It is not my intention to hijack an email discussion intended for weak-signal
VHF operating and contesting.
Since the heylcon days of commercially-made FM antennas, the band itself has
changed considerably. The FCC relaxed their rules to allow for a massive influx
of LPFM stations, and then low powered translators. In most parts of the
country now, “clear” frequencies without a single local station are rare in the
United States.
This places a premium on an antenna’s ability to separate stations, and
maintain a high F/B ratio.
The other change to the band is rising EMI noise levels. Switching power
supplies, and other noise sources require much more care in the siteing of an
antenna to avoid noise. Low-noise feed points such as the LFA would also be
desireable.
Ideally, I’d love to find a manufacturer to not only build a high-performance
FM antenna, but also to revisit the design of antennas for this band.
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF
les@highnoonfilm.com <mailto:les@highnoonfilm.com>
121 Mayfair Park
Maylene, AL 35114
EM63nf
NRC & IRCA Courtesy Program Committee Chairman
Member WTFDA, MWC
Perseus SDR, AirSpy + Discovery, SDRPlay RSP Duo, Sony XDR-F1HD [XDR Guy
Modified], Korner 9.2 Antenna, FM-6 Antenna, Kitz Technologies KT-501 Pre-amps,
Quantum Phaser, Wellbrook ALA1530 Loop, Wellbrook Flag, Clifton Labs Active
Whip.
“Nothing but blues and Elvis, and somebody else’s favorite song…”
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