We have been testing the new omnidirectional FM antenna from FM DX Antenna Co and the results have been quite exciting.
This circular-style antenna has been available in Europe for quite a while and I’ve always wanted to test one. The turn-style antennas have always been a compromise of direction because they weren’t true omni-directional (all directional) like this antenna.
The antenna is only 21″ wide and 3″ high but pulls in signals almost as well as the highly popular 1/2 wave dipole. The 1/2 wave dipole is pretty much considered the standard for omni-directional antennas but the new folded dipole is certainly a contender. We were most impressed by the professional construction of this antenna. We tested it mostly inside and on a balcony but would not hesitate to mount it outside in any environment; it is appears to be built to a very high standard and we were actually quite impressed after removing it from the package.
Because of the simple, elegant appearance of the antenna we would mount it in places we would not necessarily mount other outdoor reception antennas. Like any FM antenna the higher it is mounted, the better it will work and because of the design, it may allow mounting higher than other antennas thus allowing better reception.
The antenna retails for less than $45 USD and ships to all 50 states for less than $9 additional. International shipping ranges from $20 to $35 depending upon location and is available here.
When trying to receive FM signals at home there are a few often overlooked considerations. The one thing to remember is with the FM Broadcast Band that line of sight to the transmitter is important. The fewer obstacles between the reception antenna and the transmitter antenna the better.
1/ Height is the number one consideration in getting quality FM reception. If mounting outside try to get it above the roofline of the closest structure. If inside, put it in the attic or at the top of a closet or up in a crawl space. Reception in the attic is going to be FAR better than reception in the basement and reception in the peak of the house is going to be better than the attic floor.
2/ Keep your cable run as short as possible and use the best coax for your setup. Generally, 10 feet or less you can pretty much use any coax. 10 to 150 feet calls for RG6 and over 150 you should consider RG11 or better such as a flexible hardline depending on the total cable run. The cable is the one loss point in the reception system and it is important not to lose your signal in the cable run.
3/ Location of the antenna can also make a difference. Often moving the antenna from a few inches to a few feet one way or another can make a dramatic difference. There are a variety of reason this happens, but it is one thing that is often overlooked. Try your antenna in different spots before making a final decision and it can work better in place for one station and better in a different place for another station.
4/ Don’t use an amplifier unless it is to overcome a long cable run and then use it on the antenna end to boost the signal before it enters the coax.
5/ All tuners and receivers are not the same. Read reviews and research your tuner or receiver before choosing and determine what is important. Whether it is good quality reception or a balance with better audio presentation is something you’ll have to determine.
6/ Choose the right antenna.
All of these tips are discussed in additional detail in the FM Reception Guide.
FM DX Antenna Co is releasing a directional indoor antenna and upgrading the outstanding indoor half wave FM Dipole. Both these reception antennas are considered best values by far for their unsurpassed performance and reasonable cost.
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There was a thread recently on the Audiokarma.org FM Tuner Message Board (which I love) on indoor FM antennas. Normally I stay out of those discussions but will follow them closely but I decided to wade in this one. The post looked like a nice entry for here:
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