FM Transmitter Antenna

[UncleBuck]

I purchased an FM transmitter from EDM and forgot to purchase the rubber duck antenna. I tried Radio Shack and couple other local electronic stores and was unsuccessful finding one with the correct connector. Any suggestions!!

[chrisatpsu]

for those of us that don't have that type, can you post a pic of the connection?

[Jeffl]

I wouldn't think a rubber duck would do much.  I have this antenna and it rocks.

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[Steve Gase]

I wouldn't think a rubber duck would do much.  I have this antenna and it rocks.

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Dennis Cherry (in this forum) builds identical antennas to this item...  it works great!
if Dennis isn't making them now, then the link here would be a good choice.

[bisquit476]

It uses a regular RCA jack. I've used the supplied test antenna for the past 3 years with not a single problem.

[rrowan]

one of our members did a great job in the wiki writing up info on antennas.

Different types and how to build your own

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Rick R.

[Dennis Cherry]

I wouldn't think a rubber duck would do much.  I have this antenna and it rocks.

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Dennis Cherry (in this forum) builds identical antennas to this item...  it works great!
if Dennis isn't making them now, then the link here would be a good choice.

I have built Ground Plane Antennas for the past 3 years, however this year, due to moving to another part of the country, I will not have any available until next year.

[DonFL]

I bought a rubber duck with a bnc connector on ebay, picked up a bnc-rca adapter from another vendor (using an edm), and have been pleasantly surprised by the performance. From garage to where the road is on my property is probably 1500 feet, and it did just  fine.

Look carefully for a rubber duck cut/matched for FM freqs, not the generic wide band scanner antenna you'll typically find. Here is an example: 

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[UncleBuck]

I got it figured out. The test antenna works just fine, I just needed to find a good channel to transmitt from. Thanks everyone for the help.

[Jeffl]

Just don't run the test antenna at the 100mw setting.  I think EDM warns against it.

[Dennis Cherry]

EDM warns you against using the test antenna only for test purposes ONLY.

EDM always recommends using an antenna tuned to your operating frequency no matter what power setting.

Reason is keeping the transmitter from heating up and reducing the operating life.

[jnealand]

I got it figured out. The test antenna works just fine, I just needed to find a good channel to transmitt from. Thanks everyone for the help.

Try this link to help you with selecting a channel
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[rm357]

There have been a lot of discussions on various transmitters and transmission in general. You need to resist the temptation to go big... Output power should be turned down to the minimum level that will provide the coverage and quality you want. If you live on a 100 acre farm, go for the half watt or bigger output, but if you live in an area where lot sizes are less than an acre, 10mW is more than adequate. I run about 2 milliwatts and cover my street and most of the streets next to mine. You can hear the music well before you can see my house.
RM

[DonFL]

There have been a lot of discussions on various transmitters and transmission in general. You need to resist the temptation to go big... Output power should be turned down to the minimum level that will provide the coverage and quality you want. If you live on a 100 acre farm, go for the half watt or bigger output, but if you live in an area where lot sizes are less than an acre, 10mW is more than adequate. I run about 2 milliwatts and cover my street and most of the streets next to mine. You can hear the music well before you can see my house.
RM

Very good point..and the key to solid performance, at minimal power, is a good antenna, and a good impedance match between transmitter and antenna. Do that, and there is no need for going down the "more power is better, and what I need..." path.

[combustionmark]

I use an edm and an old dipole on the lowest power. The coverage is good and just as the display is in view, the signal is good and clear. I see no point in a larger area, it would be like a TV with a blank picture.

Have Fun