It could be painful if you are unable to listen to your favorite radio station on FM because of weak signals. But, by using an FM antenna booster, you can increase the signal capacity that your antenna receives. In addition, amplifying your signal might be needed if you plan hear FM broadcasts located far from you.

Fortunately, the most basic FM antenna boosters aren't too expensive however, you don't need to purchase one. You can reduce costs by building it yourself. DIY FM antenna boosters are equally effective as the ones you buy. However, first, what are antenna boosters and how can you make use of them?

What is FM Antenna Booster?

In simple words it is a simple concept that an FM antenna booster is a gadget used to boost the reception of an FM antenna.

It allows the FM radio receiver will effectively receive weak radio signals as though they are strong. This means that an FM antenna booster increases the power of reception for your FM antenna.

Most of the time, the farther away you are from broadcasting stations, the less signal you receive.

Therefore, if you are far away from any radio stations, signals getting to your antenna might not be strong enough to produce audible sound.

To combat this An FM antenna booster will increase the signal to ensure that the antenna is able take it in.

Because the antenna boosters amplify radio signals, they're called antenna amplifiers.

The problem is that an antenna booster amplifies the signals coming to the antenna, including unwanted signals and noises.

It even amplifies the sound produced by its own mechanism in the event that it is generating sounds.

To cut down on unwanted signals, a reliable FM antenna booster must be designed to eliminate unwanted signals.

The capability to perform this successfully, together with the ability to detect signals from a long distance are the most important characteristics that differentiate a quality booster from a less-than-stellar one.

How Does an FM Antenna Booster Work?

This booster lets you hear clearly a broadcast from an FM station located far away from you. It can also help improve the signal quality if you live in an location where signal strength is not strong.

The majority of FM stations broadcasts on a particular frequency. The frequency generates sound waves which send the signal from the broadcast.

Your FM antenna detects the signal, and then sends it to the speaker , making it acoustic to you. The tuner amplifies its signal.

If the signals picked up by the antenna is too weak, it may not be able to produce audible sounds.

A weak signal might be caused by being a distance that is between your and the station that broadcasts.

It could also be due to physical obstructions, like mountains in between the station as well as your home.

Other causes that could cause weak signals are a problem with your antenna and the presence of another broadcasting station which could be more powerful and interfere with signals from the other station. In this case, a booster plays its role.

A booster will pick up the signal, and then multiply it before transmitting it onto the antenna.

At the time it gets to the antenna, it will be at a point that it is able to produce clear, clear radio.

The booster works in various ways since there are various kinds that FM antennas boasters that employ different operating principles.

In its most basic form, the booster is made up of external wires attached to the wiring of the antenna. It increases reception by increasing the length of the antenna.

It could also comprise an amplifier specially designed to amplify the signal prior to transmitting it to the antenna.

How To Build Homemade FM Antenna Booster

Naturally, FM antenna boosters are not costly, but at the same time, they're easy to make. You can make them yourself and remain safe.

You don't have become an expert before constructing a homemade FM antenna booster. It is also not necessary to have special tools.

With common items and an electronic component, you can create a homemade AM antenna booster. Below are the few tools you will need.

Tools

Wire stripper

Screwdriver

Measuring tape

Electrical tape

Wire cuter

Utility knife

Step by Step Guide

Step 1

With a wire cutting tool, cut a cable in the range of 7.7 feet from a spool of electrical wire.

Step 2

At the other end of the cord, you can remove insulation of up to 1/2 inch length from both of the wires that make up the cord.

Step 3

From the stripped end of the wire, count 5.1 feet along the length of cable. Wrap the point with electric tape.

Step 4

From the point you marked with the electric tape using a utility knife to remove the insulation between two wires within the cable until you reach the very end of the cable (not the naked end, but instead the other end). This will give you 2.6 feet.

Take the two wires in the 2.6 feet length, so that the whole 7.7 feet create the shape of a T (2.6 feet bar and 5.1 feet high). You don't have to use the 7.7 inches wire in order to use it.

Whatever length you decide to go for, the ratio between the straight and branched part must be 2:1.

Step 5

By using a screwdriver, loosen the two screws that have wires attached to the FM antenna and remove the wires.

Step 6

Connect one of the naked ends of your cord to one end of one of the two wires that go around the screws that join the FM antenna.

Repeat this procedure for the second antenna wire as well as the opposite end of the cord.

Step 7

Attach each of the set of wires (the original antenna wire , and the cord you connected to it) to the junction where you joined them. Connect them to each screw and then tighten the screws back.

Step 8

Finally, place both ends on the wall.

Now, you're done. you've successfully connected an antenna booster to your FM antenna.