[net.audio] FM Reception query

ark (09/22/82)

I live in an area with terrible FM reception problems.  I am about
10 miles from the transmitter (which is in Manhattan) in a huge
high-rise building in which my windows all face almost directly
away from the transmitter.  There is a master antenna on the roof,
but it seems to have some kind of trap to filter out the FM frequencies.
The reception I get from a folded dipole indoors is better than that
I get from the master antenna.

I have seen ads for an indoor FM antenna called a "Beam Box",
and tried to buy one.  A funny thing happened:  both stores
I visited said that although they have them in stock, they
don't think they are very good and therefore they declined to
sell me one.  I'm inclined to believe it if the dealers are so
negative.

Any have any other suggestions for improving reception?  To anticipate
some possible replies, (1) I have experimented to find the optimum
orientation for the dipole, (2) I have a multipath meter on my tuner
which indicates that multipath distortion is indeed the problem,
(3) I cannot get access to the roof to erect my own antenna.

ark (09/22/82)

Let me clarify.  My problem is not that the signal is too weak.
It's quite strong.   My problem is multipath distortion.

wm (09/22/82)

I don't think an amplifier will help in a situation where
the major problem is multipath distortion.  A good directional
antenna, even if stuck out the window or even indoors, will help.

	wm leler - unc chapel hill

djj (09/23/82)

I have always gotten good results using one of those giant rotating
monster antenna that sit on top of a TV set.  The one I used to have
consistently outperformed my dipole.  New units sell for about $30,
used ones for $10-15 (you really have to search!), and I've seen
ones at garage sales for $1-$5 (the best bet).  Might be worth a
try instead of laying out $80+ for a "name" FM antenna.

Dave Johnson  BTL Piscataway (...!mhux*!pyuxjj!pyuxcc!djj)