Application:
Hey Guys, I have a 18ft fiberglass boat that I've put a new/cheap sony explod stereo in.

Background:
The stock antenna always gave me problems with poor reception & appears to have been very short from day one. It a 1ft long wire with plug that looks just like a cars. But then it's outer coating and wire is just cut off. The small inner wire is about 3 ft long.

My EE friend tells me that I ought to have a two wire antenna and to run the wires in opposite directions.

My questions:
Do I just splice into the outer wire and run it in the opposite direction?
What lengths should these wires be?
Is there an optimal guage I should be using?


Regards,
Rich

 

Thanks for all the replys guys.

Here is what I found out via just messin with it.

I cut the wire insulation back and soldered on a 4 ft small copper wire.
Spread the two apart in the hull. This was very hit and miss for stations about 30+ miles away. I could drape the wires over the side and the signals were strong. Bring them back inside and it was just inconsistant.

Well, I just figured it is what it is and was trying to attach the wires to something up under the deck. Low and behold I touched the wire to a windshield stud and *HELLO*! It got just as good if not better than hanging wire over the side.

Even my wife made a comment (w/o knowing I did this) about how many stations we can now get.

Sometimes ya just learn more by doing....

Rich