You really need a directional outdoor antenna. The FM2G doesn`t cut it. Your poor reception has ZERO to do with grounding.
FM rooftop antenna grounding problem
I just installed a Fanfare FM-2G antenna on my roof. Previously I had the antenna sitting next to my stereo system in the basement. I figured that since it is now 30 feet higher that the reception would improve.
It's actually worse. I took the tuner to various points in the antenna feed where I made connections: The 2-way splitter, and the connection to the grounding system. At the splitter input of the splitter, the antenna provides about 2 bars (the tuner has around 10 bars total of signal strength) over no antenna at all. However, before the connection to the grounding system, there is a substantial difference in signal strength between the antenna feed and no antenna.
For the grounding connection, I use a device that consists of a double-female coax connector with a set screw to accomodate #6 copper wire, which I connected to one of the grounding rods in the same place where the telephone ground inserts. The grounding rods run to the main electrical panel where it also communicates with the cold water pipe.
Am I doing something wrong with the ground connection?
Michael
It's actually worse. I took the tuner to various points in the antenna feed where I made connections: The 2-way splitter, and the connection to the grounding system. At the splitter input of the splitter, the antenna provides about 2 bars (the tuner has around 10 bars total of signal strength) over no antenna at all. However, before the connection to the grounding system, there is a substantial difference in signal strength between the antenna feed and no antenna.
For the grounding connection, I use a device that consists of a double-female coax connector with a set screw to accomodate #6 copper wire, which I connected to one of the grounding rods in the same place where the telephone ground inserts. The grounding rods run to the main electrical panel where it also communicates with the cold water pipe.
Am I doing something wrong with the ground connection?
Michael
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