# Help With FM Antenna **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 3, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-fm-antenna/238077 "2004-04-03T17:40:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-fm-antenna/238077/1 "2004-04-03T17:40:33Z")
I live only about 5 miles from the radio towers, but get terrible FM reception on my stereo receiver since I am in what is almost a little valley on the other side of the hill. I tried a Terk powered antenna, but it didn’t help. I think the problem may be multi-path distortion rather than strength of signal which is what powered antennas are useful for. I also tried hooking to the cable but that does not work well either. I have been think of sticking an antenna on the roof, but before I go to all that trouble I want to make sure it will work. I only want to get a couple of stations, but I’m not sure if the broadcast towers for them are in the same direction from here. Any radio experts out there who can help me out? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-fm-antenna/238077/2 "2004-04-04T15:16:10Z")
My solution to the problem is this: From Radio Shack, I got a simple FM antenna, a TV-and-FM signal amplifier, and enough coax cable to go from my attic to my receiver. The antenna is about 3 feet X 3 feet, and I hung it with rope and staples at the roof peak in the attic. Right next to it, on a rafter, is the little amp. The coax cable was fished through the wall into the room with the receiver. The reception is much better than with the little T of flat wire that came with the receiver. So… A better antenna, mounted higher, with a tiny amp to boost the signal, and 75 ohm cable to cut signal loss. To do better, you’d have to mount the antenna above the roofline. That gets much more complicated, and you get into lightning risk. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-fm-antenna/238077/3 "2004-04-04T15:42:39Z")
> [@DanBlather](#): > > I live only about 5 miles from the radio towers, but get terrible FM reception on my stereo receiver since I am in what is almost a little valley on the other side of the hill. I tried a Terk powered antenna, but it didn’t help. I think the problem may be multi-path distortion rather than strength of signal which is what powered antennas are useful for. I also tried hooking to the cable but that does not work well either. > > I have been think of sticking an antenna on the roof, but before I go to all that trouble I want to make sure it will work. I only want to get a couple of stations, but I’m not sure if the broadcast towers for them are in the same direction from here. > > Any radio experts out there who can help me out? Why do you think multipath - lots of static, distorted stereo signal that sounds betterwhen you select mono? What music are you listening to? If you are listening to classical music the station will have adjusted the signal for greatest accuracy which will make your life hard. If you are listening to punk rock your chances are better. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-fm-antenna/238077/4 "2004-04-04T16:02:05Z")
FM Signal booster amps are of most use when the signal is weak and are not recommended for dealing with multipath interference scenarios, as the amp is simply going to increase the strength of the interfered with signal, and potentially add distortion of it’s own in kicking up the signal. A highly directional antenna in the attic or on the roof is the best solution. The 15-2163 can be mounted in the attic and is only $ 24.00 . see [www.radioshack.com](http://www.radioshack.com). There are also larger, more directional models available. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-fm-antenna/238077/5 "2004-04-04T16:10:28Z")
> [@don't ask](#): > > Why do you think multipath - lots of static, distorted stereo signal that sounds betterwhen you select mono? Yes, that is it exactly > [@](#): > > What music are you listening to? If you are listening to classical music the station will have adjusted the signal for greatest accuracy which will make your life hard. If you are listening to punk rock your chances are better. Jazz and Classical. ---
**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2004, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-fm-antenna/238077/6 "2004-04-04T16:22:10Z")
> [@astro](#): > > FM Signal booster amps are of most use when the signal is weak and are not recommended for dealing with multipath interference scenarios, as the amp is simply going to increase the strength of the interfered with signal, and potentially add distortion of it’s own in kicking up the signal. > > A highly directional antenna in the attic or on the roof is the best solution. The 15-2163 can be mounted in the attic and is only $ 24.00 . see [www.radioshack.com](http://www.radioshack.com). There are also larger, more directional models available. OK, I’m going to try that. Thanks.