Author Topic: Putting antenna to tuner  (Read 18766 times)

Offline Carlman

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Putting antenna to tuner
« on: September 23, 2007, 04:52:20 PM »
I have a great old tuner, McIntosh MR-65b that's been completely overhauled.  I can't wait to actually hear it... but, I don't know what to do about an antenna.  I have an extra run of coax to my attic where I can install an antenna, then run it to the coax jack behind the hifi.
Couple questions...
What kind of splitter do I need to go from a 75?ohm coax to whatever the Mc likes... which has screws.  Is it something like what you used for coax to the screws on a pre-cable-only TV?  Would I be better off with something inside?
Also, what kind of antenna is good?  Are there good brands or certain qualities to look for?  i.e. should I avoid any particular materials, look for certain kinds of grommets, etc... I need it to work a long time and do its job well.

Thanks for any advice,
Carl
I really enjoy listening to music.

Offline richidoo

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2007, 05:42:48 PM »
Hi Carl, welcome back.

Some links of products that might be helpful:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=180-075
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/al-ffff.php
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/rf/index.htm

Quad shield RG6 with good connectors is recommended. Ground it and any mast you use to hang it directly to the elec service earth rod with at least 12 ga copper continuous runs. One ground wire from cable shield ground block to earth where it enters the house, and another separate run of copper ground wire from mast to earth - don't split the ground run to make a stop at the ground block like I did.  :duh  Tighten your ground connections every year or more. If they come loose you're in trouble!

FM reception is line of sight, so usually 25 miles by the curvature of the Earth. If you want farther you gotta get up higher and/or use a more efficient design. Directional Yagi types are the strongest reception, but probably the least convenient, APS makes the best but they are huge. Asphalt shingles do shield FM radio, so attic placement is not as good as outside, up high. Good stations around here though. Good luck! The Godar models and that APS Intenna look promising for non mast types. Indoor has the advantages of no worries in lightning storms and no grounding headaches or hum, but reception will be limited to Durham stations and strong triangle stations.

Other stuff to look at:
http://fmdxantenna.com/proddetail.php?prod=14rec
http://www.ccrane.com/antennas/fm-antennas/fm-reflect-antenna.aspx
http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/antenna.html
http://www.godarusa.com/
http://www.antennaperformance.com/
http://www.magnumdynalab.com/antennaoverview.htm



Avoid Terk at all costs, total shit.

Bigfish8

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2007, 06:01:14 PM »
Carl:

You might also check out this site:  http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

Since you are using it for FM you will need a rotator on the antenna mast to allow you to point the antenna to obtain the highest possible signal.

Ken

Offline Carlman

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2007, 05:51:59 AM »
Cool! Thanks for the advice!!!!  :D
I didn't even see that little coax connector... I can at least hear a few stations now using an indoor TV antenna I had... :)
I'll take a look at the antenna options...
I really enjoy listening to music.

Offline rollo

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2007, 07:07:29 AM »
Don't forget about the Magnum Dynalab Antenna. Very good and easy to install yourself.



rollo
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Offline rollo

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2007, 04:03:35 PM »
Thanks Doug. Didn't know that.


rollo
contact me  at rollo14@verizon.net or visit us on Facebook
Lamm Industries - Aqua Acoustic, Formula & La Scala DAC- INNUOS  - Rethm - Kuzma - QLN - Audio Hungary Qualiton - Fritz speakers -Gigawatt -Vinnie Rossi,TWL, Swiss Cables, Merason DAC.

Offline richidoo

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2007, 12:16:09 PM »
Doug, I know you're a radio man, so a couple quick questions for you. Have you ever heard the Parasound Halo tuner? Are there any solid state devices to replace a mechanical variable capacitor?
Thanks
Rich

Offline richidoo

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2007, 02:15:59 PM »
Thanks Doug. I have a TU 717 and very happy with it, but always curious as to the latest state of the art. FM evolution appears to be slow.

Offline richidoo

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2007, 06:51:15 PM »
Stereo Surgeons did mine last summer. Great job.

Offline Carlman

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2009, 06:26:04 AM »
FYI, I couldn't be more pleased with the reception and sound quality of the MR-65b w/ upgrades.. Thanks for the adwice and the good deal. :)

Now I'm doing 2 subs.. thankfully Lonewolf has posted a decoder so I can follow Doug's advice even better!  :lol:

-C
I really enjoy listening to music.

Offline Carlman

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2009, 09:43:03 AM »
This is my first high-end tuna.  I'm just soaking it in.  I'm just glad you suggested it when we were doing that trade however many years ago.  I wouldn't know what to compare if I were to replace it with another.  I like the way it smells, too; nothing else smells like 44 year old electronics. 8)

I might swing the omni-directional antenna around a little just to see what it does... but so far it's tuning in everything I want to hear with aplomb.

Thanks again,
Carl
I really enjoy listening to music.

lonewolfny42

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Re: Putting antenna to tuner
« Reply #11 on: May 17, 2009, 10:33:26 AM »
ps - thank nathan for the decoder, lonewolfny only appropriated it for a while.   :rofl:

You are correct doug....I'm always "digging up something"....
So I'm on to my next avatar.... :rofl:

Wear your "ring" with pride.... :beer: