what would be a good FM antenna that i could mount in the attic. I live in the city. (houston).

Winegard makes a fine quality fm antenna for attic and roof top installations. Model is the pr6010. It has two elements; one north south, the other east west. The antenna elements are about 2 feet long, and the height is about 20 inches if memory serves me well. Remember a balun for coax (at either end, depending on the receiver)

Inexpensive, works great.

Antenna Performnce, the best FM antennas available, period


jcmitch

Have used the Terk FM pro many times ( electronic ) seems to do magic many times also

I also have used the TERk product and had really good success. I have not found a way to improve AM reception... Any thoughts?

Check out C. Crane Co., particularly this AM antenna.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

These are all good choices,though the true performance of whatever you are using really depends on the material the roof/structure is made from.FM is lower frequecies and will be more foriving than upper frequecies.I live in california and install a ton of FM and Local HDTV(UHF)I have been uing a omni for FM and the Winegard 90/05 though add a Concrete or similar type roof and I'm dead in the water.Line of site,how close are you to the Ant site,it all plays a role.

By "FM is lower frequecies and will be more foriving than upper frequecies", may I assume you are not including AM in that comment?

FM has a much shorter wavelength. Car antennas, for example, are best for FM when set at 31" long; for AM, the longer, the better. In home, a di-pole seems to work well for FM.

For AM, there's no substitute for wire, wire, wire. The longer, higher plain pl' wire you have, the better. Long wire = long wavelength = low frequencies.

Also, you should ground the AM GRD terminal. (Occasionally, the reception will be better without the ground, but that's rare, ground loops not withstanding.)

Personal opinion: The weather protection afforded an attic antenna beats the gain seen by having it a few feet higher, shingles and nails included. Metal is, of course, a different story.

Man, the thought just hit me. Imagine having a copper roof. Now there's an AM antenna for you! Now imagine it being hit by lightning. Better have a good lightning arrestor! (Still, I'd try it!)

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

i m not sure who makes it-but theres a whip antenna out there with a built in amp--bracket included. i believe would work well in an attic -i've only used it outdoors--but it is powerful.

Larry...great sense of humor too...we'll have to change your handle to lightening larry...ok i know...i'm grounded ;)///

The whip antenna I know of is made by Magnum Dynalab, and I have always had good luck with it. It however does not have any sort of active amplifier built in.
Try www.Magnum Dynalab.com and look for the ST-2 FM antenna. It retails for about $100.00

that's the one-

Magnum Dynolab is a gift from the gods

Radio Shack has one that looks like the Winegard PR-6010. The stock number is 15-2164 and sells for $15.
I have used about 100 of them, all in attics, and the work great. Usally pulls in stations from 75 miles.

Try the Fanfare FM2G. You can buy it on their website. In our store, we hardly sell a receiver without one. Over 200 and counting. Nice product.