[muzikman3161]

I got this unit last week and it is pretty cool. Never have used an HD radio before and I do have a few quick questions for the group...


The radio is in my bathroom and the room is an exterior room with the window facing East. I placed the dipole antenna high on the wall in the suggested T shape.


I live in Western Suffolk County, NY on the South shore and can pull in about 12 HD stations in total, the remaining preset slots are for standard FM stations and two AM stations that sound AMAZING.


My problem is twofold:


1. The reception on the HD stations that I do receive goes in and out. Every few minutes I lose the signal then it comes back. Certain HD stations are better but I would say about 75% of the HD stations have this problem.


2. I've read where people pick up HD stations from as far away as 175 miles. Why then am I having trouble getting steady, soild reception and not being able to pull HD stations that are within a 25-50 mile radius of my home?


Thanks,


muzikman

 

[Picspop]

Consider that your eastern exposure faces the Atlantic Ocean. The stations you wish to receive are to your west. Your antenna is shielded by the rest of your house. You may need a more elaborate antenna mounted on your roof, or at least in your attic.


Reports of distant reception are remarkable for their scarcity. I can't pick up HD stations from one side of the city to the other. Also, multipath distortion caused by trees waving in the wind or vehicles passing by or overhead can cause the radio to lose HD lock. Again, a better antenna, mounted high and outdoors, will help.


If you continue to use the twinlead T antenna, remember that the T should be perpendicular to the direction of the stations, and it only serves the FM band. The loop antenna is for the AM band.


It has been over thirty years since I lived on Long Island, so someone else will have to give you more specific advice for reception in the current broadcasting environment.

 

[muzikman3161]

Yes, I have the T perpendicular to the West.


Now, as for the alternative antenna options...


I can run an antenna out the window and up the side of the house. If I do this, what hardware will I need to purchase?

 

[m_vanmeter]

you need to consider where you can easily mount an antenna and run coax cable into the radio.


some antenna sources

the classic turnstile "all direction" antenna http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=FMSS

a very directional "yagi" style antenna for signals in one direction http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_disp...p?prod=SPR6000


a very good "general TV/FM antenna install guide" by Channel Master
http://www.solidsignal.com/manuals/AntInstallGuide.pdf


if you have access to your attic, based on your desire to receive signals in one general direction, I would recommend the "yagi" style antenna mounted in the attic. It would be an easier install than a roof mount and mast with guy wires on the roof.

 

[Speedskater]

Forum member "k6sti" has everything you need to know about FM antennas on his web-page:

http://ham-radio.com/k6sti/index.html

 

[Domino666]

thanks for your post