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Thread: Increasing FM Radio Reception on an aluminum boat - any tricks to try?

  1. 06-12-2019, 11:11 AM #1
    artcarney_agr
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    Default Increasing FM Radio Reception on an aluminum boat - any tricks to try?


    I've got a radio on my boat, AM/FM/Weather, it has a short stubby antenna that's about 9" long. Are there any tricks I can try to get better reception?

    My boat is aluminum, I'm wondering if running a jumper wire from the antenna to a bolt on the hull would help - would that basically make the whole hull act like an antenna and help with reception?

    Is there some little gadget on the market that boosts radio reception?
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  2. 06-12-2019, 11:22 AM #2
    DEADEYE
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    There is such a thing as a FM antenna booster, had one years ago worked well
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  3. 06-12-2019, 11:37 AM #3
    artcarney_agr
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    Quote Originally Posted by DEADEYE View Post
    There is such a thing as a FM antenna booster, had one years ago worked well
    I have come across a few of those while doing my research, apparently there are a lot of generic ones on the market with mixed reviews, I can't seem to find one with good reviews.
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  4. 06-12-2019, 04:36 PM #4
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    I can tell you that running a wire from the antenna on the radio to the boat is a bad idea. When your boat is in the water it is effectively a ground. You didn’t say what type of radio you have, but if it has the ability to attach an external antenna running a wire from the negative terminal to the boat will help tremendously. The two most common connectors for external antennas are the Two Screws type where one is ground and the other is the antenna element. The other type is the Automotive type which looks like a deep hole in the back of the radio. For that type you will need a coax connector.


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  5. 06-13-2019, 08:38 AM #5
    artcarney_agr
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    Quote Originally Posted by Clint View Post
    The other type is the Automotive type which looks like a deep hole in the back of the radio. For that type you will need a coax connector.
    The automotive type is what I've got.

    My radio is in a box, and I have an antenna on it. What's weird is I have great reception with the radio box lid off, but when I put the lid on the reception goes to crap. I'm starting to wonder if it's just a junk antenna.

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  6. 06-13-2019, 09:42 AM #6
    shuorc
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    plastic box?
    <*(((((><
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  7. 06-13-2019, 10:07 AM #7
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    It sounds like the connection between the radio and the antenna is bad. With the lid open the wire that is supposed to be connected to the antenna is acting as the antenna.


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  8. 06-13-2019, 10:08 AM #8
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    It looks like a standard auto antenna so replacing it should be easy.


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  9. 06-13-2019, 10:49 AM #9
    JUS1MO
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    I would say the antenna is your problem..
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  10. 06-13-2019, 10:53 AM #10
    artcarney_agr
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    Quote Originally Posted by shuorc View Post
    plastic box?
    No, aluminum.
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