Stellar Labs,Outdoor FM Antenna OMNIDIRECTIONAL

This is the second one of these that I bought and installed. They are amazing antennas. I live in RF challenged valley and we’re lucky to get any out-of-county stations even though we’re only 100 miles out of Sacramento and Bay Area. Putting these up and feeding them with quality 75 ohm cable, F connectors and a 75 to 300 ohm adapter WILL result in dramatic improvement of FM reception. Stations that were marginal will go full quieting and new stations might appear that you couldn’t even bring in before. The instructions graph a dual pattern that is essentially 360° but has favorable lobes opposite each other. So some directivity is implicit. I have not needed to rotate the antenna to try to eek out any improved signal as some have noted in the reviews here. Nor open its circular configuration to a dipole orientation. Which is an option with the antenna if you want to try more directivity towards a favorite station or stations on the edge of good reception. This is an amazing well performing FM antenna for the price and, even as some reviewers have noted, it can even work as a aviation air band receive antenna. I give this antenna an A+++ all around with no cons.

4/6/25 I live in rural SE Arizona, where stations are typically low-power and on the other side of some mountain. With this antenna mounted 25 feet above ground level, and a Denon receiver, I can receive quite a few stations, including five or so that I like some of the time, one of which is 75 miles away and has a signal strength of -103 dBm at my antenna, according to FM Fool. But it's not very clean, and a preamp would probably help. There's no need for an expensive, super-low-noise preamp specifically for FM, since the typical VHF/UHF preamp these days has a noise figure of less than 3dB (i.e. above atmospheric thermal noise, which is very low), and that's for a 6 MHz bandwidth. Each FM channel has a 200 kHz bandwidth, or 1/30th that of a TV channel, which would reduce the preamp's noise figure for FM. The preamp would require low-VHF coverage and couldn't have an FM trap, unless it could be switched off. Overloading the tuner's input, which has to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, doesn't seem to be a concern when using a preamp in my situation. Some FM-DX experts recommend the Winegard LNA-200, which has a noise figure of less than 1 dB. The RCA 2450 VHF/UHF preamp with a switchable FM trap is another option. Its noise figure isn't specified, other than "very low." I've been using an earlier model (TVPRAMP1R) for years to receive some very weak TV signals, but they're digital with built-in error-correction capability, so that even if they're barely detectable, the audio and video are as good as if the signal were strong. ATSC 3.0 will include radio stations, but in a lossy format. I'm waiting for QDEL/nano-LED technology before upgrading to an ATSC 3.0 set. According to a page which can be found by Googling "RCA TVPRAMP1R Amplifier - TV Fool" (include the quotes), the TVPRAMP1R has a noise figure of between 2.6 and 3.9 dB, depending on the frequency. But this is for a 6 MHz bandwidth (TV channel bandwidth), whereas an FM channel has a 200 kHz bandwidth, which is 1/30th that of a TV channel. The atmosphere's thermal noise for a 6 MHz bandwidth is -106 dBm, whereas for an FM channel it's -120 dBm, which might mean that the RCA's noise figure for an FM channel could be very low. But there isn't a simple conversion factor, because the types of modulation have to be taken into consideration. But because the atmospheric thermal noise is -120 dBm for FM channels, even -100 dBm FM signals should have a good carrier-to-noise ratio, and my tuner should be able to extract clean audio from them if they're boosted by about 20 dB. As mentioned above, it does a tolerable job of detecting a supposed -103 dBm signal (KHYT Tucson) even without a preamp. So, I'll probably try the RCA and revise this review with my findings. Running the antenna cable through the wall I needed to run the antenna cable (RG6, with a compression connector attached) through an exterior wall of a mobile home consisting of thin paneling on the inside, studs spaced 16" apart, fiberglass insulation, and a masonite exterior panel. This required a tube to guide the cable. I ended up using 1/2" conduit (slightly more than 1/2" ID), which required a 3/4" hole. I anchored it with a P-clamp, a short 1/4" bolt, and a link of double-link-chain (see photo). To cut this type of chain, I use Greenlee 722 shear-type wire cutters. Tape can be applied to the conduit to give the clamp a better grip. First, I drilled a 3/16" pilot hole through the inside panel into the stud, and then fastened the anchor to the wall with a 1/4x1.75" lag screw. I then inserted a 3/4" wood bit into the pipe clamp to mark the center of the 3/4" hole. When this is being done, the bolt and lag screw should be centered lengthwise in the chain links, to provide some wiggle-room for error. To get the outside hole lined up with the inside hole, I used the stud and a horizontal window sill as references. I had to put some small blocks of plywood on the window sill to obtain a reference that I could use both on the inside and outside. On the outside, I put a piece of 1/4" fuel hose, slit lengthwise with pointy scissors, over the RG6 to protect it from the conduit's edge and to prevent the cable from bending sharply at that point, where the tendency for doing so is greatest. I also cut up a cat food can with tin snips, although scissors might suffice, to create a "hood" to prevent rain from running down the wall and getting into the hole. I taped it on with white Gorilla tape, although roofing tape would be better.

