How to Make a Powerful FM Antenna

By David Stewart, eHow Contributor

If you are not able to listen to your favorite radio stations because of signal reception problems,
try making your own antenna at home. Making your own antenna is easier and cheaper than you
think. You need a few essential materials that are readily available at any hardware store.

Things You'll Need
2 wood rods
String
13.5 feet insulated wire


Instructions
1.
o 1
Cut the wood rods to 42.4 inches. Place both rods in an "X" shape on your work surface.
Measure and adjust the distance between each of the four points of the X to 30 inches.
o 2
Tie the rods tight at the center. Adjust the points if they deviate from the 30-inch
measurement. The measurement is necessary to ensure strong signal reception.
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o 3
Cut the insulation on both ends of the insulated wire with a sharp knife. A piece of the inside
wire is visible on both ends.
o 4
Wind the insulated wire taut around the X-shaped frame. To do this, run the wire from the
bottom left of the X to the top left of the X. Leave the bottom cut end of the wire dangling.
Secure the insulated part of the wire to the top left end of the X with tape.
o 5
Proceed with the wire across the top of the X to the top right corner. Secure the wire at the
top right. Then run the wire from the top right to bottom right corner. Secure the wire at the
bottom right corner. Next, run the wire from the bottom right to the bottom left of the X.
You have a square-shaped wire wound around the X frame and two dangling ends.
o 6
Tie the dangling wires using electric tape and direct the excess wire toward the center of the
X frame.
o 7
Cut off the insulation of one end of the 300-ohm ribbon feeder. Place it vertically on the
bottom side of the X frame that is adjacent to the side with the connected dangling wires.
Connect the ends of the wire to the wires on either end of the ribbon feeder. Connect by
twisting the wires.
o 8
Connect the other end of the ribbon feeder to your radio's 300-ohm antenna input. Turn on
the radio and adjust the antenna by placing it in different positions to get the best signal.


Homemade FM Antennas
By kapila, eHow Contributor
Radios and other broadcasting instruments that receive electromagnetic waves from transmitters
and convert them into electrical current, and vice versa, use antennas. FM, or frequency
modulation, provides superior quality sound signals to the listeners. You can make an efficient
and inexpensive antenna at home.

The Facts
An FM radio -- whether a separate unit or part of a sound system -- uses a wire to detect
radio signals that may give you better sound quality. A homemade FM antenna properly
detects radio signals without the use of expensive materials.
Materials
The supplies needed for an FM antenna include a coat hanger for making an
electromagnetic receiver, 6 feet of wire for connecting it to the radio and an insulation tape.


Customization
You can customize your antenna by selecting the frequency of FM channels you want to
receive. The higher the frequency, the shorter the antenna; for example, a frequency of 87 to
90 requires about 10 feet of wire.
Considerations
Geographical obstacles such as mountains and interference from other radio stations and
communication devices such as walkie-talkies can disturb the frequency your antenna
receives.


How to Calculate FM Antenna Length
By Lon Quist, eHow Contributor
The signal strength of your favorite FM radio station is determined by the effective radiated power
of the station and the height above average terrain of the station's antenna system. If your
distance from the station is great or if there is a hill or other obstruction between you and the
station's transmitter, then you may need an antenna to strengthen the signal. For maximum effect,
the antenna should be cut to the proper length.

