How do I connect an external fm antenna to a small portable fm receiver. it only has a telescopic rod and no external antenna facility. how do I connect it

I don't know but will take a guess - I expect the radio is a vintage am/fm transistor radio. The am antenna is likely to be a ferrite rod tuned directional type that will be inside the cabinet.

The fm antenna might be a single core wire that dangles from the set in the way commonly used by many fm radio-alarm clock-radios. This performs the same function as the single telescopic antenna of portable radios without the cost and similarly is connected internally to the first rf stage. Sometimes due to age, mishandling or ignorance the dangling wire is lost or cut off.

A higher quality table radio (not designed to be portable) is equipped with a facility to connect a 300 ohm balanced antenna, a 75 ohm fm antenna or both.

The 300 ohm type connects to a pair of screws accessible at the rear without removing any covers and is usually an indoor type. The 75 ohm type plugs in with a standard coax plug and could be either an indoor type or an outdoor type.

A matching transformer is available to use a 75 ohm antenna with a 300 ohm input. The 300 ohm type is highly directional in horizontally polarised signal areas and is not always convenient to use.

A web search for your model turned up a blank. You aren't kidding about having it for years. I'll give you some generic information about AM radio reception and hope you find something useful.

Generally, AM reception is through a wire coil wrapped around a ferrite (very fast magnetic material) rod. Received signal strength is dependent on the angle between the rod and the radio station's transmitter antenna, so rotating it in a horizontal direction (around an imaginary vertical line through the center of the receiver) is often helpful. The angle of the best direction can be affected by nearby equipment (metal appliances, ductwork, computers, etc.)

Many non-portable audio receivers and a few boom box types have both an AM and and FM antenna terminal on the back. The FM antenna is very much like a TV antenna (you can use a TV antenna) and is generally required to get FM reception except in units with a telescoping antenna mounted to the case. The AM antenna is used to augment the coil signal, and is generally needed only if you are trying to pick up a weak signal. Attaching a wire to the AM terminal may help (make sure you have a good electrical connection between the terminal and the metal of the wire). This wire will also have an optimal angle for best reception. Try arranging it vertically; many AM radio stations transmit vertically polarized signals for the benefit of car radio antennas.The longer the wire is, the better, but it doesn't have to be very large. The physical limit is about 110 yards, the practical limit is how much you can stand to have stretched out behind the stereo. (A thin wire going up the wall to the hook behind a picture will probably not attract much attention.)

Portable radios often use a single telescoping antenna for both AM and FM along with the internal coil previously described. If you have this, experiment with antenna position and radio location. I have been told that some early model LED light bulbs may interfere with AM radio reception, especially if they are within a few feet of the radio.

yes there is an coax to ant adapter. Check walmart or Radio Shack if they are still in business.

Both of my Marantz receivers use a 75 ohm coax input. The receivers included a single wire antenna that simply plugs in. The plug is suitable for coax cable going to an external antenna. You can also get a small 75 to 300 ohm transformer that will allow you to use a dipole or other common indoor FM antenna.

Many boombox antennas are attached by a small screw through the pivot point. This is usually a #1 Phillips screw. Some do not have a swiveling antenna; for these you have to remove the back of the case to get at the attachment screw. Keep the screw; it's guaranteed to fit when you attach the new antenna.

The hard part is finding a replacement. If you have the pivoting/swiveling antenna, the Radio Shack 28" Replacement Telescoping Antenna 270-1405 ($5.99 online) will probably work. You might even be able to use it for a non-pivoting antenna that telescopes into the inside of the case.

I would highly recomend a magnum dynalab ST2 antenna. You can't go wrong with that.

HI there,

Well Yes you can improve the reception, please follow the below steps -

Improve FM Radio Reception -
 
1. If you don't have an antenna connected to your FM receiver, purchase a simple dipole antenna--a simple T-shape flexible wire-- and connect it to the FM antenna inputs on the receiver. Because FM signals are directional, you'll want to experiment with the positioning of the wire to find the best reception of the station you're trying to receive.
 
2. If you're still not getting a good signal, try an indoor amplified antenna, which you'll find at an electronics store. Don't buy one unless you get a guarantee that you can return it for full credit if it doesn't solve your reception problems.
 
3. If your signal is weak because you live a long way from the transmitter, install an outside antenna and mount it as high as is practical. If you're primarily interested in getting signals from one station or from a group of stations in one direction, get a directional antenna and point it toward the transmitters.
 
4. If you're using a portable FM radio where the only antenna is the power cord, stretch the cord as straight as possible and experiment with positioning again.
 
5. Temporarily switch to monaural mode to improve a weak signal on an FM receiver.


Improve AM Reception -
 
1. Gradually rotate the radio 360 degrees. Leave it in the position where it sounds best.
 
2. Reverse the AC plug if it isn't polarized. (If you can flip the plug over, then it's non-polarized.)
 
3. Plug the radio into a different AC outlet.
 
4. Move the radio closer to a window.
 
5. Experiment to learn if appliances and powered products in your home are causing interference: computer monitor, television, electric blanket, light dimmer, fluorescent light, hair dryer, air conditioner, smoke detector. If possible, turn off the offending item. Otherwise, move the radio to another room.
 
6. Upgrade to an external antenna if your receiver, tuner or radio has a place to connect one.
 
7. Buy a passive AM antenna that doesn't need to be connected to a radio or receiver.

Good Luck!!

Thanks

I haven't done this, but did find information that might help.

Watch A Battery TV With A Converter Box
http://www.digitaltvtrainer.com/national/showme-battery-tv-converter

I presume that you wish to connect an external antenna/aerial to a portable radio with no antenna connection. Wind several turns of your antenna wire around the telescopic antenna - should work ok!

Product Specs: General: Product Type Radio antenna Recommended Use Indoor Width 3 in Depth 16.9 in Height 3.5 in Color Black Localization English Antenna: Wave Band AM, FM / FM: 87.5 - 108 MHz, 540 - 1700 kHz Impedance 75 Ohm Gain Level 42 dB Amplifier Built-in Included Accessories Connector coupler, impedance transformer Connections: Connector Type 1 x FM antenna ¦ 1 x AM antenna Power: Power Device Power adapter - external Manufacturer Warranty: Service & Support 1 year warranty Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 yearlet me know how this works out for u