Tweaker's Asylum

• Whips are for Whackas! - Timbo in Oz 05:31:36 03/19/03 (0)
  In Reply to: DIY FM antenna posted by EKG on March 17, 2003 at 05:47:01:

  Do have a look at the Intenna by APS, see the yahoo tuner group and the TIC site for their URL.

  This will way outperform the Dynalab whip, for which you can buy an equivalent at marine shops for 1/3rd the price anyway. I have one of these anyway, and it is a joke, even compared to an ordinary ribbon dipole.

  The Intenna is inside a cardboard tube, which you could cover with nice fabric too. It may not work real well in the one corner you have in mind for it though.

  RF is like that.

  
  Timbo in Oz

  
  
  

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• Re: DIY FM antenna - Glenn2 15:53:52 03/18/03 (0)
  In Reply to: DIY FM antenna posted by EKG on March 17, 2003 at 05:47:01:

  All you need is a simple vertical dipole.

  Simply attach two pieces of wire or metal to the end of some 75-ohm coaxial cable. One to the centre core and one to the screen. Extend them in opposite directions. Done.

  Each 'arm' needs to be 95% of a quarter of the wavelength of the middle of the FM band (98MHz).

  So, wavelength = speed of electromagnetic radiation / frequency
  =299,792,458 / 98,000,000 = 300/98 = 3.06 metres

  Divide by 4 to get 1/4 wavelength (the antenna must be 1/2 wavelength in total) and chop off 5% because the electrical length and the physical length of the antenna are different.

  (3.06 / 4) * 0.95 = 0.726 metres = 72.6cm (28.6 inches)

  So, a piece of coax with a 28-inch piece of wire attached to the core and another to the screen and you're done.

  It's usually better to have the one connected to the centre going up and the other down but try both ways. I find wire better as you can fiddle with it more and hang it across windows where it will work better, and it's easier to attach (i.e., solder). If you mount it horizontally, it will be bi-directional and may work better if you hang it over the window facing the direction of the main transmitting aerial.

  If there's a particular station you want to optimise it for, just change the 98 to whatever you need.

  Glenn
  
  

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• Try the Co-Tanger. - Bill Fitzmaurice 06:49:14 03/17/03 (0)
  In Reply to: DIY FM antenna posted by EKG on March 17, 2003 at 05:47:01:

  Very inexpensive, works quite well, and you can easily hide/find one in your clothes closet. For more details check out Dick Smith Electronics (Australia).
  
  

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• Head over to... - Tromatic 06:44:28 03/17/03 (0)
  In Reply to: DIY FM antenna posted by EKG on March 17, 2003 at 05:47:01:

  FMtunerinfo.com and root around there, or check the link.
  Matthew
  Default Signature Line
  

  • FM Tuner Group

  
  

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• Magnum DynaLab? - Response34 06:37:10 03/17/03 (0)
  In Reply to: DIY FM antenna posted by EKG on March 17, 2003 at 05:47:01:

  Have you looked at this unit. I have an associate using this antenna standing in a corner of his basement and it does a nice job pulling in stations. Cost only $99. Copy and paste the link below if you want more info. I am not in any way associated with them. Just a recommendation.

  http://www.magnumdynalab.com/home.html
  Happy Listening,
  Bill
  
  

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