2. tech-talk
  3. 1186853052

Cheap DIY FM Antenna

I bought a used Sansui TU-217 some months ago just to have some background music in my living room, I have two questions:

1-There are 2 300 ohm and 1 75 ohm taps in the back of the unit, which one should I use ?

2-My current antenna is a piece of wire connected to the 300 ohm tap. I don't receive some station correctly so I would like to build a small antenna. Thing is I don't have space to have a 3 feet piece of wire hanging inside my living room. Also I live in an apartment so putting it in the roof is not an option.

What can I build that's small and serves the purpose ?

Thanks !!!
foxtrot
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Yes...go with the $4 dipole at RS...

Take no offense Doyle, but you live in Metro NYC where there are lots of stations nearby. I am surprised you need a amplified antenna, but I'll bet it is your building.

Move to a more suburban or rural area and you'll find out that the Terk is not really all that good.

The best thing is a real roof or attic VHF antenna, but I guess you can't do that..
foxtrot OP
211 posts
 
Thanks, I will try to R.S. dipole.
prefab
52 posts
 
Go to a TV store and buy the cheapest set of rabbit ears you can find. Most of mine were bought for under $10 at Fry's electronics in Austin TX. My rabbit ears have outperformed any powered antenna I have used before. Powered antennas tend to amplify their own noise.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Just as an added FYI...
The entire FM band is between the VHF TV channels 6 and 7.
This is why the rabbit ears will work, or actually any VHF TV antenna.
foxtrot OP
211 posts
 
Thanks Prefab and Sugarbrie, I will also try that, I guess the rabbit won't mid hanging upside down behind my rack...or does the antenna need to be placed the other way round ?
More to discover