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Antennas Poll

202.147.81.170
Posted on June 11, 2004 at 15:20:43
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 Mine are a big long LPD yagi at the top of the mast >10 ft long.

The other VHF job is an old TV antenna, a phased array of two H's vertical, stacked side by side, in the frame. The forward elements are shorterr than the back ones all 4 are made from 3mm thick extruded / solid tubing.

For AM, I use a random long-wire about 60 ft long up high, to a neighbour's chimney. the down lead is 300 ohm ribbon one side uncinnected at the antenna end but to ground at the other. The wire is is tuned in with a tapped coil/rod and a vane cap on top of the Kenwood.

There are piccies at the FM Yahoo group or the antennas site.

It is NOT impossible to have an external antenn in the USA the FCC will even help you. Depends who runs your home, too, I suppose. ;-)!

Warmest,


Timbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger
Peace

 

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Outdoor TV antenna (not sure of brand) in attic ...., posted on June 11, 2004 at 16:06:01
blueingreen
Audiophile

Posts: 41
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: April 9, 2004
 that gives very good reception and 2 Radio Shack 15-1828 amplified indoor antenna as backups incase of problems. I'm in the outer fringe of the city so most stations come in strong and clear.

 

Re: Antenna Pole, posted on June 11, 2004 at 17:44:19
Billoradio@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2094
Joined: December 27, 2003
 The 10 foot pole is a good idea. Use 2 5' sections, assemble everything then plug them together.
Dont forget that some TV antennas have a built in FM trap and might not be too good for FM.

Bill

 

10 feet!????? Mine's longer than that! and very, very, stiff!, posted on June 11, 2004 at 20:53:11
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 It is some 30 or so feet high made of several bits of galvanised pipe, sleeved inside to make joints, together and bolted, there are two joints / three sections visible, plus two inside. It is more like >30 foot long /high, two wall mounts, and one eave mount, and I still haven't guyed it. (Scrounged bits? you betcha!)

There are closed ring bolts at top and middle, to retain the rope I use to raise and lower the AM Wire antenna, and a deck lashing ( -.- ) near the mast's base.

The end at the bottom has a welded T-piece of pipe bolted into its bottom, to let me rotate the mast for aim. I use another very stiff pieceo'pipe, so it's rather like the top of a post-hole digger, but upside down.

Not that aiming needs doing very often. [ONE very high telecom tower and restaurant / tourist trap / thing on one big hill.] Even commercial FM stations have to use it!

The mast my be lowered into a 6 ft section of 4inch PVC pipe, set into the ground vertically, with a cap on each end, so I can just reach the top.

There are three ground rods of copper plated steel banged in, one of 12 ft, two 8 ft. My forearms were numb for a week.

IME Antennas really matter, as do down-leads and feed lines, and earthing. One day I really will run a ground plane of wires, under the soil, to help the AM wire.

The only thing I need to add is a hand-winch, with a ratchet, to raise it, and lower it under control, with the knife edge clamps undone so they don't snatch at the mast / the bolts. Bloody thing is HEAVY, 3 antennas plus mast plus 50 ft of RG6 and RG11 cable.

JBTW there's a post by me in 'vintage' I think by me about TVI and RFI. A real saga.

Warmest,



Timbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger
Peace

 

Re: Antennas Poll, posted on June 11, 2004 at 21:46:49
Magnetar
 The Radio Shack Yagi and a Winegaurd rotor -- it kicks some butt.

Magnetar

 

Re: Antennas Poll, posted on June 12, 2004 at 05:03:43
Scholl


 
Simple cheap attic mounted dipole that the previous owner installed. The half dozen stations we like are all within 20 miles and can be gotten with a 79 cent T but the attic mounted dipole drasticly cuts the noise down.

 

anything worth doing is worth doing to excess, posted on June 12, 2004 at 11:05:36
Billoradio@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2094
Joined: December 27, 2003
 Nice job. A strong wind would flip your house on it's side.

Do you DX/

Bill

 

FM DX? Nope, posted on June 12, 2004 at 17:55:17
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 I do try with AM on the SW and MW bands the 'tuner' has, but I think I would need a proper directional (tunable loop) antenna for that! My main reason for wanting hi-fi mono AM is the ABC's two services local and national both of which I value highly.

I am an ex-grunt (AOT!?) who was a Coy signaller, to Cpl for a time, and later went over to B'n Int, from Sgt up to WO2 / SgtMajor. So I do know the issues and the tech side, a bit, mostly I carried an ANPRC 9, 9A or 25 back pack set.

At other times I was responsible for installing and maintaining the Battalion's G, A, and Q nets, usually run on the Australian designed A510. Tuned by crystals and each often need a vertical end-fed or a tuned long wire antenna. I was glad that as a kid climbing trees was a passion!

http://www.qsl.net/vk4czt/a510.htm

I know that even at HF or lower, antennas and their position matter, why is the good spot always 'out of cover' but, eh!