Things You'll Need
Calculator
Pad and pencil
Ruler


Instructions
1.
o 1
Check the space you have available. A full wave antenna for 98 Mhz, the center of the FM
band, would be 119 inches. This length of wire may not be practical for an apartment or
some subdivision locations. Thus, a quarter wave or half-wave antenna may be better for
you.
o 2
Calculate the space available for your antenna to determine whether you should use a
quarter wave or half wave antenna. A quarter wave antenna for 98 Mhz would be 29 inches
long. A half wave would be 59 inches. These are approximate figures that are close enough
to realize the desired increase in signal strength. The longer antenna wire will provide the
best reception.
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o 3
Calculate the proper length for your antenna according to where your favorite stations are
on the dial. Public radio stations are usually located from 88 Mhz to 92 Mhz. The best
length for a quarter wave antenna would be 26 inches. A half wave antenna wire would be
53 inches.
o 4
Remember these antenna lengths are approximates. There are many web sites where you
will find the mathematical formulas for precise measurements. Listeners who have more
than one preferred station may choose to use one of the following lengths. For a quarter
wave antenna on the low end of the dial, 26 inches; mid dial, 29 inches; and upper dial, 33
inches.
o 5
Cut your antenna for the mid dial position to give you reasonably good reception for stations
above and below the mid point and is in most cases the best overall choice.


Tips & Warnings
Check the location of your favorite station and be sure your antenna location and direction will work for that
station.
In difficult reception areas, a more precise calculation may have to be made for stations located between the
midpoint and the upper or lower ends of the dial. For most areas, an antenna cut for the upper, lower or mid
point will be sufficient.
Cutting your antenna for the mid dial position will give reasonably good reception for stations above and
below the mid point and is in most cases the best overall choice.
Stay away from power lines when installing antennas

How to Make a Simple FM Antenna
By Nichole Liandi, eHow Contributor , last updated December 21, 2012


The quality of FM reception is dependent upon the design of the antenna. The dipole antenna
design is both easy to make and is an excellent choice for the FM listener who wants to improve
reception and receive radio stations more clearly and with better signal strength. The materials for
this antenna are easily obtained and it can be built in a minimum amount of time.

Things You'll Need
Stiff wire or coat hangers
Wire cutters
Plywood

Instructions
1.
o 1
Cut two pieces of stiff wire to 28 inches in length with wire cutters. You can actually use coat
hangers for this step if you want--just be sure to straighten them out well and sand off any
paint or coating on the ends of the wire where you'll make connections.
o 2
Cut a small piece of wood (plywood works well for this step) into a 1-inch square. Sand the
edges with medium-grit sandpaper if desired.


3
Screw two round-headed 1/4-inch sheet metal screws into the wood about half way into the
wood, separated from each other by about 1/2 inch.
4
Make a small open loop, like a "U" on each end of the stiff wires. Needle nose pliers work
well for this step. The loops should be small enough to fit snugly around the threads of the
sheet metal screws.
5
Slide the loops around the sheet metal screws and position the two wires so that they're in a
straight line with each other.
6
Slide the u-shaped terminal ends of a 300 to 75-ohm matching transformer under the
screws, one under each screw. Tighten the screws so they're securely holding the wires and
the terminals.
7
Connect your antenna to your receiver by plugging the transformer into a coaxial cable with
F-type connectors on both ends. Then plug the other end of the cable into the receiver.
8
Experiment with antenna placement to get the best signal. Generally the higher the antenna,
the better the reception.


Types of FM Antennas
By an eHow Contributor


There are a variety of FM antennas on the market, including outdoor and indoor antennas. When
choosing an FM antenna, you must take your location into account. If you live in a town or
suburban area, most indoor antennas will be sufficient, but if you are in the country, an outdoor
antenna will probably be your best option.

Turnstile Antenna
This type of outdoor antenna gets reception from various directions without you having to
move the antenna.
Multi-Element Antenna
This outdoor FM antenna must be moved at times to get reception. The multi-element
antenna can get reception from longer distances than other outdoor FM antennas.


Half Wave Vertical FM Antenna
This is one of the best types of indoor FM antennas. It has a higher reception rate than most
other indoor antennas.
Bidirectional Dipole
This is the most frequently used indoor FM antenna. It usually comes standard with most
electronics built for FM reception.
Amplified Indoor Antennas
This type of antenna has one of the highest noise interference factors of all indoor FM
antennas. The reception it gets is poor in quality.


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