Whip antenna is unobtrusive for outside mounting when compared to "normal" antennas

No real weakness. You just need to experiment with antenna placement for good reception. If you're serious about your reception, you'll take the time!

I purchased the FM-2G antenna back in May of 1998 and have been very pleased with it. However, there have always been a few stations that I like to listen to that have never come in with a clear enough signal for quiet stereo listening. I have gone so far as to try a few other separate tuners, rather than the tuner section of my Denon AVR-2700 DD receiver, which we all know has only marginal reception. In testing separate tuners, they really weren't much better. I considered the Magnum Dynalab "Signal Sleuth" to correct some of my signal problems. I discussed my reception problem with a knowledgeable local upscale stereo shop. On his recommendation, I first tried changing to "quad-shield" RG-6 cable. No real improvement. Then, this morning, October 19, I finally bit the bullet and took his second suggestion: try moving the antenna to a different location. It is mounted outside and proved a bit tedious to remove from its' original location, as I installed it extremely well! I picked what I thought may be a better location. Well, what a difference in reception! I've been listening to some jazz stations at 88.7, which is a low-power station from a local college. Crystal clear in stereo! I was always having problems with an "oldies" rock station more than 40 miles away. No problem now! I guess it just goes to show that the secret to good FM reception, in as much in picking a spot for the antenna, is just like buying a house: location, location, location! I'm EXTREMELY pleased now with the signal I'm getting and just wanted to let everyone know of my experience.

Similar Products Used:

Almost all other indoor "powered" antennae

Reception, Light Weight, Easy to mount

None

I have this antenna coupled with a pretty good tuner, the Yamaha TX-930. Initially I had this antenna mounted indoors in the ground floor of my bi-level. Yes, I know this is a poor location. But even here this antenna was beating the pants off the cheap dipole antenna I as the B input on the Yamaha (FM-2G is A input). Out of my 24 presets the FM-2G was the better antenna for 20 of the stations. Well I finally got off my butt and mounted the antenna outdoors on the eves of the house. Wow, this makes a huge difference. For the majority of my preset stations the signal strength at least doubled. Now there are only 2 stations that still oddly enough come in better using the dipole (this is one reason out of several why I like the TX-930 with its dual antenna inputs). Now remember also that I live in between Lancaster Pa and Harrisburg. I can now pick up stations from Baltimore, Reading, and Philadelphia, clearly. For $90 this antenna while not cheap is certainly worth it if you are a serious listener of FM. But, do as Fanfare recommends and mount this puppy as high as possible. Also, a decent tuner makes a difference. I didn't mention that when I initially bought this antenna I had it mounted outside but it was connected to the tuner on my Onkyo Integra DTR-7 receiver. The results were very mediocre on this receiver's tuner so I moved it back downstairs and indoors and the sound actually improved. The TX-930 though is in a whole other league from the crappy tuner on the Integra. So, mounted high with a decent tuner you should get good results, at least I did.

Similar Products Used:

Indoor Dipoles, Terk Powered Antenna

I had been having FM reception problems at my house in Long Beach NC especially when trying to get a station in Loris SC. I had the best Terk AM/FM powered antenna and still had drift and static come and go. Tried moving Terk around , but not much better. Receiver is a Denon DRA-565RD. Checked out Fanfare website last month and they had free shipping. Ordered two of them so I could use one for my HT. Installed one in HT in false wall-- better than old dipole by a long shot. Installed one at beach house outside at peak of roof so that whip of antenna sticks up higher than roof. Hurricane Floyd arrived in Long Beach/Oak Island four days latter. No problem. Whip survived 115mph winds and works even better than I hoped . I used all of the 25' of coax plus 15' more with a ground block on the beach installation .At $85 this is cheap upgrade if you listen to FM at all.

Almost invisible

Reception

Don't expect miracle from this antenna, it performs nothing better than my 'rabbit ear'. To get the best out of this product, you have to install it outdoor on top of a roof. Forget about indoor installation, my 'rabbit ear' performs better. One lady said she installed it inside a false wall and got a good reception, I'm not too sure about this.
If you are looking for an indoor antenna, go to Radio shack and return it until you find one that satisfies you, no question asked.
I have mine installed on the balcony of my apartment as the manufacturer suggested, reception was medicore, worse than expected.

