Looking for FM Antenna for Digital Reception

HQS · 2009-11-03, 03:00 PM

Hello folks,

With the addition of OTA HD/SD video transmission's recently, I would also like to take advantage of the Digital FM that is also available to us.
My question to you all is what is the best FM Antenna to use for our digital age?

thanks,

HQS

300ohm · 2009-11-03, 04:50 PM

The only digital "FM" station I have is an audio only sub-channel of a PBS TV station, which is on an UHF frequency.

stampeder · 2009-11-03, 09:01 PM

HQS, check Winegard's site since they still manufacture them while Wade has apparently discontinued the excellent Delhi FM line.

From your location in Niagara you probably want a classic turnstile type so that your reception is omnidirectional for the HD Radio stations in upstate New York and the conventional stations in Canada.

Do you have an HD Radio tuner? Here's the best FM tuner I've ever heard, which gets HD Radio and is quite cheap: Sony XDR-F1HD Tuner for HD Radio

holl_ands · 2009-11-07, 11:46 AM

FM Antenna performance curves are found here:
http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/curves.htm
NEC Simulation files & runs are found here:
http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/

FM Antenna Comparison tests:
http://kalx.berkeley.edu/recept/antsurvy.htm
http://www.dtvusaforum.com/dtv-hdtv-...html#post21146

Here's are some lists of FM Antenna specifications with cost & sources:
http://www.aphenos.net/misc/electron...g_Antennas.htm
http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/antennas.html

Some low-gain alternatives:
http://www.fmdxantenna.com/products.php?cat=8
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/mwant.html
http://wslr.org/wp-content/uploads/2...structions.pdf

=============================================
You should enter your Lat/Long coordinates into www.fmfool.com to see what you
can receive from Fonthill, ON. Omni (even indoor) will get plenty of strong stations,
but you might want a high gain antenna with narrow beamwidth and high F/B Ratio to
suppress local stations if they are adjacent/next-adjacent to a weak desired station.
Chart at bottom has the colorized "predictions" for weak stations, since the textual
list only has the strongest stations listed.

2009-11-03, 03:00 PM	#1
HQS Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 27	Looking for FM Antenna for Digital Reception Hello folks, With the addition of OTA HD/SD video transmission's recently, I would also like to take advantage of the Digital FM that is also available to us. My question to you all is what is the best FM Antenna to use for our digital age? thanks, HQS

2009-11-03, 04:50 PM	#2
300ohm Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Somewhere in Delaware Posts: 3,258	The only digital "FM" station I have is an audio only sub-channel of a PBS TV station, which is on an UHF frequency. __________________ My SBGH/DBGH Gen I & II Plans are in the sticky at the top of this forum

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2009-11-03, 09:01 PM	#3
stampeder Jon L. (OTA Moderator) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC Posts: 15,276	HQS, check Winegard's site since they still manufacture them while Wade has apparently discontinued the excellent Delhi FM line. From your location in Niagara you probably want a classic turnstile type so that your reception is omnidirectional for the HD Radio stations in upstate New York and the conventional stations in Canada. Do you have an HD Radio tuner? Here's the best FM tuner I've ever heard, which gets HD Radio and is quite cheap: Sony XDR-F1HD Tuner for HD Radio

2009-11-07, 11:46 AM	#4
holl_ands Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 382	FM Antenna performance curves are found here: http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/curves.htm NEC Simulation files & runs are found here: http://www.ham-radio.com/k6sti/ FM Antenna Comparison tests: http://kalx.berkeley.edu/recept/antsurvy.htm http://www.dtvusaforum.com/dtv-hdtv-...html#post21146 Here's are some lists of FM Antenna specifications with cost & sources: http://www.aphenos.net/misc/electron...g_Antennas.htm http://www.fmtunerinfo.com/antennas.html Some low-gain alternatives: http://www.fmdxantenna.com/products.php?cat=8 http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/mwant.html http://wslr.org/wp-content/uploads/2...structions.pdf ============================================= You should enter your Lat/Long coordinates into www.fmfool.com to see what you can receive from Fonthill, ON. Omni (even indoor) will get plenty of strong stations, but you might want a high gain antenna with narrow beamwidth and high F/B Ratio to suppress local stations if they are adjacent/next-adjacent to a weak desired station. Chart at bottom has the colorized "predictions" for weak stations, since the textual list only has the strongest stations listed.