|
01-16-2006, 08:29 AM
|
#1
|
Rivet Master
2006 28' Safari SE
Currently Looking...
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 703
|
Need a better FM antenna
I want to upgrade our (OEM) roof mounted FM (and AM) antenna. I can walk 10 feet over to my truck and receive several FM stations that I can't receive in the trailer. Does anyone know of an upgrade that is a direct replacement for the factory antenna? I wonder if my truck's antenna will work?
Thanks,
Ken
__________________
4CU Charter Member
|
|
|
01-16-2006, 08:54 AM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2005 19' Safari
1968 24' Tradewind
Rural
, Delaware
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,476
|
Have you considered an in-line signal amplifier?
http://tinyurl.com/9gho9
The one on my Bambi looks like an ordinary short auto rubber FM antenna. It may just screw off like any car antenna. If so, be aware of the height of your replacement mast.
|
|
|
01-16-2006, 09:11 AM
|
#3
|
DayStreamer
2001 19' Bambi
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 163
|
If you want a very good one you might try the Terk antenna ( http://www.smarthome.com/7744f.html ). I've never tried one on an AS but do have one at our home in the mountains - its the only way we could get any FM stations.
__________________
Dave
DayStreamer
2001 19' Bambi
02 Avalanche
Mesa Arizona
AIR #5591
|
|
|
01-16-2006, 10:06 AM
|
#4
|
LEV ZEPPELIN
2004 19' International CCD
Chicago
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,048
|
We have exactly the same problem on our 19' CCD. Even when we are in range of stations I normally get in the van, they don't come in on the coach radio. Or reception is crappy.
Jonathan
__________________
Sometimes I wish I were living in the stone age. Then I would know I'm the smartest person in the world.
|
|
|
01-16-2006, 10:47 AM
|
#5
|
2 Rivet Member
2001 19' Bambi
Running Springs
, California
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 42
|
I've struggled with the same thing on my new to me 2001 Bambi. I will leave the factory antennae alone and use an xm satellite antannae that I can mount when I set up. I was thinking of a permanent install for the sat antennae, but I like to be able to put the receiver in a radio outside on a table, too. This way I have two options when set up plus I put the receiver in my TV while driving. Satellite radio really works for me because I can pick the exact content I want to listen to and I hate commercials.
|
|
|
01-16-2006, 11:18 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
1961 26' Overlander
1982 34' Limited
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 740
|
Upgrade (OEM) roof mounted FM antenna
Quote:
Originally Posted by silverback
I want to upgrade our (OEM) roof mounted FM (and AM) antenna. I can walk 10 feet over to my truck and receive several FM stations that I can't receive in the trailer. Does anyone know of an upgrade that is a direct replacement for the factory antenna? I wonder if my truck's antenna will work?Thanks,
Ken
|
Why not just put a splitter (available from Radio Shack) on your TV antenna and connect that to your FM. Should work. I think FM frequencies fall between TV channels 6 and 7 so any antenna that receives broadcast TV should also receive broadcast FM.
__________________
Airstream25
KE5CKG on 2 meters
AIR #10274
|
|
|
01-16-2006, 01:40 PM
|
#7
|
DayStreamer
2001 19' Bambi
Mesa
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 163
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Airstream25
Why not just put a splitter (available from Radio Shack) on your TV antenna and connect that to your FM.
|
Now that's a good idea - someones using their head! Simple and should be effective
__________________
Dave
DayStreamer
2001 19' Bambi
02 Avalanche
Mesa Arizona
AIR #5591
|
|
|
01-16-2006, 04:17 PM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
2005 19' Safari
1968 24' Tradewind
Rural
, Delaware
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,476
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by grizzy
Now that's a good idea - someones using their head! Simple and should be effective
|
Sure is a no-brainer, but concealing the cable from the television to the FM radio may be problematic.
|
|
|
01-16-2006, 05:05 PM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
2001 34' Limited
The State of
, Ohio
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,605
|
And there's no free lunch. A splitter has loss and the signal to the TV will be reduced.
__________________
Maurice
|
|
|
01-16-2006, 05:20 PM
|
#10
|
AIR #8691
2006 25' Safari SS SE
Northern
, Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 381
|
I recall that back in the 1960’s when FM was really starting to takeover or push-out popular AM radio stations that there was a way to made your own FM antenna out of TV cable. Not coax cable but that flat two wire kind that went to the TV antenna. The improvised FM antenna is shaped like a “T” with each end of the top part having it’s two conductors connected together.
I think the important dimension is the length of the horizontal part of the “T.” Since FM broadcasts between TV channels 6 and 7 the length of the “T” must be the reciprocal of that frequency band to match the desired FM wavelengths in inches. Perhaps someone has the necessary dimensions and can share them.
|
|
|
04-02-2006, 06:38 AM
|
#11
|
Moderator Emeritus
1972 31' Sovereign
High Springs
, Florida
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 2,311
|
L(feet)=468/Frequency For a half wave dipole.
__________________
ARS WA8ZYT
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 D/A Ext. Cab
Propane Powered Honda EU2000i
Lots of Hot Sauce!
Air # 283
WBCCI 1350
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|