View Full Version : FM Reception with CM 2016 or Winegard HD7694P
TooLittleTimeZZZ 11-08-08, 09:22 PM I'm considering use of either a CM 2016 or Winegard HD7694P for my OTA reception, split to my FM radio. fmfool shows most FM stations @ -35 to -50 dBm in same direction as my TV stations, and tvfool shows the TV stations @ -25 to -60 dBm. Any comments on how well these antennas will do picking up these FM radio signals?
Also, there are a few FM stations at about 90 degrees from the direction I'll point the antenna. Will the gain of these antennas at FM frequencies kill reception of those stations?
Digital Rules 11-08-08, 11:13 PM Neither one of those antennas are designed for the somewhat lower FM frequencies. You may do just fine with an attic mounted FM only antenna. You can get either an omni, or directional(depending on your needs) FM antenna for under $30.00
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=FMSS
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=HD-6000
TooLittleTimeZZZ 11-09-08, 11:02 AM It sounds like adding a separate FM antenna is a bit heroic, needing to space it from the TV antenna and combining the signals. Is it really worth all that effort?
Digital Rules 11-09-08, 11:12 AM An attic mount may be sufficient for FM. Which stations are you intersted in?
You could also use a full band(2-69) antenna in place of the channel 7-69 antenna; like a Winegard HD7082P, or similar.
If your desired FM stations are in different directions; an attic mounted omni-directional may be your best bet for stations within 50 miles or so.
Tower Guy 11-09-08, 12:15 PM It sounds like adding a separate FM antenna is a bit heroic, needing to space it from the TV antenna and combining the signals. Is it really worth all that effort?
It's either that or a larger 2-69 antenna.
Falcon_77 11-09-08, 03:15 PM It's either that or a larger 2-69 antenna.
The new CM Advantage series should be ok for FM as well, according to CM and the width (60") seems to indicate this (see page 4 of the below).
http://www.channelmasterintl.com/documentation/catalogs/Channel%20Master%20Terrestrial%20Catalog_20080822.pdf
When will they be out? It's practically late 2008 already.
TooLittleTimeZZZ 11-09-08, 03:40 PM That Advantage series is available now, with the 2016 a lower gain version of the others. Since FM is fairly close to Channel 7, won't the 2016 still get a decent signal?
The new CM Advantage series should be ok for FM as well, according to CM and the width (60") seems to indicate this (see page 4 of the below).
http://www.channelmasterintl.com/documentation/catalogs/Channel%20Master%20Terrestrial%20Catalog_20080822.pdf
When will they be out? It's practically late 2008 already.
These antennas may not have been designed for FM, but they should be fine as long as you're interested mainly in local stations. I have a 5-element VHF-high antenna connected to a UVSJ combiner, and a Winegard CA-8800 FM band separator (~$15) inline just before the TV. The antennas are in the attic with no pre-amp, feeding one TV and one FM receiver at the end of 60 feet of coax. We're in a rather densely populated neighborhood, located most of the way up a gradual ridge. Strong FM reception goes out to about 55 miles; a handful of faint stations (mono only) come in from 80 miles or so. A couple of them come in from the back of the antenna!
TooLittleTimeZZZ 11-09-08, 07:11 PM And what's connected to the other side of the combiner with the VHF-high antenna? Is it a UHF-only? Could you say what VHF-high ant you're using?
These antennas may not have been designed for FM, but they should be fine as long as you're interested mainly in local stations. I have a 5-element VHF-high antenna connected to a UVSJ combiner, and a Winegard CA-8800 FM band separator (~$15) inline just before the TV. The antennas are in the attic with no pre-amp, feeding one TV and one FM receiver at the end of 60 feet of coax. We're in a rather densely populated neighborhood, located most of the way up a gradual ridge. Strong FM reception goes out to about 55 miles; a handful of faint stations (mono only) come in from 80 miles or so. A couple of them come in from the back of the antenna!
TooLittleTime,
VHF antenna is the AntennaCraft Y5-7-13; the UHF is a hand-made DB4 clone using 20" wide cookie racks for reflectors and 6AWG copper for the bowties. We have line of sight to all major Denver transmitters @ 23-36 miles; signal-level meter is stable between 87-92 for all except the PBS affiliate, which runs 72-75, with no dropouts at all.
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