Extending FM antenna?

[de8212]

I have an old bookshelf type radio/cd player in my office at work. The FM signal has alot of static in it where it sits on a shelf. I moved it to the other side of the room and the quality is perfect.
Problem is I'd rather have the unit/speakers back on the shelf. Is there any inexpensive way to extend the wires? I can get some cat5 cable if that would work. Or if there's any other cable that I could get from Lowes/Home Depot that would work also. I don't really want to invest much $ into this if I can help it.

 

[Modelworks]

You need :
2 x baluns - may be called 75 ohm to 300 ohm transformer
coax cable

Radio Shack parts for examples. They charge quite a bit for baluns so may want to look elsewhere, usually they cost about $3 each.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2103912
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=3909635
Baluns convert the 300ohm two wires that most receivers have on them for fm to 75ohm coaxial . Put one on the stereo end , run the coax , then one on the antenna end and connect antenna. If the stereo has spring tab type terminals it is okay to cut off the balun ends and strip the wire and use it that way.

One tip if you have cable tv. Many people do not realize that cable systems often do not filter out FM signals . I have connected my stereo to the cable system in many cities and got excellent reception because of the antennas they use to get local tv channels also often receive fm stations. Some filter them but most do not.

Same parts online:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=180-010
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=189-178

Cost online for everything needed : $3 + shipping

 

[de8212]

wow, thanks for all the help. I'll look at the link. I was hoping it was just as simple as connecting another two wires to the existing antenna and that would be it.

 

[Modelworks]

wow, thanks for all the help. I'll look at the link. I was hoping it was just as simple as connecting another two wires to the existing antenna and that would be it.

If you just connect two wires then the whole wire becomes the antenna and with antenna the length of the elements picking up the signal are very important. So making them longer than they should be would be bad. Coax keeps the antenna at the other end so to speak.