FM AERIAL(EXISTING SETUP)

Randyleprechaun

Hi,

Looking for some advice on adding an FM aerial to my house setup.

Existing setup is as follows.

2no external UHF aerials diplexed using fringe diplexer.

Masthead amplifier(Johanson 7312)

Fed down to sky box in attic.

2no sky boxes combined using global combiner

Global combiner feeds global 8 way distribution amp.

Dist. amp feeds 6no TV points each with magic eye allowing control of either box depending on which remote used(Remotes programmed to soecific boxes)

So, what I want to know is:

1. Can anyone recommend a good, neat FM aerial to mount onto my existing pole.
2. What is the easiestmost economical way to integrate with my system.

I have 2no DVD/surround sound systems that have radios and without the FM feed the radio part just doesn't work right.

Some of the TV points are just fed with cable direct form the dist. amp, ie. not through a wall plate. Some are fed through wall plates. Will this have an affect on getting the FM.

Any questions just ask, and all help appreciated.

Thanks

watty

Definately NOT a halo.

Omni is best given the wide variety of TX sites. A Discone (not royal Discone) will work for DAB and FM band II. Normally it uses 50Ohm and PL529. 75 Ohm sat cable will work. you can get adaptor for F-Connector from N-type and use N to PL529, or simply use the larger hole PL529 on the TX100 or PF100 cable.

Randyleprechaun

Sound,

Any ideas on connecting it into the system?

Mike 1972

If youre after an omnidirectional (dipole) aerial Antiference do one called the Radio Rod for around £15 (Maplin CPC etc should still have them)

Multielement (directional) aerials (3, 4 and 6 element) also available but bear in mind a 6 element FM aerial is around the size of a double bed !!!

More info

cauliflower69

To emalgemate it in the system you'd use a uhf/vhf-fm diplexer if after amp please make sure it has dc pass.

If after psu your good.

Or you could change the amplifier for a UHF/VHF-FM amplifier that has the extra input for vhf-fm

givecredit

Interesting thread. I have one of those Halo's. Great to hear i can get better, as i would like to get better reception from the dublin stations. Currently receiving 98fm and Nova 100fm with "snowy" reception 90 miles west of the city (Whats radios equivalent of snowy?) I do not want to go too directional as its great to receive stations from other places too, north south, east and west.
Found this at aerialsandtv.com

Anyone know where to source a folded dipole fm aerial?

watty

The halo is remarkable for
1) Having negative gain
2) Being an omni horizontal when all Radio is vertical, slant or circular for the last 30 years (UK had Horizontal FM-VHF in 1950s and 1960s because car radio and portable radio didn't have VHF). Car radios and portable needs vertical.

It shouldn't be sold or installed anywhere. An FM omni is a whip, vertical dipole or Discone.

This will do FM-VHF and DAB, only slightly less gain than a folded dipole
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29609
http://www.rocketradio.co.uk/scanner-discone-se-900-antenna-86-p.asp

probably Long Communication and South East Communications also have them.


On my discone I get Kerry, Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick, Clare etc.. I wired it with 75 Ohm satellite cable.

I don't get Dublin on it, but I'm 9km west of Limerick City Centre.


The small aerial on the right, on the chimney is a discone
(never mind the big one. It's for a transmitter and is on a motor)

Randyleprechaun

What are peoples view on the Triax 100189 or 100190 omni aerial.

I want something neat to fix to existing mast.

I don't really want to have to put another mast on the other side of the chimney, but I will if needs be.
Thanks

Mike 1972

Randyleprechaun wrote: »

What are peoples view on the Triax 100189 or 100190 omni aerial.

100189 is a halo (pile of poo -see above)
Dont know about 100190 (dont see it on their website)

Randyleprechaun

Sorry,

I thought it said OMNI and that that was a good one. Looks like I'll have to go for something bigger on a seperate mast eh?

Thanks Mike

Randyleprechaun

Is this the one you'd recommend Mike

http://cpcireland.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=AFROD

watty

It doesn't look very sturdy. Wot you not like the Witches hat? (Discone).
But it will work.
The Discone does FM, Airband and DAB (Digital Radio) too

givecredit

Thanks watty. How is the discone mounted. Cannot see your photo for some reason. Can it be put on same pole as my tv aerial?

watty

Probably. it comes with a short pole and two clamps to clamp on near top of an existing pole.

right click on view image to force load it.

Mike 1972

Randyleprechaun wrote: »

Is this the one you'd recommend Mike

http://cpcireland.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=AFROD

Yes its a basic open dipole better than a halo.

Sturdier versions are available more suited to pole/roof mounting.

Randyleprechaun

Guys,

Should this be ok for FM in the house. I know you cant see much but what you think.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Wide-Band-Discone-Antenna-/150514081730?pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_SpecialistRadioEquipment_SM&hash=item230b569fc2#ht_1823wt_1139

Anyone know anywhere else to purchase the discone at good price.

watty

Halo is no use. A coathanger stuck vertical will be better!

A whip is better than a Halo.

That's not bad for a Discone and it will cover DAB also. Even DRM+ if ever on 42MHz to 68MHz ish band

Randyleprechaun

watty wrote: »

Halo is no use. A coathanger stuck vertical will be better!

A whip is better than a Halo.

That's not bad for a Discone and it will cover DAB also. Even DRM+ if ever on 42MHz to 68MHz ish band

Thanks Watty,

So you reckon that should be all right. It's the best aerial for what I want and it's not a bad price(if I can win it at that).

Do you know of anywhere else(online or bricks and mortar) where i could get one at a fair price. I've noticed, that one on ebay is used and you can be sure there'll be bits missing or something

Thanks

watty

Maplin sometimes has them, €45

You do NOT want a "royal discone" (add single spike on top).

I have purchased from Rocket Radio, though not their Discone
http://www.rocketradio.co.uk/scanner-discone-se-900-antenna-86-p.asp

These are also oK, it's strictly a Bi-cubical aerial, not a double Discone.
http://www.rocketradio.co.uk/double-discone---full-size-87-p.asp
I have a Military version that uses 8ft man-pack whips to make top cone and guy wires insulated on bottom for lower cone. Sits on a sectional "tent pole" style mast Works good 7MHz to 70MHz!


Or Gary O’Hanlon South East Communications
051 385853
087 2513772
Ashbury House.
Dunmore East,
Co. Waterford.
Ireland.
www.sec.ie (terrible website, but nice guy)


Aluminium is better than Stainless

Randyleprechaun

Well,

I've sorted my FM problems.......on the cheap!!!!!!

Using 2no wire coat hangers and 2no co-axial couplers.(1no of each at each DVD player)Only the hi-fi in living room to do now...I'll do that one when the wife's not looking.

Coat hangers opened out straight and vertical.

Picking up FM Stereo all the local stations and national ones that I'd expect to get...all perfect.

Thanks for the help all anyway