In your experience, is there any indoor FM antenna that is better than the stock T-Robbin?


I had a great Winegaard and Finco outdoor antennas in the past, but an outdoor is not a current option.  So.....is there any indoor FM antenna that actually out does the ribbon that comes with the tuner?  Thanks.  I am anywhere from 30 to 100 miles from any worthwhile stations.  I will be using a couple of units including a Magnum Dynalab Tuner. 

 

jusam

Location, location, location! What works for one might not work for another.

FWIW, I’ve had better luck with the MAGNUM dynalab silver ribbon than with the stock T-ribbons, ubiquitous amplified units, or even Magnum’s and Fanfare’s more expensive whip antennas. Though worth it for what it does, and certainly not a bank breaker the silver ribbon still seems like it’s expensive for what it is. If I had small children I might think twice as the edges are quite sharp. It can be improved upon with a small modification; snipping the attached twin lead cable, attaching a balun transformer and connecting an RG-6 coaxial cable (you could use RG-11, but I think that might be overkill for an indoor installation) of a practical flexible length for your purposes. I’ve also had pretty good luck with an inexpensive Radio Shack Cat. No. 15-1874 sturdy rabbit ears antenna, but it comes with a captive co-axial cable which can be limiting.

 

 

"I’ve also had pretty good luck with an inexpensive Radio Shack Cat. No. 15-1874 sturdy rabbit ears antenna"

I use RCA ANT111E Indoor Antennas (rabbit ears) on 2 of my tuners - about $10. Not sure if they are any better than a dipole but they are not worse and look a hell of a lot better.

The Beam Box was the best in my experiences.

It was revealing with the Marantz scope tuner.

Is putting the antenna in the attic

an option? I use a Stellar Labs

Omnidirectional and it works

pretty well.

 

Thanks to all for your input.  I am currently in a rental location and no attic or outdoor possibilities.  I will be moving in the Summer to a more remote location near the "Frozen Tundra" of Green Bay.  I do wish there was an online or internet solution that did not involve compressed signals and sound degradation.