Antenna recomendation

You probably need a directional antenna because you are likely dealing with multipath. I suggest that you go to Radio Shack and buy their FM only outdoor antenna for $20. Their computer designed yagi is an exellent unit, and don't let the snobs tell you differently. Nothing else you can buy for under $100 even comes close. Bring it home, and hold it in your hand and see if you can get a good clean signal. Compare it to your rabbit ears and/or any little powered unit (Terk et al). If you problem is not solved, take the darn thing back to Radio Shack and they will refund your money. If it turns out that you do need the outdoor antenna, you can put it in your attic or use it as a decoration in your son's bedroom.
Cheers,
Sam

If you would like more information on antennas, I suggest the ARRL Handbook, or better yet the ARRL Antenna Book. Remember, FM is at 100MZ (1 meter). You might also try the WWV web site. A one time, they had an extensive review of FM antennas, including a review of the Radio Shack unit, complete with modification instructions. Because I read that review, I replaced my large and expensive Channel Master with the cheap, but better Radio Shack. Actually, I stacked two of them, but that?s another story.
Remember, fashion may change, but physics does not. Most "new" products are only marketing ploys. Radio is really very old technology.
Cheers,
Sam

I listen on a McIntosh MR-71, which has a meter showing multipath and I live on the South face of a mountain and the local broadcast stations are in the city a few miles to the North. If Phil has a multipath problem like mine, which I suspect he does, then a powered omnidirectional will not be of much help. For short wave listening I use an MFJ powered antenna. Using battery power and low noise amplifiers, it works about as well as a long wire, but is much less hassle. For FM, I have used the Radio Shack powered FM antenna and the TERK. Both were little better than an old 8 ball TV antenna. I suspect this was because the amplifier noise was too high.
I suggested the ARRL books to give Phil access to a little information concerning the priorities and trade offs of various strategies. I don't have to live with his wife or neighbors, but the preferred approach is a yagi mounted on a mast at least 35 feet above the ground plane. I do not now, or have I ever, suggested that I, or anyone, knows it all, but the ARRL knows quite a lot.
Cheers,
Sam