FM/VHF Antenna recommendations

[kittyhas1000legs]

Good morning all,

I have my Newsky SDR set up through SDR#, and I really like it so far. The one little(?) hitch is that, for now I have it connected to my TV antenna (Antennas Direct DB8). It seems to do well with some FM stations, but for others, I need to turn up the gain on either the antenna amp or SDR#. If I turn it up on the amplifier, the FM stations come in really well, but TV reception suffers (probably amplifying the noise too much with the signal). However, if I adjust the gain in SDR#, some FM stations improve while others degrade. I figure that the best way to deal with this would probably be to get an FM or VHF antenna.

Here are the things I'm considering:

(1) VHF or FM antenna for the SDR, and the separate amplified UHF antenna for the TV tuners, or
(2) Combine the VHF and UHF through a UVSJ, connect that to the amplifier, then to the SDR and TV tuners in the hopes that I can get VHF 10 & 11 in my area.

Either way, what sort of antenna should I get? The only VHF stations in my area are 10 & 11 so I was thinking of getting a VHF-hi antenna, but they're made for channels 7-13, and FM is between 6&7. It would be better, but not ideal. An FM-only antenna would of course be great, but might not get me channels 10 or 11 too well.

Just in case, here are my TVfool and FMfool:




Thanks in advance!

 

[SignalHill]

I like discone antennas. They are omnidirectional and can cover a wide frequency range. Perfect for scanner use.

I'm using the FunCube+ dongle and SDR#. Tons of fun!

cheers
fred

 

[kittyhas1000legs]

I'd love a discone, but I'm pretty restrained by the space on my balcony and the annoyance of the landlord. For now I was thinking of something flat that I could have overhead like these:

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...-FM-Antenna-(FM6)&c=AM-FM Radio Antennas&sku=

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...ls-713-(Y5713)&c=TV Antennas&sku=716079000987

That way, I could keep it overhead and save some room.

 

[Joe DC]

For TV keep your DB8 for TV only. Its a good antenna for your situation especially if you could pull in the UHF duplicates of ch 10 & 11.
I second a separate discone antenna for the SDR. Your FM stations are spread out over 360 degrees so a directional FM antenna will have to be turned for different stations. The discone is omnidirectional and will receive a broad range of frequencies. You can even use your SDR as a police scanner with the plug in software and the discone.
The discone is not large only about 30" diam and 30" high.

 

[FaT Air]

Another alternative, that's really innocuous, would be a jpole made with 300 ohm twinlead.
I have one for the scanner and it's a performer. Does a bang up job of VHF and UHF. Even receiving 800Mhz trunking up to 25 miles away. ~35ft in the air. And it's cut for 155Mhz.
If cut for FM(88-108) it will be longer, but would easily fit in a closet, hang on a wall , etc.

 

[TheTechGuru]

Your desire to combine things are going to complicate things.

TV VHF/UHF has a horizontal polarization while VHF/UHF HAM, business, and public service radio stuff is generally vertically polarized.

I would get this dual band VHF/UHF vertical JPole antenna for radio SDR stuff and just get a normal flat horizontal TV antenna for TV.

http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-008600



I'm planning on getting that JPole for my HAM soon, I'm just still searching for the correct crimp connections to use the bulk RG11 coax I already have with it.

 

[wildbill47]

For restricted space you need a antenna with built in amp for the frequency range desired. The TV band has shifted and is 180 mhz and above. An old RV antenna has a built in amp and requires 12 volts and works from 60 mhz up.
The J-pole is really a performer but is narrow band. I use one to communicate with International Space Station on 2 meters and have QSL cards to prove it. The ones I use are made out of 1/2 inch copper pipe with a L and T fitting. K6PKL.com
the radio I receive is Free on C and KU satellite bands 4 services.

 

[kittyhas1000legs]

Your desire to combine things are going to complicate things.

TV VHF/UHF has a horizontal polarization while VHF/UHF HAM, business, and public service radio stuff is generally vertically polarized.

I would get this dual band VHF/UHF vertical JPole antenna for radio SDR stuff and just get a normal flat horizontal TV antenna for TV.

http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-008600



I'm planning on getting that JPole for my HAM soon, I'm just still searching for the correct crimp connections to use the bulk RG11 coax I already have with it.

Interesting, I hadn't thought of the polarity.

For the next month or so I'll be putting my antenna plans on hold since I may be moving to another building in my complex. If that happens my "fun" money will go to getting a proper dish stand/NPRM and finally put my dusty dish to use. Then I'll probably get a discone for the SDR. I'll probably skip VHF for TV since I don't necessarily need the CT ABC station or MA NBC. Also, having a DB8, VHF TV, discone, and dish (or two) on the balcony might drive my fiancee crazy.

For now I'm using a cheapo RCA rabbit ears on my balcony for the SDR, which seems to work better than the DB8. The local fire/police/medical transport are booming.

 

[Nascarken 91xg]

Well I hate to say it but if you have the space get one antenna
That does hi&,low vhf,uhf antenna,solid signal.com!
I can't wait to worm up my stacked/6m,12,element beems
Side by side,150ft run of Rg8u,now the guy's that got me in to.
Ham radio could not believe what I had.for an SWR.a flat 1.
73,

 

[spongella]

Been a discone man for 27 years for 25 MHz and up and 43 foot vertical for LF-HF. Easy up easy down.

But if your landlord is antenna-averse you could try an indoor beam antenna. The ARRL handbook has some nice designs. I made a few out of PVC pipe and welding rods. Set them up on a camera tripod and twist by hand. No worries about the weather, and coax run is real short. Also fun to see signals increase/decrease as you manually turn the beam.

 

[mikelib]

Your desire to combine things are going to complicate things.

TV VHF/UHF has a horizontal polarization while VHF/UHF HAM, business, and public service radio stuff is generally vertically polarized.

I would get this dual band VHF/UHF vertical JPole antenna for radio SDR stuff and just get a normal flat horizontal TV antenna for TV.

http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-008600



I'm planning on getting that JPole for my HAM soon, I'm just still searching for the correct crimp connections to use the bulk RG11 coax I already have with it.

Have one of the Arrow J-Pole on my roof, I bought it at Dayton a couple of years back from the "Arrow Man" himself.

It works well.