FM Stereo/Antenna for Trailer - How to Pickup Weak Track Signals

[65Shoebox]

Hi all. I am wondering if anyone has advice on the best type of FM stereo and antenna to add to my trailer to be sure we can pick up those low power signals used by most tracks for broadcast of PA.

My plan was to add an automotive AM/FM Stereo/CD player, and then put an antenna on top of my removable flag pole (patriotic, yes, but mainly a homing device in the sea of white boxes.)

A directional Yagi style antenna would seem to make sense, but I am wondering what others are using with good results.

Any advice or expereince is appreciated.

Greg
2000 S/ST - D2

[RACER1530]

Hey Greg,
I just used a universal antenna from the local auto parts store.
i mounted it permanently to the roof,got it in black so i disappears,you dont even notice it there,it works great everywhere we go.

[65Shoebox]

Does anyone else have feedback on this? I have seen several people using directional antennas.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Greg

[63corvette]

Originally Posted by 65Shoebox

Does anyone else have feedback on this? I have seen several people using directional antennas.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Greg

I think you will find the directional antennas are used for transmitting the pager system signals to the staging lanes for weather and stop data.
The super classes that use those are pointing them at the staging lanes and starting line to make sure the signals get there. If you are parked quite a distance from the lanes it does make a difference.
The radio station signals I think will be picked up by most any antenna. I just use a cheap one and it works fine.
Just My 2 Cents
Rick Cates

[Chris Williams]

We just use an antenna from a car stereo place, and for the tracks with FM, it's all good almost anywhere. You just have to put it on the outside of the aluminum metal Faraday cage (your trailer).

I found that the brand of radio makes a huge difference. I had a Sony in our trailer and couldn't pick up squat. Talked to a car stereo guy and he said Pioneer has the best tuners, by far. Switched to a cheap one of those, and it picks up anything.

There are a couple of local tracks that still use AM, and holy cow, you can't pick that up unless you're standing under the speaker for the PA Turn your generator on (or your neighbor does), and you're screwed too. Haven't found anything that works for those.

And Rick's right about the directional antennas. I think they're outbound, not inbound.

[Bob Armstrong]

Try this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

[Chris Williams]

Originally Posted by Bob Armstrong

Try this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

That's the one I got from my local car stereo place and put on the outside of our trailer. Works fine.

[Michael Pliska]

Originally Posted by Chris Williams

There are a couple of local tracks that still use AM, and holy cow, you can't pick that up unless you're standing under the speaker for the PA Turn your generator on (or your neighbor does), and you're screwed too. Haven't found anything that works for those.

You must have raced at PIR The factory stereo in my dually receives AM better than most, and with it I can only hear the broadcast from about the water box to the 330' mark (I bracket race my truck some weeks). Woodburn has an awesome transmitter, I can hear it clearly from the freeway. I always tune in as I take the exit so I can see if they are running cars yet (to know how quickly I need to unload).

Thanks for the tip on Pioneer, I was about to research the same thing, planning to add a stereo to my camper and probably get a 2nd one as an upgrade to the one in the trailer.

[Chris Williams]

Originally Posted by Michael Pliska

You must have raced at PIR The factory stereo in my dually receives AM better than most, and with it I can only hear the broadcast from about the water box to the 330' mark (I bracket race my truck some weeks).

The two I was thinking of were Bremerton and Seattle. You can SEE the tower at Bremerton and still not pick up the radio signal... And Seattle, with the winding road course, esp. during the nationals when you could be well past the finish line, it's a lost cause. Have tried the radio in the truck, but now just rely on listening for other people to head up there...

[Philip Saran]

Thanks for the information, I've got a am/fm/cd radio in my cab over
camper with a antenna mounted on the outside of the camper.

Since I only have an open car trailer at this point, the camper radio
will have to do.