Audio Systems: Stereo Antenna, tower models, distant stations

Question
Maybe you can answer my question. If you can't, no biggy. I have a fairly old compact stereo system. A sanyo thats about 5 years old. I need an antenna that will allow me to pick up slightly distant stations and to make weaker signals much better. I bought a "terk omnidirectional" antenna today. It has a knob that lets you go from low to high power. But whenver i adjust it to try and pick up distant stations, local 100,000 wat stations bleed over! Just wondering if you know of any antennas that might work better at this?

Answer
Dear Brandon,

Since you didn't tell me what model Terk you have, it's difficult to say how I'd suggest you adjust it.

To reel in distant stations, I suggest the directional "tower" models, an elongated wedge that stands about 17" tall. The main difference between these and "omnidirectional" models is that you can aim them at the signal you want to capture. That way you stand a better chance of avoiding interference from locally strong signals. The tower models are designed to stand straight up, but Terk suggests that you lay them on their side and point them at the signal for weak or remote stations. I've done this with fairly good results. However, I don't have a strong local signal causing any interference.

I suggest you take the omnidirectional model back to where  you purchased it and exchange it for a tower model. Go to www.terk.com for a look-see at their tower model.

Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot you can do about the strength or signal dominance of the local station. Folks complain to the FCC about this phenomenon all the time, but there's little that can be done about it. The maximum station wattage allowed in the US BTW is 50K watts. If you're getting interference from a 100K station, you must live close to the US/Mexican border. 100K signals are legal and fairly common on the Mexican side--and you can't even complain to the FCC about them!

Another thought. I live about halfway between two stations which occupy the same space on the FM dial. The stations are far enough away from each other that the FCC allows them the same frequency slot. But sometimes I want to listen to one, and the other either shows up or pops in and out. Equally maddening...until I deliberately aim the Terk tower antenna. It works.

Good luck! And thanks for choosing allexperts.com.

Kindest regards,

Kevin