With an FM radio you can build an effective antenna system that will increase your reception. An antenna collects radio signals and delivers more reception to the receiver than would otherwise be supplied. Outdoor antennas give better reception than indoor antennas. The highest point is usually best for getting better signals. Different points in your home have varying levels of reception. If you stand near your radio or touch the antenna and the signal improves, you need more antenna. A directional or turn-able antenna is preferred to a stationary antenna.

Things You'll Need

   * FM radio
   * Antenna connection: "ant. 300 ohms" or "coax/ant. 50 ohms"
   * Antenna wire
   * Di-pole antenna (build or buy)
   * Rabbit ears antenna
   * Booster FM amplifier (Optional)
   * Alligator clip
   * Motor/rotor antenna direction changer (Optional)
   * Knife or wire cutter
   * Screwdriver

Instructions

1.Connect your existing TV cable to your FM. The cable is directly connected to a coaxial type receptor. Check with the cable company to see if you're subscribing to the desired FM stations. If you have a 300 ohm TV twin line, buy an FM splitter at a hardware store and connect it between your FM and TV. You may have to experiment to see which terminals provide the best reception.

2.Insert a piece of wire to the FM antenna and run it out in several directions until you get your best reception. If you don't have an antenna connection to your FM, wrap the radio with lots of wire. Place an alligator clip to the free end and attach the clip to a metallic structure above ground such as a window frame, rain gutter, heat or AC duct.

If the FM has a telescoping antenna, extend it and place a piece of aluminum foil at the top like a "flag" or run out any length of wire from the top. These antennas swivel and you can try using it in the horizontal plane.

3.Set your receiver to MONO. Mono travels further and has less noise in it. There are lots of changes you can make to improve your reception. Try using TV rabbit ears. Also adding a booster amplifier to your existing antenna will help with reception.

4.Buy a custom-made antenna or build a simple directional "Yagi" antenna from an old TV antenna and use it as the "attic solution" to your FM reception problems. Be sure to point it at your station. You can hand turn it toward more than one station for a better reception.

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How to Build an Effective FM Receiver Antenna

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