FM Antennae

[sabray]

Is there a simple way to get fm reception on board? Like ground one end and the other goes to stay/ coat hanger. I dont have any reception or antennae but miss NPR and other broadcasts that I could get if I had a clew.

[Patient]

What Stereo do you have?

[richardhula]

I have this 3 foot Shakespeare antenna at the top of the mast. Click on image for more details.

[sabray]

A Jenson. It has a aux input so the Ipod runs music into it and a Cd player. Regular automotive jack for an antennae. I could go buy an antenna but thought it might be easy to hook up an alternate means.

[skipmac]

NOTE: these are quick, cheap and dirty suggestions to get you some sounds. There are "better" more elegant, technically better solutions that will greatly improve your signal and range but these will work.

If you have a marine VHF-FM radio on the boat you can share that antennae with the FM stereo by using this

2 Way Coaxial Switch

or this.

VHF / Stereo Switch

Used them on my boats for years and had no problem and no noticeable loss of range on the VHF.

If you don't have a marine VHF on the boat then select whatever type plug fits the antennae connection on the back of your stereo and run the wire out to a convenient location. If your connection and the wire you use is shielded coax (the stuff with a thin wire in the middle, then a layer of insulation all wrapped in a woven wire covering) then you need to strip some of the woven covering off the outside since the single goes into the radio on the small, center wire.

Height is range for FM so if you want to pull in more stations raise the end of the wire. You could wrap the bare end of the wire around a SS shroud or stay to get a higher antennae.