FM Radio Antenna Booster

[Bug-Eyed]

I live in an area where most FM radio reception is very poor. The Blaupunkt FM radio in my Bug is a quality radio but even with the best conditions the FM signals are fair to poor to say the least. I was wonder if anyone has had any experience with a 12 volt FM antenna booster?

[Digger89L]

I've tried several of these types of boosters, and have returned them for refunds. The sad fact is that FM radio signals are "line-of-sight" signals ...so if the station's tower isn't high enough to provide a line-of-sight signal to your location, no amount of 'boosting' is going to change that. The typical range of an FM radio signal is a maximum of about 50 miles , depending on broadcast tower height and local terrain. FM signals don't "bounce" like AM signals do.

[Bug-Eyed]

I've tried several of these types of boosters, and have returned them for refunds. The sad fact is that FM radio signals are "line-of-sight" signals ...so if the station's tower isn't high enough to provide a line-of-sight signal to your location, no amount of 'boosting' is going to change that. The typical range of an FM radio signal is a maximum of about 50 miles , depending on broadcast tower height and local terrain. FM signals don't "bounce" like AM signals do.

You hit it right on the head with the maximum distance because the nearest FM station that I like to listen to is about 50 miles. Some parts of the day I can get a better signal than other times but even then the reception fades in and out.

Thanks,

[Itskyle]

I live in an area where most FM radio reception is very poor. The Blaupunkt FM radio in my Bug is a quality radio but even with the best conditions the FM signals are fair to poor to say the least. I was wonder if anyone has had any experience with a 12 volt FM antenna booster?

What about replacing your antenna? Maybe a buggy whip antenna? The extra length may help? Of course, it might ruin your stock look, which I've seen and admire greatly.

Kyle

[Bug-Eyed]

I live in an area where most FM radio reception is very poor. The Blaupunkt FM radio in my Bug is a quality radio but even with the best conditions the FM signals are fair to poor to say the least. I was wonder if anyone has had any experience with a 12 volt FM antenna booster?

What about replacing your antenna? Maybe a buggy whip antenna? The extra length may help? Of course, it might ruin your stock look, which I've seen and admire greatly.

Kyle

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't think I want to change the antenna.

[Bug-Eyed]

It looks as though I get to mount a new antenna after all. This morning while returning home from breakfast the mast of the antenna fell out of the base mount. I guess I'll be looking for a replacement antenna now.

[Itskyle]

It looks as though I get to mount a new antenna after all. This morning while returning home from breakfast the mast of the antenna fell out of the base mount. I guess I'll be looking for a replacement antenna now.

It's possible that a new stock antenna may just cure your ills, if so, that's great. You can usually pick those up mail order.

Let us know, how it goes.

Kyle

[Bug-Eyed]

It looks as though I get to mount a new antenna after all. This morning while returning home from breakfast the mast of the antenna fell out of the base mount. I guess I'll be looking for a replacement antenna now.

It's possible that a new stock antenna may just cure your ills, if so, that's great. You can usually pick those up mail order.

Let us know, how it goes.

Kyle

I just finished ordering one from WCM.

[h~moto]

I'm not an expert on this, but I believe 30 or 31 inches (I forget which) is considered the best length for FM reception. Longer is better for AM reception but that is not the case with FM. It has something to do with the length of the signal wave that FM uses. When you get your new antenna installed, you may want to tune in your favorite station and try your antenna at slightly different lengths until you get the best reception.

[Bug-Eyed]

I'm not an expert on this, but I believe 30 or 31 inches (I forget which) is considered the best length for FM reception. Longer is better for AM reception but that is not the case with FM. It has something to do with the length of the signal wave that FM uses. When you get your new antenna installed, you may want to tune in your favorite station and try your antenna at slightly different lengths until you get the best reception.

You are correct about FM broadcast frequencies and lengths on the antenna. An antenna built for middle of the 88Mhz - 108Mhz FM band (98 Mhz) would be: 0.9566 meters or 95.66 cm (centimeters) long. For those more familiar with imperial units than metric, the formula to convert centimeters to inches is: cm X 0.3937. This means 95.66cm X 0.3937 = 37.66 inches long. This also take into account the Ohm rating and length of the antenna coax cable. The antenna length can vary some.

[Itskyle]

I'm not an expert on this, but I believe 30 or 31 inches (I forget which) is considered the best length for FM reception. Longer is better for AM reception but that is not the case with FM. It has something to do with the length of the signal wave that FM uses. When you get your new antenna installed, you may want to tune in your favorite station and try your antenna at slightly different lengths until you get the best reception.

You are correct about FM broadcast frequencies and lengths on the antenna. An antenna built for middle of the 88Mhz - 108Mhz FM band (98 Mhz) would be: 0.9566 meters or 95.66 cm (centimeters) long. For those more familiar with imperial units than metric, the formula to convert centimeters to inches is: cm X 0.3937. This means 95.66cm X 0.3937 = 37.66 inches long. This also take into account the Ohm rating and length of the antenna coax cable. The antenna length can vary some.

Good to know. Do you think a distinction should be made as to how much is exposed to the air and how much of that is in cable in the car? Our classic rides typically either have metal or rust encasing all of the innards, while newer vehicles are mostly composit polymers and the like.

Kyle

[Bug-Eyed]

I'm not an expert on this, but I believe 30 or 31 inches (I forget which) is considered the best length for FM reception. Longer is better for AM reception but that is not the case with FM. It has something to do with the length of the signal wave that FM uses. When you get your new antenna installed, you may want to tune in your favorite station and try your antenna at slightly different lengths until you get the best reception.

You are correct about FM broadcast frequencies and lengths on the antenna. An antenna built for middle of the 88Mhz - 108Mhz FM band (98 Mhz) would be: 0.9566 meters or 95.66 cm (centimeters) long. For those more familiar with imperial units than metric, the formula to convert centimeters to inches is: cm X 0.3937. This means 95.66cm X 0.3937 = 37.66 inches long. This also take into account the Ohm rating and length of the antenna coax cable. The antenna length can vary some.

Good to know. Do you think a distinction should be made as to how much is exposed to the air and how much of that is in cable in the car? Our classic rides typically either have metal or rust encasing all of the innards, while newer vehicles are mostly composit polymers and the like.

Kyle

Not enough difference to be concerned with. Generally most people in metropolitan areas don't have an issue with reception. With old radio, it sometimes can be that the receiver in the radio can be week. Height of an antenna is the most important part of good reception. Unfortunately with the location of a stock antenna, there's not much can be done.

If you listen to FM stations exclusively you might consider finding an FM antenna that will mount in the tock location. If there is such a antenna.