FM Antenna....Help!?

[geocachenut]

Okay....I'll try to describe. In the galley area, I have one cabinet on the left, one on the right, and a center "control panel" which has a car stereo installed. I would like to place a car fm antenna behind that panel but am getting very little signal. I really hate the idea of drilling a hole on the side of the trailer for the antenna. Any ideas?

[jss06]

Do you have an aluminium exterior? If so any inside antenna will not work well.

[Woodbutcher]

I don't have an FM radio, but I do have a TV antenna. I ran a coaxial cable to the bottom of the trailer, just sticking out enough to attach another coaxial cable to it when I set up. My antenna is attached to an extended painters pole that I clamp to my shelter leg. Works great. Can't see why you could not do the same.

Not the best picture but The pole is clamped to the shelter and extends up about 8 feet. The coaxial connection is just behind the fender.

[working on it]

If you don't have a metal exterior, just wood and paint like mine, you can use a marine antenna (for boats). I believe they are made to work when no metal ground plane is available (to attract/focus the signals). A boat is usually made of fiberglass or wood (old school), so no metal ground plane is present. I may be confused about the particulars of why they work, but I put one behind my sound system inside the cabin. I have enough openings any way; didn't need another. Works great (though there are three coats of aluminum-flake paint over it), even inside my garage.

[geocachenut]

And it is wood, with an aluminum skin...you think the marine antenna will still work?

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[working on it]

And it is wood, with an aluminum skin...you think the marine antenna will still work?

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371697030.458697.jpg

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1371697103.291260.jpg

I don't really know if the signal will penetrate the skin. Try two tests: get a portable radio, or MP3 that picks up FM signals, then (1) hold it in the region you intended for the antenna and check your signal strength, and (2) then put it in line with your doors/windows. If (1) works, then a marine antenna should increase the signal strength in your chosen spot, and if (2) is necessary for a good signal, then maybe you could mount the antenna in that location, perhaps covered or disguised by curtains? Cloth (non-metallic) is transparent to FM waves.