How can I add an external antenna/antenna jack to radio w/internal antenna? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SwampYankee · #1 11-04-2009, 12:58 PM

I've got a Sony under-counter (kitchen) clock stereo/CD here at work and some days I just can't get decent reception with it and other days it's great, both AM and FM. I've got Sirius and listen to that through the radio's Audio In jack but some days I like to listen to terrestrial radio.

I know squat about electronics but I do know how to use a soldering gun and am not afraid to tear into it. I'd prefer to install a jack so that it's easy to disconnect the antenna and move it if I want it somewhere else in the building that I might be working.

Is it as simple as soldering a connection to where the internal antenna is? I'd imagine Radio shack must sell something I could use.

Looking for suggestions. Thanks!

Palangi · #2 11-04-2009, 01:29 PM

Most AM radios use a built in ferrite loopstick antenna. For FM, it might have the functional equivalent of a whip antenna.

In either case, a simple inductive coupling might help. Get a length of insulated wire, and wrap, say, 10 to 20 turns around the radio, then extend the remainder of the wire (say, 10 to 20 feet) around the office wherever you can find a place for it. (Higher is better, but avoid flourescent lights). That should get you a better signal level, however it may or may not also increase the noise level. (My dad used to do this so he could hear the baseball broadcasts in his shop, deep inside the AC Spark Plug plant).

If the indoor inductive coupled antenna is not satisfactory, try one of the Terk products:
http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/GenProductListCmd?type=nprev&catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&categoryId=5062&langId=-1&page=&urlString=&productId=&brand=

SwampYankee · #3 11-04-2009, 03:31 PM

Thanks, I'll give it a shot!