This is a very good antenna-- but I almost sent it back! Why? It is advertised as "outdoor omnidirectional," but it is not truly omnidirectional, and-- get this-- it can be used successfully indoors! I found out the hard way-- after mounting it outdoors near the peak of a three-story house in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Some rotational adjustment of the antenna is necessary depending on the direction of the FM stations I like to listen to, especially distant, urban FM stations. I can't imagine getting up on a ladder to twist and turn it in the right direction if I want to fine tune the FM reception each time I change a station, can you? I took the antenna down, and I was about to pack it up for a return, when I said to myself, "Let me give it one final try-- installing it indoors, on the interior of my third-floor bedroom, mounting it on something that I can easily adjust." So, I put the antenna on an old 1-inch x 4-foot wooden pole-- a former curtain rod-- wedging the pole vertically in between the contours of a hot-water radiator that is in front of a window. I plugged the coaxial cable that I had attached to the antenna into to the back of my Bose Wave Radio, and "Voila!" FM stations that had been previously inaccessible began to come in loud and clear. This old, wood frame house has a clear view of the Eastern horizon, but the Kittatinny Ridge over in New Jersey prevents any signals reaching me from New York City, 68 miles away. However, if I twist the pole mount on its axis about 20 degrees to the south, I am able to get a clear signal from my favorite public radio station, WHYY-FM, Philadelphia, which has its transmitter located in Roxborough, 67.5 miles from my house. If I rotate it a few degrees more to the East, I get WPRB-FM, Princeton University, which is 56 miles away. These distances are all straight-line measurements. According to the map on the Radio Locator web site, I am OUTSIDE the fringe reception area for both of these stations, but thanks to this antenna, the signals come in clearly. One word of advice: The wide black plastic clip that joins the two pieces of the antenna together is a pretty good pointer. For Philadelphia stations to the South of here, I rotate the antenna until this plastic clip is roughly pointing in the direction of Philadelphia. None of this is in the directions, of course. I am now very happy with this antenna.

Having been an Amateur Radio (HAM) operator since 1954, I have had a lot of experience with antennas, both commercial and home-made. This antenna is simple a folded dipole that is wrapped around in a circle. Hams call this type of antenna a "Halo" antenna. We most commonly use these on the 6-Meter band. In the '60's, they were quite popular for mobile operating setups. While a straight folded dipole is bi-directional with the maximum signal pickup being at with angles to the antenna arms, wrapping the antenna into a Halo configuration pretty much creates a circular reception pattern. In my case, with FM stations surrounding me by 360 degrees, that's what I need. Testing with my spectrum analyzer shows that, as expected for this type of antenna, the pattern of the antenna is not quite circular but is slightly dumbell shaped, with the ends of the dumbell (best signal pickup) being pointed directly along the metal support bracket of the antenna. If you want the maximum signal pickup from a particular station, point the end of the antenna that has the coaxial cable connection box in the direction of the station. This will give got a slight signal increase of about 4 dB. Note that the weakest signal pickup directions will be at right angles to this pointing direction. But, in any case, modern FM receivers are so sensitive that I doubt you will be able to tell the difference unless the signal is so weak that is noisy. In the attached photos, the direction of maximum pickup is towards the right of the antenna, in the same direction that the parabolic antenna is pointed. As for construction quality, the aluminum tube used for the antenna is reasonably thick and quite stiff so it should retain its shape through the years. If you mount the antenna so the coaxial connector is facing downward, then the four small weep holes in the bottom of the plastic case will let any water condensation escape to prevent corrosion of the matching transformer that is enclosed in the box. A nice touch is the inclusion of a black soft plastic boot to cover the coaxial cable connector where it attaches to the antenna. Be sure to slip the cover over the end of the coax cable BEFORE you install the connector because you will not be able to install it after the connector is crimped on the cable. After you tighten up the coax connector on the antenna, the boot may be slid up the coax cable and over the connector. The boot then slides nicely into a ring-shaped recess under the bottom of the plastic box. This forms a shield that will prevent wind-driven rain from getting to the connector and eventually wicking into the coax cable. Water and coax cables are a bad mix, because the water will cause a high signal loss. So I am well pleased with this antenna, and think that is worth it for the modest price. I am now able to receive FM stations from as far distant as 90 miles, depending on weather conditions. I almost forgot, got to fmfool dot com to get your own reception map for the FM stations at your location. Happy listening!

