DIY AM Radio antenna? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

grinder · 2010-05-09, 04:26 PM

Quick question from a new-commer.

What would be a simple homemade antenna for the AM band? I've tried the loop and gotten OK results. What would be the next step up?

Thanks

mr weather · 2010-05-10, 09:03 AM

If you've got the real estate, put up a random length longwire. The longer (like hundreds of feet) the better.

stampeder · 2010-05-10, 02:35 PM

grinder, are you trying to improve reception on a particular station/frequency or across the entire AM radio band?

grinder · 2010-05-10, 08:28 PM

Ideally, I'd like to span the AM band for general DXing. As for the random wire, will any length do, or does it need to be calculated for some central frequency?

cfraser · 2010-05-10, 11:24 PM

^ Normally you'd make it really long and then tune it with a (believe it or not

) long wire antenna tuner. I believe MFJ still sells a fairly economical one, not hard to make one just for receiving. A long dipole is a nice not-too-difficult project. Also consider a fancy loop antenna. What is great about them is, besides being reasonably small (compared to LW or dipole), you can manually rotate them (indoors) and they can be very directional, good for mostly blocking that same-frequency station that may be coming in on top of the main one you want. There are some plans on the web.

majortom · 2010-05-11, 07:05 AM

regardless if ur going to build a dipole, a long wire, or a loop I'd consider getting a short wave radio also. Just so ya wouldn't be limited to the AM Broadcast Band. u'd get dual duty from both the s/w radio, and the antenna.

mr weather · 2010-05-11, 08:45 AM

A nice long loop antenna (say, running the perimeter of your backyard) would work well too. And an advantage is they're not as susceptible to noise as other antennas.

cfraser · 2010-05-11, 09:58 AM

^ Yes, noise pickup is the problem with many AM antennas, especially bad in an urban environment (like where I am). I quite like the loops for this. Don't compare the crappy (but still directional) loops you get with AVRs etc. with the larger ones, there is a huge difference. I am speaking of indoor loops here, never tried an outdoor one (I don't know why...).

spensar · 2010-05-11, 11:55 AM

How about a loop inside the attic? Would that work? Nothing there but insulation.

mr weather · 2010-05-11, 02:57 PM

It could. Interior antennas tend to be noisier because they pick up household EMI (motors, dimmer switches, etc.)

El Gran Chico · 2010-06-04, 09:57 PM

I hope this isn't too dumb of a question

but what gauge wire would work best?

stampeder · 2010-06-05, 01:10 PM

A big spool of something very fine (between 20AWG and 24AWG) will do great. Anything bigger is too cumbersome and doesn't help. If you have an old TV around you could carefully remove the yoke from the picture tube and use that great supply of fine copper wire. Old AM Radios have coil antennas with the perfect wire for your use.

HDTV101 · 2010-06-06, 12:23 AM

Here's how to make a really good indoor AM antenna: http://www.radiointel.com/review-amloop.htm

2010-05-09, 04:26 PM	#1
grinder Rookie Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4	DIY AM Radio antenna? Quick question from a new-commer. What would be a simple homemade antenna for the AM band? I've tried the loop and gotten OK results. What would be the next step up? Thanks

2010-05-11, 11:55 AM	#9
spensar Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,113	How about a loop inside the attic? Would that work? Nothing there but insulation. __________________ Panasonic TH-42PX60U, Harmony 670, Rogers HD 8300, 3250HD, Denon AVR-591, Chartwell SL3-5A, Venturer SHD-7000, Samsung 1600 BR.

2010-06-04, 09:57 PM	#11
El Gran Chico Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toronto/Etobicoke - Bloor/Royal York/Queensway/Islington Posts: 1,386	I hope this isn't too dumb of a question but what gauge wire would work best? __________________ Orig 4221, A-D C5, CM 7778, Aquos LC37D62U, TiVo Premiere, DTVpal DVR

2010-06-06, 12:23 AM	#13
HDTV101 Veteran Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,000	Here's how to make a really good indoor AM antenna: http://www.radiointel.com/review-amloop.htm Last edited by stampeder; 2010-06-07 at 10:33 AM.

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2010-05-10, 09:03 AM	#2
mr weather Veteran Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 1,950	If you've got the real estate, put up a random length longwire. The longer (like hundreds of feet) the better.

2010-05-10, 02:35 PM	#3
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	grinder, are you trying to improve reception on a particular station/frequency or across the entire AM radio band?

2010-05-10, 08:28 PM	#4
grinder Rookie Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4	Ideally, I'd like to span the AM band for general DXing. As for the random wire, will any length do, or does it need to be calculated for some central frequency?

2010-05-10, 11:24 PM	#5
cfraser Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pickering, Ont. Posts: 1,418	^ Normally you'd make it really long and then tune it with a (believe it or not ) long wire antenna tuner. I believe MFJ still sells a fairly economical one, not hard to make one just for receiving. A long dipole is a nice not-too-difficult project. Also consider a fancy loop antenna. What is great about them is, besides being reasonably small (compared to LW or dipole), you can manually rotate them (indoors) and they can be very directional, good for mostly blocking that same-frequency station that may be coming in on top of the main one you want. There are some plans on the web.

2010-05-11, 07:05 AM	#6
majortom Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,558	regardless if ur going to build a dipole, a long wire, or a loop I'd consider getting a short wave radio also. Just so ya wouldn't be limited to the AM Broadcast Band. u'd get dual duty from both the s/w radio, and the antenna.

2010-05-11, 08:45 AM	#7
mr weather Veteran Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 1,950	A nice long loop antenna (say, running the perimeter of your backyard) would work well too. And an advantage is they're not as susceptible to noise as other antennas.

2010-05-11, 09:58 AM	#8
cfraser Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pickering, Ont. Posts: 1,418	^ Yes, noise pickup is the problem with many AM antennas, especially bad in an urban environment (like where I am). I quite like the loops for this. Don't compare the crappy (but still directional) loops you get with AVRs etc. with the larger ones, there is a huge difference. I am speaking of indoor loops here, never tried an outdoor one (I don't know why...).

2010-05-11, 02:57 PM	#10
mr weather Veteran Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 1,950	It could. Interior antennas tend to be noisier because they pick up household EMI (motors, dimmer switches, etc.)

2010-06-05, 01:10 PM	#12
stampeder OTA Forum Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Delta, BC (96Av x 116St) Posts: 23,338	A big spool of something very fine (between 20AWG and 24AWG) will do great. Anything bigger is too cumbersome and doesn't help. If you have an old TV around you could carefully remove the yoke from the picture tube and use that great supply of fine copper wire. Old AM Radios have coil antennas with the perfect wire for your use.