Radio Road

• Thanks for the support, guys! AND one more point! - Timbo in Oz 16:33:45 12/28/06 (0)
  In Reply to: I'd need to know about where your desired stations are, from where you are? And your external antenna plans / budget? posted by Timbo in Oz on December 27, 2006 at 20:06:16:

  Do not, repeat NOT, buy an 'amplified indoor FM antenna', which, almost always, just make things worse.

  AND it is possible to have an external antenna the FFC has a ruling that can help you knock / nail local rules down FLAT.

  
  Warmest

  Timbo in Oz
  The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger

  'Still not saluting.'

  Read about and view system at:

  http://www.theanalogdept.com/tim_bailey.htm
  
  
  

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• Re: I'd need to know about where your desired stations are, from where you are? And your external antenna plans / budget - JGK 22:35:00 12/27/06 (4)
  In Reply to: I'd need to know about where your desired stations are, from where you are? And your external antenna plans / budget? posted by Timbo in Oz on December 27, 2006 at 20:06:16:

  Hello,

  My stereo can pick up an NPR station but not the other one (this one 23 miles away). I tried my clock radio and it was the same results. In both cases indoor wire antennas were used. I think I need a better tuner.

  Thanks.

  -Joe
  
  

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  • NOPE, I disagree, what you almost certainly NEED is a much better antenna preferably external - Timbo in Oz 16:27:51 12/28/06 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: I'd need to know about where your desired stations are, from where you are? And your external antenna plans / budget posted by JGK on December 27, 2006 at 22:35:00:

    Pur in some extra wall-plate outlets for the two portables, too if you like.

    When WILL people get this - that the tuner can only ever be as good as its antenna. The antenna and tuner can only be usefully considered as a single 'radio system' / together!

    At FM frequencies wavelengths are about a meter long.

    FM's sound quality - 'in stereo' - can ONLY be maximised by a directional antenna with gain - IMO & LONG experience, and - by definition - in it's operation.

    The two whips sold by MD and Fanfare are re-badged boat antennas which can be bought at ships chandlers for a good deal less! They are a rip off, see?

    A decent folded dipole (mostly made of TV ribbon and less than 10 bucks) and oriented for each station will nearly always be better than a whip, so would a set of TV rabbit ears! ? Yep!

    You may be able to stretch some wire rhombics on yr ceiling or under a big rug pointed at yr two desired stations.

    Do some searches here about rhombics, IMO the only really serious indoor antenna that can match or better external directional antennas (ones with a boom and elements across it).

    
    Warmest

    Timbo in Oz
    The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger

    'Still not saluting.'

    Read about and view system at:

    http://www.theanalogdept.com/tim_bailey.htm
    
    
    

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  • Re: I'd need to know about where your desired stations are, from where you are? And your external antenna plans / budget - Ron Oehlert 13:26:33 12/28/06 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: I'd need to know about where your desired stations are, from where you are? And your external antenna plans / budget posted by JGK on December 27, 2006 at 22:35:00:

    Seems as if indoor antennas are not performing too well in your location since TWO tuners have similar results. I doubt a 3rd (or 4th) tuner will benefit any greater from an identical indoor antenna. Any metal house siding? Does your automoboile radio do any better in the driveway? San Francisco & L.A. have numerous hills & valleys that impede line-of-sight reception from the broadcast antenna (you have NOT mentioned where in Calif. you reside). Place your indoor antenna outside (via an open window) & discover if this improves & pay attention to the direction from your home to the desired broadcast antennas such that your house is not blocking signal. Use the maps from below link, the station's street addy is never the antenna location.
    

    • USA Radio Locator   (Open in New Window)

    
    

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  • Better tuner, or better antenna? - Dave Kingsland 11:13:03 12/28/06 (1)
    In Reply to: Re: I'd need to know about where your desired stations are, from where you are? And your external antenna plans / budget posted by JGK on December 27, 2006 at 22:35:00:

    I don't think upgrading to any of the tuners you mention will help much, if any, unless you plan to use a better antenna. A wire just didn't work for me except on strong local stations. Considering it's 23 miles away, and because it's an NPR station it's probably near the low (unfavorable) end of the FM band, and possibly low power as well, I doubt you'll do any better than mono with a wire antenna.

    As far as *new* tuners go, I second bobp's suggestion for the Marantz ST-6000. I think you can still get them from Cambridge Soundworks on the web.

    Dave
    
    
    

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    • Agree! NT - lancelot 11:24:21 12/28/06 (0)
      In Reply to: Better tuner, or better antenna? posted by Dave Kingsland on December 28, 2006 at 11:13:03:

      NT
      
      

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