Do stays/shrouds make good FM radio antennas?

[dman535]

My radio is mounted near a bulkhead where the side stays attach. It would not take much to attach a lug to one of the bolts - and then wire it to the stereo as an antenna. Any thoughts on this being a good/bad idea? My initial test seemed to indicate that it improved reception.

Thanks

Derek.-
1979 C27

[Gary M]

You can buy simple little anntenas for FM at places like Radio Shack, some have a powered booster. They do not cost much and I believe would work much better. Just install it in a cabinet etc. no need to mount it outside.

Gary

[merc2dogs]

Anything that is NOT grounded will work as a recieving antenna.

Remember, antennae operate by converting electromagnetic signals into electrical current, so you will be running low current through your rigging.

Ken.

[eolon]

The standard antenna on an AM/FM radio is about 30 inches long because that is an average compromise of the wavelengths of the span of radio frequencies. Various designs can be shorter by coiling the conductor, or by using 1/4 wave or some fraction of the desired wavelength.

Anyhow, your shrouds will need to be tuned to some length which is an average wavelength factor of the FM broadcast frequency range. I'm not sure how you would do that - plus, you would need insulators between the wire and the mast and the toggle and the chainplate. That would be difficult, also.

Interesting idea,though.


Best Regards,


e

.::.

[MJBrown]

I don't know about FM recpetion but it can make a heck of a TV antenna. Even my swim ladder alone does a great job.