Hello folks.
I recently purchased a vintage Sansui 661 receiver. The FM reception in my home is next to zero, so I have an idea for a antenna. I need some input to see if I'm wasting my time with the simple project.
In my dining room I have a north facing small window. It's directly above where my system is located. I've been looking at different diy projects and I think this might work for me.
I'd like to use the window frame itself as the antenna. The window is 20" high x 34" wide. I'm curious if I fashion a folded dipole arrangement around and across the window opening if it might work. It would become part of the room and can be covered with a window shade to keep the girlfriend happy.
I would be using 16 gauge copper wire, unless I need something heavier. I have a layout planned that copies some other plans I've found online. I don't listen to any specific FM stations, so I'm not sure what to do for tuning to a specific frequency, if it's even necessary at the moment.
I would start at the lower right hand corner and stretch the wire to the opposite corner. Then stretch diagonally to the top right corner, then along the top of the window frame and back diagonally to the beginning point. From that point on to the 300 ohm connection on the receiver. Wish I had a diagram, but I don't. The bottom of the window is approximately 5ft from the floor, if that helps.
If this makes any sense to someone I'd appreciate any comments, good or bad.
I recently purchased a vintage Sansui 661 receiver. The FM reception in my home is next to zero, so I have an idea for a antenna. I need some input to see if I'm wasting my time with the simple project.
In my dining room I have a north facing small window. It's directly above where my system is located. I've been looking at different diy projects and I think this might work for me.
I'd like to use the window frame itself as the antenna. The window is 20" high x 34" wide. I'm curious if I fashion a folded dipole arrangement around and across the window opening if it might work. It would become part of the room and can be covered with a window shade to keep the girlfriend happy.
I would be using 16 gauge copper wire, unless I need something heavier. I have a layout planned that copies some other plans I've found online. I don't listen to any specific FM stations, so I'm not sure what to do for tuning to a specific frequency, if it's even necessary at the moment.
I would start at the lower right hand corner and stretch the wire to the opposite corner. Then stretch diagonally to the top right corner, then along the top of the window frame and back diagonally to the beginning point. From that point on to the 300 ohm connection on the receiver. Wish I had a diagram, but I don't. The bottom of the window is approximately 5ft from the floor, if that helps.
If this makes any sense to someone I'd appreciate any comments, good or bad.
For everything you need to know about FM antennas, see:
88–108 MHz
*****************
For most every FM antenna made see:
EV's Best Top Rated FM and HD Radio Antenna Guide & Reviews
88–108 MHz
*****************
For most every FM antenna made see:
EV's Best Top Rated FM and HD Radio Antenna Guide & Reviews
Try it and see. It would have taken less time than it took for you to type the post. It is often surprising what works as an antenna. I remember in high school having a virtually random mess of perhaps 50 feet of speaker wire that ended wrapped around the single bunny ear on a portable FM radio - and it worked well!
Ron E - you know, you're right about just trying it. It will make a good Sunday afternoon project. I was over worrying when it came to the north facing window and if that even matters. I'll figure out something and see how it works.
Speedskater - Thanks for the links. I think I've already checked out the first link you provided. Will look again to be sure.
Speedskater - Thanks for the links. I think I've already checked out the first link you provided. Will look again to be sure.
One of the best things you can do is identify the direction from your location. If you have enough energy you can construct a yagi of #16 wire taped to the ceiling oriented toward the locus of the transmitting location.
Sorry, you confused me for a while. You said that you were going to use the window frame as an antenna (which means a metal frame of about the right size) then proceeded to add wires to it. I suppose you actually mean using the (non-conducting) window frame as an antenna support?
Then you confused me again. You said you were going to use a folded dipole, then described an arrangement of wire which sounds more like a double delta than a folded dipole.
For a loop or folded dipole you need approximately one wavelength of wire: about 3m or a little short of 10'. I think that should fit your window frame reasonably well. Don't cross it over, just have a rectangle with the 300ohm feeder attached across a small gap wherever is most convenient.
Then you confused me again. You said you were going to use a folded dipole, then described an arrangement of wire which sounds more like a double delta than a folded dipole.
For a loop or folded dipole you need approximately one wavelength of wire: about 3m or a little short of 10'. I think that should fit your window frame reasonably well. Don't cross it over, just have a rectangle with the 300ohm feeder attached across a small gap wherever is most convenient.
You could use the window frame as a loop antenna! Unfortunately, a window frame 20*34 inches (L*W=0.43 meters^2) is tuned to about about 5 meters. If you could use 2/3's of the height you're tuned to 3 meters -- in the middle of the FM band.
Antennas with multiple loops are very selective, however. The gain is a function of the angle from the transmitter, Cos θ (theta). They also like capacitative tuning which raises the Q and increases the gain.
Antennas with multiple loops are very selective, however. The gain is a function of the angle from the transmitter, Cos θ (theta). They also like capacitative tuning which raises the Q and increases the gain.
I must apologize for the confusion. I get the different kinds of antenna mixed up.
DF96 - The window frame is made of wood, so I can fashion most whatever I want and securing the wire around the edges.
jackinnj - I see no reason why I can't use 2/3 of the window frame height. I have a curtain that will be covering the window, so it won't be visible from the inside.
I'll do some more experimenting and see what I can come up with. Thanks you both for the input.
DF96 - The window frame is made of wood, so I can fashion most whatever I want and securing the wire around the edges.
jackinnj - I see no reason why I can't use 2/3 of the window frame height. I have a curtain that will be covering the window, so it won't be visible from the inside.
I'll do some more experimenting and see what I can come up with. Thanks you both for the input.
I should drag my HP3577A up to the 2nd floor and play with a loop antenna for WQXR on its new frequency of 105.9MHz -- they traded their high power slot at 96.3 when they became a public radio station -- and reduced their transmitting power by 90%.
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