While all circuits can be fine tuned and tweaked for maximum performance, tuners usually excel at one thing or the other. Those two things are sensitivity ( good long distance ears ) or selectivity ( ability to seperate stations interfering stations ). As such, it is easier to add selectivity to a tuner via additional filtering than it is to make the circuit more sensitive. Achieving both great selectivity and great sensitivity in a tuner is a balancing act of great proportion.
I would look for a tuner that has both great sensitivity and a good "blending" circuit. What this does is achieve the quietest signal possible ( which is actually mono ) and keep a good portion of channel separation that we get in stereo. This will give you the most listenable signal possible under your specific conditions. Tuners using a circuit designed by Larry Shotz ( spelling ??? ) come to mind.
As to antennas, my findings are that the Fanfare and Magnum vertical whips are far from optimum performers when mounted inside of a building. I had FAR better luck with a large wire dipole during some testing that i did. Since you are trying to pick up stations from one specific area or direction, you should be able to orient the dipole for best reception and see what you can catch.
My suggestion is to mount it up as high on the wall as possible and keep it away from metal. You will have to anchor one of the legs on the "T" and then move the other end around until the stations start locking in. Once you've found the point of strongest reception, anchor the antenna in that position as best possible.
This might not give you all of the stations that you're looking for, but it may be the best that you can do without spending major money on both a tuner and a very large ( and ugly ) indoor antenna.
One other suggestion is to try hooking up to an outdoor TV antenna that the apartment may already have mounted. Since cable and satellite have become so common-place now, this may not be an option though. Sean
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