FM Tuner Antenna Question

Is the center copper wire on your antenna wire (input) sticking out past the connector end too far? This can cause problems. It should not protrude past the connector hosel. If it is, just clip off the offending length of copper antenna feed so that it is flush with the hosel surface. (Approximately 1/4 inch of bare copper wire will be exposed in total). I hope this information helps you.

Well, if I cut that extra length off, I won't be able to connect the center wire without connecting the shield. Remember, I am getting better reception with the shield or threaded portion not connected, just the center copper wire. BTW: I am using the 25' coax that came from FanFare.

This is due to poor antenna design. You are using the shield of the coax as part of the receiving antenna. Screwing the connector on shunts the signal being received on the shield to ground. This lessens the amount of signal available to your tuner and changes the directionality / capture angle of the antenna, therefore lessening the quality of the signal that you hear.

According to the testing that i've done, this specific antenna ( Metz, Magnum, Fanfare ) does NOT work very well inside of a building. Bare in mind that just because something works, doesn't mean that it works "good" or as good as other options. A standard wire dipole will typically mop it up in performance. The drawback to the wire dipole is that it is directional and you may have to re-orient it for best reception on specific stations. One could two wire dipoles in a "cross" fashion and produce a relatively omni pattern. While this would be dirt cheap to do, it would also be twice as ugly : )

If you want the Fanfare to work decently, you'll have to get it outside and out in the open. Sean
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This is due to poor antenna design. You are using the shield of the coax as part of the receiving antenna. Screwing the connector on shunts the signal being received on the shield to ground. This lessens the amount of signal available to your tuner and changes the directionality / capture angle of the antenna, therefore lessening the quality of the signal that you hear.

According to the testing that i've done, this specific antenna ( Metz, Magnum, Fanfare ) does NOT work very well inside of a building. Bare in mind that just because something works, doesn't mean that it works "good" or as good as other options. A standard wire dipole will typically mop it up in performance. The drawback to the wire dipole is that it is directional and you may have to re-orient it for best reception on specific stations. One could two wire dipoles in a "cross" fashion and produce a relatively omni pattern. While this would be dirt cheap to do, it would also be twice as ugly : )

If you want the Fanfare to work decently, you'll have to get it outside and out in the open. Sean
>

What I mean to say is that the center copper conductor, if protruding TOO FAR, might make for unintentional contact with other metallic objects in your tuner chassis. The receptical is designed for about 1/4 inch of copper for its intended antenna connection. By loosening your connection you may be relieving the extra length of unintentional "short circuiting" but not making the necessary ground connection. In short, If the copper conductior is too long, try trimming it. You have nothing to lose, as the termination is easily remade.

Thanks for your responses and ideas. Since I get great reception and sound with the shield disconnected, I will leave it that way since I get plenty of signal and a minimum of multipath. I was just curious as to why this might happen.