Similar Products Used:

RCA indoor 'rabbit ear'

Fanfare FM-2G FM Antenna Review

I have purchased and returned or sold a number of FM indoor antennas including models from Radio Shack, Terk (powered and non-powered), Recoton, APS and Magnum Dynalab (Silver Ribbon and ST-2). None of these seemed to work significantly better than the simple wire dipole many receiver and tuner manufacturers supply with their equipment except for the Magnum Dynalab ST-2 Whip Antenna. I am aware that living in a condominium apartment presents difficult FM reception due to all the metal in the walls, ceilings and floors. However, the ST-2 seemed to work quite well with judicious positioning in the solarium.

While I was evaluating the Fanfare FT-1A tuner, Marv Southcott, President of Fanfare Electronics suggested I evaluate the Fanfare FM-2G vertical whip antenna as well. At this time I was also evaluating a Linn Kremlin tuner which had actual numerical readout for the FM signal strength. This was very enlightening because it showed the signal strength from the Fanfare FM-2G to be significantly higher than the Magnum Dynalab ST-2 on a local station at 96.3 MHz. I found some higher signal strength readings elsewhere across the FM band but the most significant improvements were in the 91.1 to 99.9 MHz range.

This extra signal strength did not show on the Fanfare FT-1A's tuner display because it was already showing maximum signal strength being received (5 lights on the LED meter) which indicates you've got 50dB of quieting. But it did improve the FM reception quality significantly, particularly when listening on my Etymotic Ear Canal Earphones or my Stax Lambda Pro Earspeakers. Incidentally, I used RG6 quad shielded cable in this installation which is recommended for high noise environments and/or long runs.

I was quite amazed that the Fanfare FM-2G could be any better than the Magnum Dynalab ST-2 since they looked pretty well identical. Marv Southcott, at Fanfare, assured me that the FM-2G was the original, vertical FM antenna design he had introduced to the market in 1982. The ST-2 is made by another company and came on the market some time later as a look alike. Needless to say I ended up purchasing the FM-2G antenna and used it in my evaluation of both the Fanfare and the Linn Kremlin tuners. My review of the FT-1A tuner is listed under "Fanfare" in audioreview.com's tuner section. You can get more information on the FM-2G at "www.fanfare.com".

Finally, I have to shake my head when I see products like the FM-2G which works so well for me, yet others here have panned it and given it a "1". Perhaps that is because radio signals are not found everywhere and no antenna design is a universal remedy for every reception situation. For those who did not get the kind of results I did, that's unfortunate. But for those who want to give the FM-2G a try, it does work. I gave it a "5" all-round.

The following equipment was in use when I purchased the Fanfare FM-2G Antenna:
Krell KRC-3 Preamp, Krell FPB-200 Amplifier, ProAc 3.8 Loudspeakers, Linn Karik / Numerik CD Player, Magnum Dynalab MD 102 Tuner, Magnum Dynalab ST-2 Antenna, Stax Lambda Pro Headphones, Etymotic ER-4S Ear Canal Earphones, Furman IT-1220 Balanced Power Conditioner, Straight Wire Black Silc Loudspeaker Cables and Virtuoso Interconnects.

Equipment now in use is as follows:
Krell KCT Preamp, Krell FPB-200 Amplifier, B & W 803 Nautilus Loudspeakers, Meridian 508.24 CD Player, Fanfare FT-1A Tuner, Stax Lambda Pro Headphones, Etymotic ER-4S Ear Canal Earphones, Furman IT-1220 Balanced Power Conditioner, Analysis Plus Silver Oval Bi-Wire Loudspeaker Cables and Straight Wire Virtuoso Balanced Interconnects.

Invisible (Size/Performance ratio) & Reception

Great antenna. I'm getting near 85-90% signal strength from stations I've never gotten more then 25-30%. I didn't realise FM could sound so good.

Similar Products Used:

A variety of ribbon antenna's and amplified antennas

None

Reception was a step down from my Radio Shack Dipole.

This antenna's performance was terrible. I actually received better reception with my Radio Shack dipole. My Terk Amplified antenna (the pyramid model from 1990) also outperfomed the FM 2G. I would put this antenna on par with the round Terk Pi antenna from the mid 90's.

PS: Magnum Dynalab makes a similar antenna, but I have not had the chance to audition that one yet.

Similar Products Used:

2 Terk Amplified Antenna's (manufactured in 1995 & 1990)