Forum Discussion

MustangDan74's avatar
MustangDan74
Explorer
Sep 06, 2018

Is this antenna for FM Radio & how do I connect to it?

I have this antenna on the roof next to my crank-up TV antenna. Is this antenna for radio, and if so, how do I connect my Sony RV AM/FM/DVD stereo to it? The stereo unit has a single wire antenna currently connected to it and it doesnt receive hardly any stations.

Thanks-Dan

20 Replies

  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    I do agree without a yard stick standing next to it hard to tell if it is CB. Ham or AM/FM

    Better than a yard stick, a meter stick
    FM is the 3 meter band so a quarter wave is about 75cM (3/4 of a meter)

    Ham is 2 meter so it's 50cm (half a meter)

    Cb will be none of the above. and will have a coil at the base.

    If it is an AM/FM it has a standard "Motorola" plug, this is a coaxial plug where the tip is extended beyond the outer shield/sleeve And it's not really designed to attach to a home type radio.> But is to a car radio.. (Which has the matching hole in it.

    Most "home" radios will have 2 screws.. You can use a clip from the TIP of the antenna lead to one screw and a second clip lead to ground (Or the sleeve) but frankly that's not the best option. Impedances of the feed line are not anything I'm comfortable talking about.

    You can also use a 75 to 300 ohm balun (Transformer) but finding the right adapt-a-connector may drive you bonkers.. I know where to look and even I have issues finding 'em.
  • It is a AM/FM antenna. IF it is installed on your trailer, then it IS connected to a radio in the RV. They do NOT install AM/FM antenna's from the OEM if they do NOT have a factory installed Radio/Sound System. Doug
  • I have a antenna like that on my class C it is for the outside radio. You Sony stereo is hooked the same as mine and gets the same results. For music & news I use a smart phone and apps Radio Garden & pandora both are free.
  • It looks like a ham radio antenna for 2 meters. If you can snap a picture of the base it would really help.
  • Should have a coax type cable with a male plug on the end to go into your stereo.
  • I would expect that ant. to be connected to your stereo. Are you sure it isn't?