Need help with FM antenna and outdoor speaker setup...

[etecnifibre]

I have a Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH upstairs, and want to run a pair of outdoor speakers on the 2nd or 3rd zone. I would love to have something to where I can control the volume and switching stations without having to run upstairs. Do they make an outdoor unit that connects into the base receiver? I would buy a separate remote, of course.<p>
And as for the antenna, I just need something to pick up a few more stations. The receiver came with a tiny little wire that gets about 3 stations.<p>
Thanks for any help/suggestions.

 

[markw]

For your remote control issues, this should solve your problem. You can use your existing remote.

As for your FM situation, a lot depends on your locataion and that of the radio stations you want to receive. Use this little toy to see what's in your area.

hint: Use the "advanced search" option and search on your zip code.

This should have given you a listing of stations, their location and the distance between you and them. you know the local terrain better than I so I'll just talk in generalities.

Flat terrain or water between you and them is the best. If there are any hills, mountians, large buildings and such between you and the station, your reception will be hindered.

Likewise, distance plays a part here. The farther you are, the more antenna you'll need.

If you want a cute little thing that sits on top of your set, fine, but don't expect good performance. No tiny piece of metal with an amplifier is any match for a "real" antenna, which I'll discuss below.

If all the stations are in the same direction, you can use a directional (yagi design) antenna. Like a magnifying glass, it picks up stations at a greater distance, but in only one direction. It basically ignores stations to the sides or back. These come in all sizes. The bigger the antenna, the greater distance they will serve.

If you live in an urban or suburban location with stations all around you, you may get by with an omidirectional antenna. It doesn't have the range of a yagi but it picks up equally well in all directions. I'm right outside of NYC and these serve my needs nicely.

Dunno why I can't embed this but here's examples. www.antennacraft.net/FM.html.

Both of these should fit in an attic, but the higher they are, the better they will perform. And I hope you don't have much metal in your building or the sides. That hurts their performance.

 

[Rickster71]

I just put one of the antennas Mark mentioned (FM6) in my attic. It works very well.
I also used the Radio Locator Mark mentioned, it really help me when it came to aiming my antenna precisely at the transmitter I wanted.

 

[Knucklehead90]

I also have an FM6 antenna. It is highly directional so I don't think an attic is the best spot for it unless you have the room for it to turn - a rotor would be ideal in that case. Unless your signals all come from one direction it is weak at picking up stations at the sides and rear - by design.

I live in an area where all but 2 FM stations are further than 2 miles - like 25 - 50 - and 120 miles. I can pick up the stations at 120 miles but it isn't very clear. 50 miles and in this antenna works very good - with good signal strength within 15 deg off center.

markw - that 'toy' is a great find. I've never seen that before. You get a thumbs up 'thanks'.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The Pioneer Elites don't have internet radio?

 

[etecnifibre]

Thanks for the responses. I was looking for something to solve my remote problems that would be weatherproof, though I could work around this issue. I didn't even think about the transmitters. I was hoping to get something like Bose offers with their system, something I could mount onto the side of the house with it's own remote, etc, but the transmitters would definitely work.

As for the antenna, well, I live in the middle of everything. Most of the stations are in Louisville, only a couple in Cincy I'm interested in. I have plenty of attic space, and it's easily accessible. Picking up both the Louisville and Cincy stations would be a priority for me.

Paradigm Dawg, I have no idea. There is so much crap in my house that connects to everything else, I'd spend half my life trying to figure it all out. I'm really content just listening over the airwaves.

On a side note, I'm thinking about getting a 7.1 Paradigm system, so I might be in contact with you after we get a little more settled into our new house.

Edit:
Mark, I just tried your radio station locator, and while I've lived here my whole life and pretty much know what's what, I don't see a 93.1, WTFX in my area, which is the station I really want. I searched 47250. They used to be 100.5, which was picked up here, got in trouble with the FCC for not using edited versions of songs and had to go to the weaker 93.1. I can pick it up when I get about 1/2 way to Louisville. I also need to pick up 102.7 out of Cincy, which I can get in my car as long as I'm not downtown in the river valley.

 

[markw]

Thanks for the responses. I was looking for something to solve my remote problems that would be weatherproof, though I could work around this issue. I didn't even think about the transmitters. I was hoping to get something like Bose offers with their system, something I could mount onto the side of the house with it's own remote, etc, but the transmitters would definitely work.

Remember, the Bose is designed as a system, not with aftermarket add-ons. Perhaps there are some proessional installers who do this for a living in your area. Maybe they could provide a few more options but they will most likely require professional installation and setup but it may cost a bit more.

As for the antenna, well, I live in the middle of everything. Most of the stations are in Louisville, only a couple in Cincy I'm interested in. I have plenty of attic space, and it's easily accessible. Picking up both the Louisville and Cincy stations would be a priority for me.

I'm not familiar with the geography or the mileage involved in your situation. You are. Check that link out. It provides a fairly comprehensive explanation of what can be done and with what. Then check the distance ratings of the antennas and do the math. But, there are more powerful yagi (directional) antennas out there but they are only good for one direction. Sometimes ya gotta make a choice. FM is funny like that.

Mark, I just tried your radio station locator, and while I've lived here my whole life and pretty much know what's what, I don't see a 93.1, WTFX in my area, which is the station I really want. I searched 47250. They used to be 100.5, which was picked up here, got in trouble with the FCC for not using edited versions of songs and had to go to the weaker 93.1. I can pick it up when I get about 1/2 way to Louisville. I also need to pick up 102.7 out of Cincy, which I can get in my car as long as I'm not downtown in the river valley.

Dunno what to say about that. I make no claims for the accuracy of that site's data. But, anything will be better than that little wire. Mount it as high up on the roof as possible for the best performance. Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice. Good luck.

 

[etecnifibre]

I'm about 55 miles to Cincy, and 41 to Louiville. But, the Cincy stations come in better since they are broadcasting from the hilltop as opposed to down by the Ohio River.

I'll look at the antennas you suggested, thanks.

 

[daiva]

as far as waterproof goes try dolphin remote at smarthome dot com