DIY FM Antenna question.

[Stuck]

I'm looking to fit an antenna to the stereo in my fibreglass boat. Not wanting to drill holes in the cabin has lead me to this design (I like it because it's simple) http://www.google.com.au/url'sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=25&cad=rja&ved=0CEgQFjAEOBQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.circuitdiagram.org%2Fdiy-fm-antenna.html&ei=a9NDUt3_C6mhigev9IDQCw&usg=AFQjCNECemHwfZHkriAIOSenDect0t5teA.
My question is, Would it matter if both "arms" of the antenna do not sit exactly facing away from each other ?. I was thinking of running them internally along the tops of two windows that sit at about 100 degrees to each other. Any thoughts ?.

Thanks,
Anthony

[dingsy]

A vertically polarized antenna would work a lot better for a mobile FM receiver (which is why cars use whip style antennas) if you install how you're suggesting you would need to point the boat in the right direction to pick up the signal. Best option would be a vertically polarized antenna with some internal levels to give good vertical gain (narrower beam) while still being very omnidirectional in the horizontal plane (think squashed donut).

So I guess in short no I don't think it will work very well but I've been wrong before.

I hope this helps a bit.

Cheers,

Matt

[snowbound]

I don't think it's a viable option. I would go with a whip type antenna and look at
ground plane options. Obviously being fiberglass its not that easy, but I have seen them on old Reliant Robyn cars in POME land but not sure how they did it. Off the top of my head idea. Get an old sub-woofer magnet and a light gauge steel plate to afix the antenna on to. Use the magnet to hold the plate in position sandwiching the fiberglass of the boat? That way you don't need to drill holes. Just a thought, you can play around with the concept....

[ajge]

Hello
As others have said that design is not suitable for your boat.
Something like this Marine - AM/FM/TV | GME (http://www.gme.net.au/products/antennas/marine-amfm/AE346B) is what you need. I know you don't want to drill a hole in your boat, they have different mounting options available .
Regards
Andrew

[Stuck]

Thanks for the replies. It seemed a bit too simple but I still can't bring myself to drill a hole in the old girl.

[Hoges]

Can't you use an induction type pick up through the fibreglass along the lines of the windscreen mounted antennae for mobile phones?... just wondering:angel:

[Mick_Marsh]

You could give this design a go.
http://www.wryr.org/Antenna_instructions.pdf
Stick it on the ceiling.

I think this one is directional.
http://www.cyberpoet.net/writes/web/infwiz/spant.html