sndo wrote:So do I make a loop from 300 to G, 75 to G, or all three to each other?

It depends on the antenna you have. For standard 300 ohm lead, connect one end to FM 300 and one to G (assuming that out at the other end, you're twisting/soldering the two leads together). Or if it's a 75 ohm antenna, one end goes to FM 75 and the other to G. If you're listening to AM, you might want a separate antenna for which you'll attach one end to AM, and one (you guessed it) to G.

Make sense? Let me know if you're not sure.

Maurice wrote:

sndo wrote:So do I make a loop from 300 to G, 75 to G, or all three to each other?

It depends on the antenna you have. For standard 300 ohm lead, connect one end to FM 300 and one to G (assuming that out at the other end, you're twisting/soldering the two leads together). Or if it's a 75 ohm antenna, one end goes to FM 75 and the other to G. If you're listening to AM, you might want a separate antenna for which you'll attach one end to AM, and one (you guessed it) to G.

Make sense? Let me know if you're not sure.

My only question is how to tell what kind of leads I've got. Right now, I'm just using some speaker wire, somewhat thicker than your average consumer wires.

sndo wrote:My only question is how to tell what kind of leads I've got. Right now, I'm just using some speaker wire, somewhat thicker than your average consumer wires.

Don't. 300 ohm antenna wire is cheap. Just go to the hardware store--I'm sure you can set yourself up for under $5.

Maurice wrote:

sndo wrote:My only question is how to tell what kind of leads I've got. Right now, I'm just using some speaker wire, somewhat thicker than your average consumer wires.

Don't. 300 ohm antenna wire is cheap. Just go to the hardware store--I'm sure you can set yourself up for under $5.

For curiositys sake, what ohm rating would speaker wire have, and how does speaker wire differ from antenna wire?

Maurice wrote:

sndo wrote:My only question is how to tell what kind of leads I've got. Right now, I'm just using some speaker wire, somewhat thicker than your average consumer wires.

Don't. 300 ohm antenna wire is cheap. Just go to the hardware store--I'm sure you can set yourself up for under $5.

Also, is what I'm doing harmful to my system in any way?

I dunno. Depends on how long it is, really. You have an ohmmeter? If so, I'd measure it.

You're probably not damaging your system, but for optimum performance, I'd get either 300 or 75 ohm lead, and connect it to the right terminals.

sndo wrote:

Maurice wrote:

sndo wrote:My only question is how to tell what kind of leads I've got. Right now, I'm just using some speaker wire, somewhat thicker than your average consumer wires.

Don't. 300 ohm antenna wire is cheap. Just go to the hardware store--I'm sure you can set yourself up for under $5.

For curiositys sake, what ohm rating would speaker wire have, and how does speaker wire differ from antenna wire?

Speaker wire in short lengths up to probably about 1Km will be less than one Ohm resistance - impedance will also be similarly low.

Aerial cable of say 75 Ohms is used to stop internal reflections within the cable since the signal is at a very high frequency.

If it sounds ok with speaker cable then I wouldn't worry about it.

Ideally you'd have something like 75 Ohm co-ax connected to an aerial on your roof.