help with AIW FM tuner getting better reception...

Swifty2003 · Mar 31, 2005, 06:54 PM

I'm getting very fuzzy reception on my FM tuner. I stripped off the cable off the end and connected it to a metal cloth hanger, but no dice... Maybe I need to buy an antenna at radio shack or something. I just don't know what exactly I need though.

Can someone point me in the right direction to see what type of antenna I should get for the FM receiver even after my science experiment which was supposed to fix my problem.

Here are a list of Radioshack antennas:

http://www.radioshack.com/search.as...e1=submit&SRC=1

also, if you know of another site which has some antenna that will work please link me. Thanks

Swifty2003 · Apr 2, 2005, 03:55 AM

no responses huh...

swimtech · Apr 2, 2005, 07:05 AM

TV is an FM signal. The FM band is between broadcast tv channels 6 and 7 (if memory serves) so buying an antenna for FM reception is the same as buying for VHF TV reception.

The biggest baddest antennas can reach out beyond a hundred miles or so, but the terrain conditions where you live (hilly-mountainous vs. flat) will make a big difference in your reception. Antenna ranges are rated generally for flat terrain.

Note also, that you can buy rotors and antenna amplifiers to attach to the antenna (the high gain antennas are directional and get their best reception when pointed in the direction of the broadcast antenna) . The rotor motors and controllers are around 50.00 (US) or so, and an amplifier is extra. As I remember, ATI recommends an amplified antenna signal for best results with their TV tuners and AIW cards.

If this seems like a lot to go through for good FM radio - it is. But, free HDTV comes over an antenna too now...

EDIT: Forgot - the Radio Shack antennas should be good (your link doesn't work though) as they used to be made for them by Channel Master (or Winegard) - respectable brands for many years. Just get the best one you can afford (with a rotor and amplifier if you're way out in the country or in the mountains or tall hills), put it up as high as you can and ground it well (lightning protection...), and cross your fingers. Really - you never know what you're going to get until you try it unless you have neighbors you can talk to that have an antenna. It's hit or miss where I live...

Mar 31, 2005, 06:54 PM	#1
Swifty2003 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 80 Rep Power: 0	help with AIW FM tuner getting better reception... I'm getting very fuzzy reception on my FM tuner. I stripped off the cable off the end and connected it to a metal cloth hanger, but no dice... Maybe I need to buy an antenna at radio shack or something. I just don't know what exactly I need though. Can someone point me in the right direction to see what type of antenna I should get for the FM receiver even after my science experiment which was supposed to fix my problem. Here are a list of Radioshack antennas: http://www.radioshack.com/search.as...e1=submit&SRC=1 also, if you know of another site which has some antenna that will work please link me. Thanks __________________ AMD Phenom II X4 945 \|\| Sapphire HD 7870 OC CrossFireX \|\| Asus M5A88-V EVO \|\| 8GB DDR3 G.SKILL \|\| Seasonic X750 Intel Core2Duo E8400 \|\| PowerColor HD 5450 \|\| Gigabyte P35-DS3L \|\| 4GB DDR2 G.SKILL \|\| Enermax 431W Folding@Home...

Apr 2, 2005, 03:55 AM	Thread Starter #2
Swifty2003 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 80 Rep Power: 0	no responses huh... __________________ AMD Phenom II X4 945 \|\| Sapphire HD 7870 OC CrossFireX \|\| Asus M5A88-V EVO \|\| 8GB DDR3 G.SKILL \|\| Seasonic X750 Intel Core2Duo E8400 \|\| PowerColor HD 5450 \|\| Gigabyte P35-DS3L \|\| 4GB DDR2 G.SKILL \|\| Enermax 431W Folding@Home...

Apr 2, 2005, 07:05 AM	#3
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 124 System Specs	TV is an FM signal. The FM band is between broadcast tv channels 6 and 7 (if memory serves) so buying an antenna for FM reception is the same as buying for VHF TV reception. The biggest baddest antennas can reach out beyond a hundred miles or so, but the terrain conditions where you live (hilly-mountainous vs. flat) will make a big difference in your reception. Antenna ranges are rated generally for flat terrain. Note also, that you can buy rotors and antenna amplifiers to attach to the antenna (the high gain antennas are directional and get their best reception when pointed in the direction of the broadcast antenna) . The rotor motors and controllers are around 50.00 (US) or so, and an amplifier is extra. As I remember, ATI recommends an amplified antenna signal for best results with their TV tuners and AIW cards. If this seems like a lot to go through for good FM radio - it is. But, free HDTV comes over an antenna too now... EDIT: Forgot - the Radio Shack antennas should be good (your link doesn't work though) as they used to be made for them by Channel Master (or Winegard) - respectable brands for many years. Just get the best one you can afford (with a rotor and amplifier if you're way out in the country or in the mountains or tall hills), put it up as high as you can and ground it well (lightning protection...), and cross your fingers. Really - you never know what you're going to get until you try it unless you have neighbors you can talk to that have an antenna. It's hit or miss where I live... __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it. Last edited by swimtech; Apr 2, 2005 at 07:16 AM.