Antenea length is a compromise and based on wavelength.
AM band is about 500k to 1600k hertz (HZ)
FM band is 88 to 108 Megahertz (MHZ)
The ideal situation is to build an antenea which is at least 1/4 wavelength to get the best maximum signal from a radio staion.
For AM, that length is over 150 ft.
For FM, that length is almost 3ft. That's almost the same length as the HD whip antenea.
Antenea design is a science, the numbers I quote are ball park.
As you can see, a 150 foot antenea for AM is not practical... The solution is to fool the signal into thinking the antenea is longer than it really is and get a stronger signal. This can be done with a load coil.. Have you seen those 18 wheelers with anteneas on their mirrors with what looks like a tin can at the base of the antenea . Those are load coil. (Its a coil of wire designed for that frequency)
Another solution is a ferrite coil which has many layers of wire wound around a ferrite stick.
FM is different, the antenea length only has to be 2-3 ft to receive a good signal.
The ideal solution is 2 seperate anteneas, 1 AM and 1 FM, and when was the last time anyone saw that ???
Whip anteneas are cheap , load coil and ferrite anteneas are not. With AM and FM stations pumping out so much power, you could stick a coat hanger into your radio and get a signal.
One last thing, the broadcasting of a radio signal is not the same in all parts of the country. Signals are transmitted and shaped to population density. You wouldn't aim a 100,000 watt signal at a population of only 10,000. Instead you shape that signal so that the area with the most population density receives it irregardless of distance.
Enough ranting.
There really is no easy answere. If you find an antenea that your happy with then stick with it , otherwise go satellite.
AM band is about 500k to 1600k hertz (HZ)
FM band is 88 to 108 Megahertz (MHZ)
The ideal situation is to build an antenea which is at least 1/4 wavelength to get the best maximum signal from a radio staion.
For AM, that length is over 150 ft.
For FM, that length is almost 3ft. That's almost the same length as the HD whip antenea.
Antenea design is a science, the numbers I quote are ball park.
As you can see, a 150 foot antenea for AM is not practical... The solution is to fool the signal into thinking the antenea is longer than it really is and get a stronger signal. This can be done with a load coil.. Have you seen those 18 wheelers with anteneas on their mirrors with what looks like a tin can at the base of the antenea . Those are load coil. (Its a coil of wire designed for that frequency)
Another solution is a ferrite coil which has many layers of wire wound around a ferrite stick.
FM is different, the antenea length only has to be 2-3 ft to receive a good signal.
The ideal solution is 2 seperate anteneas, 1 AM and 1 FM, and when was the last time anyone saw that ???
Whip anteneas are cheap , load coil and ferrite anteneas are not. With AM and FM stations pumping out so much power, you could stick a coat hanger into your radio and get a signal.
One last thing, the broadcasting of a radio signal is not the same in all parts of the country. Signals are transmitted and shaped to population density. You wouldn't aim a 100,000 watt signal at a population of only 10,000. Instead you shape that signal so that the area with the most population density receives it irregardless of distance.
Enough ranting.
There really is no easy answere. If you find an antenea that your happy with then stick with it , otherwise go satellite.
