On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 15:42:29 -0500, mBird wrote
(in message ):

Hi --

Radio: Harman Kardon Home stereo AVR-125
Location: on the edge of what the station shows is there signal area on
their website -- about 40 miles from the station

I get static (very slight but noticeable enough) when listening to Public
Radio. I have the basic two-wire antenna that came with the stereo.


You might want to try this antenna in two other configurations.

[This is Gray talking out his, er, his ear (or sumthin').]


FM has three "polarities": horizontal (which is what your "T" antenna that
came with your receiver is taking for granted).

There is also a vertical polarization so try using the two elements "up and
down". [Would look like a capital "I"]

Then there is, now, circular polarization. See the CCrane illustration of
their $30 antenna in a circular polariztion at:

http://ccrane.com/fm_reflect.asp

I
tried using an AM/FM Amplified Indoor Antenna (from Radio Shack) but that
actually made the static worse no matter how I positioned or set.

That's an inherent problem with all amplified antennas; they're really only
good for weak and clean signals (and, then, of course, they're wonderful).


Please
advice on what I could do. The static is so small you almost can't hear it
but it is just enough to make music programs less than the best they could
be.


Someone has already suggested the RadioShack Yagi and that should work fine
and you might not even need it in your attic. If you've got a sofa in your
room, you might try it underneath it (seriously, all you need is a couple
DB's). Or behind your stereo or in a closet.

Or take a look at the CCrane antenna mentioned above (that I used as an
example for circular polarization).

I, of course, have no idea what you use for teevee reception but it is well
to remember that the FM band (88-108mc) is between tv channels six and seven.

If you're using a tv antenna - if you get cable tv - if you're using
satellite - it is possible that the FM band can be used from any of these, so
that is also worth checking.


Thank you




Gray Shockley
-----------------------
DX-392 DX-398
RX-320 DX-399
CCradio w/RS Loop
Torus Tuner (3-13 MHz)
Select-A-Tenna
-----------------------
Vicksburg, MS US

"Gray Shockley" wrote:

You might want to try this antenna in two other configurations.

[This is Gray talking out his, er, his ear (or sumthin').]


FM has three "polarities": horizontal (which is what your "T" antenna that
came with your receiver is taking for granted).

There is also a vertical polarization so try using the two elements "up
and
down". [Would look like a capital "I"]

Then there is, now, circular polarization. See the CCrane illustration of
their $30 antenna in a circular polariztion at:

http://ccrane.com/fm_reflect.asp

I'm skeptical of that antenna (sounds like marketing hype). Just configuring
a dipole in the shape of a circular loop does not produce circular
polarization. Normally, circular polarization is achieved by using both
horizontal and vertical dipoles fed 90 degrees out of phase with each other.

Circular polarization is often used for satellites where random rotation of
the spacecraft makes linear polarization impractical. For FM broadcasts it
is claimed that circular polarization is a benefit when receiving signals
that have been reflected off buildings, etc. Not all FM stations use
circular polarization.

Here is a picture of an FM broadcast antenna designed for CP:

http://www.nicomusa.com/antennas/bkg77hp.htm


If you're using a tv antenna - if you get cable tv - if you're using
satellite - it is possible that the FM band can be used from any of these,
so
that is also worth checking.

Good point. You can get a diplexer that splits out the FM and TV signals
from a TV antenna.

Art N2AH