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Outdoor FM Antenna

Unlike a few years ago not much options are available for a dedicated FM Broadcast antenna. Forget TV antenna that have no gain on FM ALI has inexpensive FM antennas with many elements but shipping is $150 to $260 dollars- too expensive. Wilson sells an FM antenna for $350- again too expensive. The only reasonable 4 cost option is Stellar Labs four element on eBay for $68 shipped. This horizontal mount antenna will receive full power FM stationers away with full quieting up to about 60 miles away in flat terrain. Two antennas could be bought taking the first two elements of one and use a 3/4" EMT conduit coupling attaching the two front elements to the four element to get 6 elements. This should receive FM stations to perhaps 80 miles away. For four elements 1 inch EMT for 15 foot length should be ok with 50 MPH winds. A wooden dowel inside the conduit in top section with mounting clamp at bottom 5 feet from house will allow much higher wind speed. EMT conduit is expensive thus two sections of 2" EMT costs about $135. The wood dowel is mandatory with 6 elements or use a roof mount tri-pod.

jimbennet
jpwarren58
741 posts
 

Would be amiss not to mention the state of your tuner.  For info see FMtuner.com.

jimbennet OP
193 posts
 

In Washington DC how can an FM station generate money on advertising with a limited 20 miles radius. FM stations are usually built to provide a 45 miles radius of coverage using antenna height of at least 1000 feet.

barry2013's avatar
barry2013
32 posts
 

Thanks Jim

Yes I appreciate shipping from the UK pushes up the price.

That said I think people in the market for an FM aerial would be well advised to check out the Ron Smith site before making a final decision

lewm
14,647 posts
 

I’d wager that at least 10-12 million people live within a 22 mile radius of Washington DC. ( The approximate distance to the horizon at 330 feet above sea level.) Is that a big enough audience? By the way, according to the internet, a1000 foot antenna gets you only 32 miles, not 45. Also, Florida is mostly flat and close to sea level, so part of that 1000 foot mast is to make up for being so near to sea level.

jimbennet OP
193 posts
 

Washington DC population is 710,000 not 12 million. Half are kids with no purchasing power. My antenna is not on the ground,  it is above ground at 20 feet above ground thus. 45 miles is line of site to my antenna.  You sure are striking out.

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