Need Help with FM reception.

S

schaerl

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18 Linpark Crescent, Cape Town, 7140
Hi,

I am from Cape Town area and would like to know more about FM Antenna installation for best reception etc.
I bought a new one (sort of weird looking) and have it up but my FM Receiver are having a hard time
staying tuned. For example, I switch it on in the morning and it has perfect reception (with RDS - T-Mode)
which is how I want it to be all the time. But the Receiver slowly start to lose the Signal and RDS after a while,
then no Signal unless I switch the T-Mode off (Auto and RDS) on the Receiver.

The most confusing part is to figure out how the Antenna should be turned (vertical or horizontal) or even if
it is the wrong way around at the moment :-)

Here is a pic of how it looks ...

WP_20171023_14_02_01_Pro_LI.jpg
 
Is it perhaps your receiver unit. We have a very smart state of the art PA system, there is a op amp on the receiver that went 3 times already. How to find it? it gets very hot.
 
No, that is a volt drop resistor. You can measure there resistance. What unit is that, name, model number. The components I refer to look like, or is a 8 leg ic
 
If you can get someone with a comms monitor, you can measure the signal strength on your antenna and but a signal towards your radio.

Or your signal is very low on the antenna or your unit got a voltage that is drifting. Does your tuner show the frequency, can you find out if that is the correct frequency, ie use another radio in a car or so, to verify the tower frequency.

The antenna that we use look similar to an old tv antenna.
 
Hi Robert,

Right thanks,
The frequency is the same as on a mini system I use. I know that there are two transmitters for the same stations - Constantia and Tygerberg and I have it pointing at the Tygerberg one now.

Yes I was looking for the Ellies 5 element FM antenna, but could not find one on the day. Btw. the dealer said I can also install this antenna horizontally (ie the two rounded parts forming a horseshoe shape), but it involves a bit of extra work as the end where the two meet are the wrong way around.

AND (sigh) also noticed that a FFC cable and it's female socket were not properly secured on the circuit board (Video) next to the tuner board (actually the corner of the circuit board just under the female 17 pin socket were broken off) and the contact of the pin nearest the corner were little loose.
There are two circuit boards next to each other - 1. The tuner board (small) with 17 pin fem. and 2. the Video board which is quite longer. If I were them (Marantz) I would have put all that on one board (no need for extra connections etc.) The FFC cable have a 1,25 or 1,27 pitch. So now I am trying to find a 17 pin socket like the one in my previous photo (that's the video board one).

This is really ****, seeing the damage on the board as I was hoping on solving the reception thing!
 
How about some detail on that antenna please? Make and model number?

Can't see the logic behind bending a pretty standard dipole like that and want to read up on what was going through the designers mind ....

That cable is pulled too tight --- too much strain on the connections. Should have put a loop on the cable at the antenna and a drip loop on the cable before it goes into the house. Why did he install non UV protected cable?
Pretty ropey installation if you ask me.

And what is that pig tail? The earth? What is it connected to at ground level?
 
Last edited:
Geoff.D said:
How about some detail on that antenna please? Make and model number?
Click to expand...

Hi Geoff,
I've been wanting that answer myself :-) - Just phoned the store (Victoria Cash Store) and the guy said AerialKing is the supplier, but on the antenna itself there is nothing to go on, just a sticker with "SHOP +" on it. There are designs
similar to this when you google dipole, but not the same make.

Can't see the logic behind bending a pretty standard dipole like that and want to read up on what was going through the designers mind ....
Click to expand...
It can be done (without bending), inside the end of the tubes there is a rod for joining. The end where it is fastened is bit flattened to provide a better fastening fit, so when changing to the horizontal design the whole method changes.

That cable is pulled too tight --- too much strain on the connections. Should have put a loop on the cable at the antenna and a drip loop on the cable before it goes into the house. Why did he install non UV protected cable?
Pretty ropey installation if you ask me.
Click to expand...

Well it was me who put it up :-) - I will fix that (only a temporary install for now), I was thinking of getting it higher than it is now as well as there is a higher point where it can go.

And what is that pig tail? The earth? What is it connected to at ground level?
Click to expand...

Yes the earth, connected to 'who knows where'
There was an old UHF grid on there before, so I just thought I'd use it as it is.
 
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