FM radio antenna position

[PAC3142]

So, while a cold front passes, we are sitting below in our just launched boat listening to the world's best radio station, WRNR Annapolis (any disagreement will be ignored). Only, our reception is lousy, and they are playing some great stuff. The station is around 15 miles away, but we discovered the FM antrnna is under the head sink close to the waterline. Not ideal. I've cluged something together with duct tape so I can listen to a clear signal while writing this, but I need a permanent solution. Ideally one that does not require going up the mast.

Any recommendations? Where is your well performing antenna located? (...middle school boys don't need to reply)

Paul

 

[Jacktar]

About 3 feet of ribbon style fm antenna run athwart-ships at the radio.

 

[Ron20324]

Are you listening to the AM or the FM broadcast?

 

[centerline]

on our small boat, the "tape" antennae is hidden behind the hull joint trim inside the boat.... the coax exits at a bulkhead and runs to the radio... I have had two different radios in the boat, (the one that came with the boat, and now the upgrade unit) using that antennae, and they have both picked up signals as good as any system Ive seen elsewhere... the antennae is cheap, the radios are not high dollar either, so it must be the location of the antennae that makes it work so well...

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

You will obtain max performance from an antenna for FM frequencies by placing it as high as possible. Fiberglass will not attenuate the signal much but any nearby metal may depending on proximity and polarization. Since most broadcast FM signals start out as vertically polarized, having a cross-polarized antenna would be ideal but not always practicable.

 

[Gunni]

I had the same problem when I removed the boosted TV antennae my PO had installed - it made an awesome FM antenna. In it's place I installed a 12v auto radio antenna booster that provides great reception. I stuffed the wires up into my overhead race. Currently anchored 25 miles out of Annapolis and I am bringing in WRNR (the greatest Radio Station) in stereo. Don't be tempted to mount a TV antennae, they make great Osprey perches!.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Not sure what to make of the advice from people who call it an "antennae".

 

[justsomeguy]

It's an aerial, Donnie.

 

[Gunni]

You should make nothing of my advice Donald, it was not directed at you.

 

[Head Sail]

This may sound crazy but my FM antenna is connected to the 1-2-B switch C post. No sparks have flied yet and good reception.

 

[Stu Jackson]

We use this:

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--interior-am-fm-antenna--222184

I have to move it around down below sometimes. Go to West Marine's website and search for FM antenna. There are many different ones.

 

[Captn Scotty]

Mine is attached to the outside ground on my vhf and it works extremely well...go figure?

 

[PAC3142]

Gentlemen,
Thanks very much for the advice. This is number 17 on my boat to do list, so I may actually get to it this year.
Paul

 

[PAC3142]

A quick update: I installed this splitter to use the masthead vhf antenna. It works very well.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/shakespeare--antenna-splitter-for-marine-antennas--247413
If you do this, make sure you open everything and read instructions before going to the boat. It requires some soldering best done at home. The instructions for soldering are a bit vague, but this video was useful.