Posted by Paul C. [ 157.30.176.33 ] on May 27, 2006 at 08:15:19:
In Reply to: Re: AM antenna update posted by Paul C. on May 10, 2006 at 21:21:17:
More on AM antennas:
Yesterday I received a new and improved Godar Model 10 AM Antenna after returning the previous Godar 10 to the manufacturer.
http://users.mcleodusa.net/m/mgodar/MDL10.html
The original Godar Model 10 is described as a "Loop" antenna on the website, instruction sheet, and in conversation with Mike at Godar. It is not a loop design. I opened it up. It is at most, a base loaded bent whip. There is no "loop".
This new Godar AM antenna (also labeled Model 10) has a different cable, with the connector removed from one end for connection directly to your receivers AM Ant and Ground posts. New instructions warn not to use a regular cable and transformer (as supplied with the previous version).
The instructions that came with this new Godar 10 describe it as a ferrite loop. While I have not yet opened it, a quick check with my multimeter shows there is no continuity back to ground... so it is NOT a loop.
The new Godar works exactly like the previous one... it doesn't. There is no difference in signal with or without the cable screwed into the Godar antenna. As with the previous Godar antenna, signal increased if I held the antenna, and increased even more if I touched the outside of the connector.
While touching the connector on the end of the cable there was no difference in signal whether plugged into the Godar 10 or not.
This antenna was tested on an Onkyo T-4500 tuner, Onkyo TX-850 receiver, and Onkyo TX-901 receiver, all with the same poor results.
HOWEVER, this tuner and receivers work very well with a true loop, the "Ultimate AM Loop" antenna... which is simply four turns of wire around a simple wood frame.
http://members.cox.net/rwagoner/columns/am_antenna.html
The Ultimate Loop described in my previous post is the superior unit by far, and one I can recommend to everyone. Here is a kit version of the Carver Ultimate loop:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl..._Pr3_PcY_BIN_IT
The photo below is my actual kit built Ultimate. There is also available a finished version and a small finished version.
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Update: I returned the Godar antenna to the seller, who is giving me a full refund. He stated that these antennas work well for some, and don't work for others, he did not know why.
So, what I have done is sent Mike (Godar) schematics of my tuners so that he can see what might be different about my gear from others for which the Model 10 AM antenna do work with.
All of this has been frustrating, especially since I have a Godar FM1-A in the attic that works quite well. Not as well as a previous outdoor antenna (a Channelmaster, don't remember the model) that was on a mast about 10' above the peak of my roof, but still gives acceptable performance for an indoor antenna.
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