I'm wondering whether we can increase the range of the radio to pick up radio stations that are far from our location. I know about increasing the range of Wi-Fi range, so there might be also a device that can increase the range of the radio.
The fact of the matter is that antennas do matter but most of the time, people don't really pay much attention to it. The good thing is that most of the FM radios have a provision for an external antenna hook up. I think that how you place the radio determines the range of reception.
gofar99 Messages: 1969 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, an external antenna is the way to go. I use a 10 element "beam" to reach stations as far as Phoenix (about 150-175 miles). It looks like a ladder laid flat. They used to be quite common, but rather scarce now. I suspect a Google search would find some. Height is also VIP. The biggest drawback is the higher the gain of the antenna, the more directional it is. Thus if you want stations that are in different directions you have a problem. Antenna rotors can fix this, but now you are getting complicated and likely costly. I personally have never had great success with FM antenna amplifiers when used on external antennas. They seemed to add as much noise as signal. If you go for an external antenna be sure to use quality wire. Both twin lead (nominal 300 ohm RF impedance) or coax (typically 75 ohm) are fine. Each has advantages and disadvantages. BTW the supposed to be super indoor powered antennas are not nearly as good. in a pinch some TV antennas that cover the VHF band (channels 2-13 in the old days) can work fairly well on FM as the FM stations are actually in between what was channel 6 and channel 7.
Thank you for the information. That is well worth saving.
Now, when you say directional, what exactly do you mean? If I am traveling east on I-40 northwest of the valley (Phx.) will I have issues picking up Phx.?
Great info in this thread. Is it advisable to also use aluminium foils or is just a myth that this greatly improves reception? Overall, I would easily go for an external antenna as I believe it to be the most effective.
gofar99 Messages: 1969 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, many TV antennas can be used for FM. The FM band is between VHF (not UHF or HD) broadcast channels 6 and 7 and it was easier to make the antennas wide band and thus cover the FM range as well. Some even had additional elements to fill in the range better as really channel 6 was way lower in frequency than 7. If you can find one, a true FM antenna is better. It will be narrower in band width and thus eliminate many of the TV signals that might interfere with FM reception. I am sure there must be sources for them still, but certainly not as common as in years ago. I guess in the long run it depends on how good your receiver is, how far away the stations are, the ability to mount an external antenna and your budget.
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