Home Antennas For Weak AM or FM Stations? (online)

[anononcty]

Any tips for diy antennas to help keep or tune in weak am/fm stations? Have had some luck coiling wire around pencil then factory antenna. Saw some online stuff but now we're into box size antennas with wire stapled to cardboard.

[ncole1]

As the saying goes among some radio engineers, ”height is everything”.

For the FM broadcast band, you want the antenna to be above the height of trees/buildings/other obstacles if possible. That may even matter more than what type of antenna you have (dipole, bowtie, Yagi, etc.).

For the AM broadcast band, you want a really tall, vertical metal pole antenna if you can get it, or a very, very long wire.

[NORTY FLATZ]

Topography has a lot to do with reception. Also, how much iron ore is in the mountains/hills surrounding a valley that you may be in.

OP~ Are you on a "crest" or a "trough?"

[BECLAZONE]