Directional antenna for locating low-power FM broadcast stations?

[KB2GOM]

Recently, I became interested in chasing down some low-power community FM broadcast stations.

Yes, I know it is possible to build yagis to cover the commercial FM broadcast range, but I was hoping for something more compact and more readily portable...

 

[Skypilot007]

I've done this sort of thing before. In my case I had a general idea where the transmitting antenna was. When I got close in I removed the antenna from my receiving device and was able to find it using just signal strength indicator on my receiver. It's about as stealthy as you can get.

 

[prcguy]

Arrow Antenna makes a tiny VHF/UHF loop that works very well. Its bi-directional so you would want an idea of the general direction so you don't start off in the wrong direction. Its also much less sensitive than a Yagi but you will be searching for something of moderate power with the antenna up high so I should work ok at a reasonable distance.

 

[dlwtrunked]

Arrow Antenna makes a tiny VHF/UHF loop that works very well. Its bi-directional so you would want an idea of the general direction so you don't start off in the wrong direction. Its also much less sensitive than a Yagi but you will be searching for something of moderate power with the antenna up high so I should work ok at a reasonable distance.

I have used these for some time--both the larger and smaller loops from Arrow. As you say, they both work well. I mounted mine on a short thing piece of wood from Lowes. Using this with an SDR (I use airspy) with the AGC turned off and watching the display/eyes (not using your ears) is the best method I have found for locating stations.

 

[prcguy]

I have used these for some time--both the larger and smaller loops from Arrow. As you say, they both work well. I mounted mine on a short thing piece of wood from Lowes. Using this with an SDR (I use airspy) with the AGC turned off and watching the display/eyes (not using your ears) is the best method I have found for locating stations.

I like attenuating the signals down so they are noisy in AM mode then using my ears. A simple wide band receive amateur hand held like a Yaesu FT-60 or a newer FT-3DR works really well for this because its small, self powered and easy to walk around with.