🚀 go-pugleaf

Chris Sidi wrote:
> 
> I just bought a FM tuner card[0] for my computer, and I'm recording off
> the radio in realaudio.  The tuner came with a cheap T-shaped ~6 feet wide
> wire antenna (dipole?).  Most stations I'm interested in come in well, at
> least in mono (e.g.  WRFG 89.3).
> 
> If I join the arms of antenna together (and maybe wrap it into a 5 inch
> bow), I can pick up 97.5FM, but there is always some noticable static in
> mono no matter how I drape or pin up the antenna.
> 
> I'd like to get 97.5 in without static, and maybe get more stations in
> good in stereo. Any suggestions?  I'm living in a house in home park, so I
> could make a small outdoor antenna, but I wonder if that will help since
> when this antenna's arms are spread out, it only gets 97.5 in one
> position, and the rest is total static/other stations.  Also, IIRC WREK's
> chief engineer once recommended people around here ball up FM antennas, so
> I wonder if a bigger antenna just asks for more interference.

The problem you are experiencing is known as multipath.  It is caused by
reflections of FM waves off of buildings, trees, etc.  Height and
adjustment are the things you need to try.
First, try a cheap rabbit ears.  Try moving it around a lot.  Next step
would be an outdoor antenna.  Mount it as tall as you can while still
making it adjustable for direction.  FM is very directional, so try
different mounting positions.  Good luck!