In Canberra in the ACT (+ Queenbeyan NSW) in Oz, we have the (public) ABC's 2 X FM stations (national networks) and the 'classical and jazz' one doesn't use any compression, except during 'drive times'. It is akin to the BEEB's Radio 3, and a VERY strong signal, by laws about coverage. It, and Canberra's local community arts and music station are what I listen to. I have always hated commercial radio, even when it was just AM, so the rest are of just > zero interest to me.

Most of the other local FM stations, incl. my no. 2 above, also transmit from that one big tower. Don't need a rotator.

But, we are right smack in the middle of the Great Dividing range running down the entire east coast of Australia. Canberra is VERY spread out in and among these hills, bowls and valleys. Lots of hills and Multipath, hence the long / large antennas and tall mast. We have hills over 1000 metres ASL, all around us within 2-3 miles.

The nearest FM sources outside the local region, are > 100km away in all directions and are mostly commercial stations, or low powered rural repeaters for the ABC which I don't need. Further, the mountains make DXing extremely difficult.

Tube front end means low sensitivity, it uses a Foster-Seeley detector! and needs hard driving, but geez is it quiet if you do.

The tube IF stage, when in full limiting, produces a range of harmonics right up into VHF III and UHF IV and V, which goes out up the cable. I posted here at AA about the TVI / RFI saga this caused me. The thing I learned is that even qualified technical advisors have to 'GET the context', before they will give you practical and sensible advice.

You may enjoy the story, do a search under my moniker as Author and TVI and RFI.

One other thing about tube tuners is the 'magic eyes'. I just love 'em, silly old me!?

I would love to use a pr for level meters!



Timbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger
Peace

 

AND the distortion too!, posted on June 12, 2004 at 18:05:10
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 didja know that?

Clarity and expression improve too.

Let alone allowing you to approach their stated specs:- Sensitivity, Adj.Ch., Alt. Ch. selectivity, and capture ratio., specs.

I feel very strongly that antennas matter, outweighing tuner differences. I'm an ex-grunt sig too ;-0.

Putting tuners ahead of antennas smacks to me of the conspicuous consumption ethic so prevalent at GENERAL that it makes a soft target!

Viz there ARE certainly many Accuphases, (look! $$$$$$$$!) sans external antennas, in HK, Singapore, KL and Japan,in ferroconcrete blocks of flats. Let alone tubed Leak Troughlines and Quad FM3's.

Warmest,


Timbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger
Peace

 

Re: AND the distortion too!, posted on June 13, 2004 at 06:26:35
Scholl


 
Yes, everyone should have at least an attic mounted dipole. It's 20.00 and an afternoon well spent. IF they can fit it and mount it the better radio shack or other more costly rotor mounted antenna is the way to go.

There's no excuse to not have the simplest antenna. It in of itself is an improvement.

 

Fanfare, posted on June 13, 2004 at 17:29:32
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16244
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 It's ok. Some day, I'll mount it even though we're not supposed to have outdoor antennas here. Right now, the cable goes out one window up to a second floor window above. The height helps.

 

the FCC ruling?!!!, posted on June 13, 2004 at 21:27:22
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 tell them it's a CH6 tv antenna.

my symp's mate.


Timbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger
Peace

 

Re: Fanfare, posted on June 13, 2004 at 22:08:11
EJ
Audiophile

Posts: 72
Location: So. Cal
Joined: October 25, 2000
 I am also using a Fanfare, it seems to work well here in Los Angeles and I can even listen to San Diego stations. I have mine on the roof and I like the factit isn't real obvious.

 

Which one?, posted on June 14, 2004 at 09:44:05
Scholl


 
The FM-2G looks great for those who don't want to mess with rotors or who have limited space.

 

2G - simple whip (nt), posted on June 14, 2004 at 12:53:24
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16244
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 .

 

I see you have some top tuners, posted on June 14, 2004 at 13:32:15
Scholl


 
How does the 2G work with the 200B compared to a simple dipole?

If I were to get one it would be used with the KM60 which has a similar front end to the 200B and the MR67 which has a more complicated front end. The simple dipole works well with these but on stations where it's pointed. Some stations in the other direction a week.

 

Re: Antennas Poll, posted on June 14, 2004 at 15:52:26
Passive Chappy


 
Terk FM Pro 50. Until I get a house it's the best I can do. not bad, but I'll be glad when I can put it in a proper place.

 

Re: I see you have some top tuners, posted on June 14, 2004 at 17:20:34
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16244
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 I never really tried a dipole on the 200B. In general, the 2G is a better antenna and getting it up high works much better. The 200B does sound great, but only with a strong signal. The 10B is more sensitive and is the best sounding. The MR 78 is close in sound, but is the king for sensitivity.

 

FM Reflect...., posted on June 14, 2004 at 21:51:20
Marc Bratton
Audiophile

Posts: 4916
Joined: June 15, 2000
 an inside dipole with a difference. Since moving to the 2nd story of my condo, stations that were marginal or noisy now are pegging the meter....height helps a LOT! And this from Albuquerque, 50 miles line of sight.

 

Whoops I forgot - re Fanfare's FM2G! A review?!, posted on June 15, 2004 at 19:17:53
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 I do have one, and I have tested it up on the roof! It WAS given to me.

AND, it works, kinda, but it just can't reject multipath, CF the big LPD/yagi, and SS is insufficient to get to full limiting on station 2, of 2 that I care about.

Next time we go down the coast for a holiday I will take it. AND a ribbon dipole! ;-).


Timbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger
Peace

 

OK, since you cajoled us...., posted on June 16, 2004 at 10:23:03
mrh (Mark Hardy)
Audiophile

Posts: 16018
Location: New England
Joined: October 12, 1999
Contributor
  Since: October 23, 2016
 ... in your other thread.

I will, with great embarassment, admit that I own several small RadioShack indoor amplified settop AM/FM antennas (antennae). Also one Parsec antenna of very similar design/construction. I am so ashamed... You see, I live in the deep suburbs, but the roof of my house is too steep for me to go up there and put up a Yagi. And I could put one in the attic, but then there are those wires to worry about, and, and... OK, so I am a wuss :-)

I DO have a "Select-A-Tenna" for AM DXing, and I've experimented a little with home-made loops. Maybe that'll redeem me a little?


all the best,
mrh

 

My drill press makes a good AM antenna, posted on June 16, 2004 at 11:53:21
drystream
Audiophile

Posts: 204
Location: Denver
Joined: September 6, 2001
 I've got an Optonica receiver set up in my shop, right next to the floor-standing drill press. I was fooling around one day, trying to improve the AM reception (FM is via a MD ST-2). I had a 6' length of 18 ga speaker wire hooked up to the AM connection on the receiver, and happened to touch the end of the wire against the drill press.

Instantly got great reception for a station that I really like, but have problems bringing in. Doesn't seem to matter if the drill press (a Jet 17") is plugged in or not, or running or not.

 

Re: Antennas Poll, posted on June 16, 2004 at 15:05:08
TL
Audiophile

Posts: 305
Location: California
Joined: March 31, 2000
 Like Rod, I'm not allowed external antennas where I live so I use an Audio Prism 8500. Big and expensive but best of the indoor antennas I've tried.

 

Re: Antennas Poll, posted on June 16, 2004 at 18:30:55
default
Audiophile

Posts: 336
Location: Midwest
Joined: November 13, 2002
 Radio Shack FM only Yagi, (pretty big, must be at least 6' length wise), mounted in the attic with a very clean RG6 run between it and the tuner.


 

RF is WEIRD stuff! yep!, posted on June 16, 2004 at 20:01:40
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 You may be listening 'partly' to the coils in the motor, via some stray capacitive coupling. wots it do to the already 'good' stations but!

"don't get the antenna wet" we were told in the harmy.

Well yeah, but if the humidity is > 80% all the time, wotcha gunna do!

climb a tree!

Me, I was rather keen on lying down, after all it was all the rage with everyone else.


Timbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger
Peace

 

nah, I wuz only 'havin' a lend of yez'., posted on June 16, 2004 at 20:08:03
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 But, I still reckon WAF is a mere variant of Mommism, see. ;-)

AM loops are amazing ain't they?

I don't really need one, as the 2 I want, are in the same direction in a big antenna farm area Nth of Canberra where the RAN, RAAF, etc etc usetah have all their big things on towers and running between them.

so, a tuned long-wire is fine.

Don't listen to commercial radio! don't have ter.

Powered FM 'tennas generally are a noise source, but they CAN work. Heaps of people buy 'em and Terk etc haven't been sued yet?


Timbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger
Peace

 

Am loops, posted on June 21, 2004 at 14:10:03
Billoradio@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2094
Joined: December 27, 2003
 FYI
The old brown Radio Shack tunable loop that you put next to your portable radio works better then the current Terk version. It pulls in considerably better. If you have not experimented with one have fun.

Bill

 

Re: Antennas Poll, posted on June 24, 2004 at 04:59:09
3moons
Audiophile

Posts: 259
Location: Texas
Joined: January 16, 2002
 An APS-9 fifteen feet above the roof line. Radio Shack rotator. If you can, do put up and external antenna. Even if you have no rotator. The Yahoo group below is a place you can post your antenna photos, if you're proud of them. Timbo's is there as is mine and other members. jim...

 

Re: Antennas Poll, posted on July 5, 2004 at 16:18:24
Bill Way
 New York apartment antenna -- can be discreetly mounted on the windowsill:

Half-wave dipole (RS rabbit ears)
fed to low-loss 1:1 voltage balun (broadcast type)
fed to co-ax
fed to variable attenuator (1k pot, well shielded)
fed to Mac MR-77
with an old Tektronics scope to monitor the RF goings-on

past option: Chris Scott notch filter -- if you need one, he does a superb job.

I get 35 stations very listenable and about another 5 marginal with this mounted on the 22nd floor of a lower Manhattan building oriented for NE/SW.

 

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