I listen to a local FM station but their signal is a bit weak and hard to get clearly where I live. This brings it in nice and clear. Easy to assemble and install.

9/12/2015 Final Review: Have now completed the installation and hookup of this antenna. The first test was to listen to Mixed Bag, 90.7 FM which was always full of static. Now this station comes in crystal clear, loud, and strong. Note that I decided to mount this antenna on the side of my house, just beneath the peak of my low roof facing the back yard. I had a quantity of twin 300 ohm cable which I wanted to use. Using a 300ohm/75ohm converter, I simply attached the end of the cable to the two 300ohm screws, protecting the connection with electrical tape. I measured and fabricated a wood mounting plate (see photo) and then screwed the mast bracket to it from the back. The wooden support board was then lag screwed, in turn, to the outside of my house just below the peak using 5" long screws. I then installed the antenna and mast, after reversing it. It now extends upwards vertically yet does not interfere with the roof line. The versatility of the mast permitted me to accomplish that. (This review is preliminary. I assembled the antenna but am not yet ready to install it. Assembly tips: - Both curved antenna segments are secured to the antenna cross bar with the supplied hardware. - The ends of one (bottom) segment are held in place with two phillips head screws. First, remove the curved metal clamp. line up the holes in the segment and, maintaining hand pressure on each segment end to ensure that it is seated firmly into it's curved metal seat, insert each screw and secure. Do not over tighten these fasteners. This is the "bottom" of the antenna, opposite the 75 ohm connector side. Attach one leg of the segment at a time. - The ends of the second (top) segment are held in place with two hex head nuts. You will note that each nut is topped with a rubber 'O' ring. This is used to keep the nuts from threading off until assembly. Do not attempt to re-use these as they are not spacers or washers. - Again, seat the ends of the antenna segment firmly in place, aligning the holes over the studs. Holding down the segment, install each nut. Do not over tighten these nuts. - The closed loop ends of each antenna segment may now be gently guided in front of the black plastic locking clips. Once the looped ends are in position, firmly, yet carefully snap them into place. The circular antenna shape has now been completed. If assembled patiently and slowly, damage should not occur to the antenna.)

I thought it would be better. Pulls a few more stations but some that were fuzzy before are still fuzzy now. Others that I've pulled in with a more modest system are nowhere to be found. Maybe I need to go higher on the roof. The setup cost me more than the antenna, so I really can't complain. Just wanting better reception

Good seller and good quality

Una muy buena antena tiene muy buena recepción en las estaciones FM y HD dice que es omnidireccional pero se le saca mejor provecho armarla tipo S así tiene mejor recepción con un divisor conecte también la tv y se ven todos los canales TDT de mi ciudad cabe mencionar que es muy fácil armarla y si la armamos en tipo S también es fácil y así sacarle el mejor provecho en punto final es una buena antena

ラジオの受信がとても良好です

Even in a very low lying area, best FM antenna so far!

I read the previous reviews about the installation, but did not fully understand until you see the product. When you receive it, the screws at the bottom should be installed prior to hooking up the top edge to the plastic hook. Otherwise you will have a hard time getting the screws to fit. You should also note that the antenna jack is a female F type screw in socket. For the installation location, the antenna is sensitive to multipath interference, so it is best to site it away from metallic structures and power lines, as these may add noise to the signal. The antenna is directional, so being able to turn it to your preferred station is a plus. I installed it on a pole then shifted it until the noise was reduced. As I mostly listen to classical which has quiet passages, low noise is important to me. Once setup ideally, the sound was fantastic, with a big soundstage and great dynamic contrast. If the fit were perfect, this would be a 5 star product.

I mounted it upstairs and got excellent signal reception.