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Best Roof Mounted FM Antenna

I am considering buying a Ron Smith Aerials outdoor antenna and heard that they are the best on the market. Is this a good choice? Since this is directional, would it be necessary to use a rotor? Thanks.
boboh1
phirvinen3c16
1 posts
 
I am not familiar with that antenna. I also use an attic mounted multi element TV antenna for FM. I have it pointed to the south to pick up a couple of distant stations which it does well enough, some noise on one station. When listenting to local stations I have to switch the antenna input to a ribbon antenna mounted behind my tuner because the multi element antenna is directional, in the wrong direction unfortunately and is very noisy. A rotator would solve the problem but I feel that switching antennas is easier than rotating. It depends on your situation and why you need this particular antenna. Since I have only local stations and all distant station are to the south I am considering a tuner with 2 antenna inputs such as the new NAD Silver Series Tuner. Hope this helps.
goldorak's avatar
goldorak
89 posts
 
I used to have a top shelf FM reception kit (FT-101A Etude from Magnum Dynalab) and live near a mountain that made reception very problematic. I solved my problems with the ST-2 Omnidirectional antenna from Magnum Dynalab. It has a coil at the base that will give you 20dB of boost. If you want more you can add the FM-205 Signal Sleuth also from Magnum Dynalab, it's a FM signal amplifier that will boost selectively the frequency you need. Those two components gave me fantastic results.
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ivanj
35 posts
 
It depends on your situation. This is not voodoo; choice of antenna depends on well-known engineering. I use a directional Yagi with a rotor that is FM only for MY PARTICULAR APPLICATION. It is made by channel master and OEMed by several companies including Magnum. My specialist installer - who did not sell me the antenna - warned against amplifiers - they amplify signal, noise, multipath, and so on. There was good information on the Fanfare web site. You might start there or give them a call. A longer discussion goes beyond the scope of my reply. Just remember that quieting is often logarithmic - not linear - and a 3 db clean signal gain can give a VAST improvement in signal quality and musical enjoyment, all other things being equal. Can you give us more information about your locale, tuner, etc?
wolfie59
3 posts
 
I am getting great reception in the Fairfield County, Ct area with a $20 directional FM antenna purchased from Radio Shack, + another $40 for installation hardware. It was the best $60 that I ever spent on audio gear. A friend of mine installed it for me, so I saved the $250 that the local Channel Master installer wanted for his antenna. Depending on where you live, you might want to spring for a rotor. If you self install, make sure that you ground the antenna. Good luck.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I have one of those $20 Radio Shack roof FM antennas that I've had since 1980. They do work very well !! I do not currently use it because the TV antenna allows me to use a TV in that room as well. There are lots of stations around DC even without cable.
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