MacGregorSailors.com

I am about to install a stereo system in the cabin. West Marine has two internal model AM/FM antennas listed (1 store brand and a Jensen apmlified model).

Can you tell me what you have used as an AM/FM antenna? Internal, external, mast mounted or ???

Paul

I used an antenna on our powerboat that looked just like a piece of wire - it worked quite well. fiberglass boats have no metal like a car to shield it. It is cheap and easy, and works well. If I ever put a fm radio in, I will probably go with that

Paul

Easy solution:

Take your existing VHF aerial and use it to also get your FM/AM reception. One antenna, no hassle. Works a treat.

Pacific Aerials SBS VHF/AM/FM Band Splitter

We have good results with an "automobile" powered-type FM antenna bought at a car parts store.
About 8 bucks or so.
It's much like those wire "T" antennas that come with stereo receivers, but with a small amplifier inline.
It gets energized with the radio's ON switch via a provided 12v output wire.
It's mounted behind the small mirror at the daggerboard trunk, in the same general area as my radio.
AM reception isn't great, but that's not an issue for us.

When I installed the stereo in my , I used one of those flexible automobile type antennas and just pushed it up through the overhead bracing. It was simple to do, just remove one of the larger hole plugs and push it in. It is snug enough to not allow movement once it is in.

Gary

I use a handheld VHF so I opted for a small stereo antenna from Waste Marine. I ran the wire through the same boot as the motor control cables and right up the gallows.

kmclemore wrote:Easy solution:

Take your existing VHF aerial and use it to also get your FM/AM reception. One antenna, no hassle. Works a treat.

Pacific Aerials SBS VHF/AM/FM Band Splitter

Like Kevin said. Use your VHF antenna for your AM,FM.8-track.
I've used the one made by Shakespeare on page 127 of the West Marine catalog (Model 247413). Maybe someone can do a link. I don't know how to do that.

Hey Bill...Where can I buy an 8-track?

Crikey I have had two of those splitters but neither was any good, one was US frequencies and the aussie one did SFA so just ran a piece of 4mm wire and strapped it around the lifeline and it works great.
Will have to fix it one day but can't seem to find one that will work inside, maybe I should makle the effort.
Bob

I followed Hardcrab's advice and installed a device which is similar to this one:

http://www.sourcingmap.com/universal-ca ... 27883.html

Mine works great!

I had one of the Shakespeare antennas on a long cruise, but on the Twelfth Night it gave out...

Hope it wasn't much ado about nothing. My radio too connects to a Shakespeare antenna conveniently attached to the stanchion. Height--about two feet above upper deck level. Range--who knows.
I noticed last summer when I forgot to attach the antenna that my radio was still accessing the local weather station. Seems that the antenna did not make all that much difference.
I'm sure things change considerably when it comes to open seas

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote: I've used the one made by Shakespeare on page 127 of the West Marine catalog (Model 247413). Maybe someone can do a link. I don't know how to do that.

I used the Shakespeare splitter and it works really well. My antenna is on top of the mast and that gives me great reception with am/fm. Some would say it also degrades VHF, but with the antenna 30' up there, it's still better than most who's is 8' above the waterline. With VHF, height matters. My am/fm comes in great.

West Marine link for the "Band splitter"