2. tech-talk
  3. 1186853052

Cheap DIY FM Antenna

I bought a used Sansui TU-217 some months ago just to have some background music in my living room, I have two questions:

1-There are 2 300 ohm and 1 75 ohm taps in the back of the unit, which one should I use ?

2-My current antenna is a piece of wire connected to the 300 ohm tap. I don't receive some station correctly so I would like to build a small antenna. Thing is I don't have space to have a 3 feet piece of wire hanging inside my living room. Also I live in an apartment so putting it in the roof is not an option.

What can I build that's small and serves the purpose ?

Thanks !!!
foxtrot
prefab
55 posts
 
Go to a TV store and buy the cheapest set of rabbit ears you can find. Most of mine were bought for under $10 at Fry's electronics in Austin TX. My rabbit ears have outperformed any powered antenna I have used before. Powered antennas tend to amplify their own noise.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Just as an added FYI...
The entire FM band is between the VHF TV channels 6 and 7.
This is why the rabbit ears will work, or actually any VHF TV antenna.
foxtrot OP
211 posts
 
Thanks Prefab and Sugarbrie, I will also try that, I guess the rabbit won't mid hanging upside down behind my rack...or does the antenna need to be placed the other way round ?
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I will add to my comment on amplified antennas that while I don't prefer them; in Doyle's case if his problem is the building blocking the FM signals, then an amplified antenna may be his only choice.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Sugarbrie...While what you say about the FM band being in the middle of the TV bands is correct, please note that amplified antenna, and mast-mounted RF amplifiers often have a "FM trap" filter to notch out the FM frequencies which adversely affect the TV picture.
More to discover