Matt,

If you can find the right connector, why not try that 2-meter antenna?  You 
can't hurt either the radio or the antenna, and you might be surprised to 
find that it works.  Unfortunately, I don't think your poor reception is 
caused by a lack of antenna.  I think you may have experienced a general 
increase in RF noise, which can mask weaker signals and make it seem as if 
your radio isn't working properly.  You'll notice this more on FM and TV 
bands than you will on AM or shortwave where the increased RF just sounds 
like noise.  Worst case scenario, the bigger antenna will overload the radio 
and signals will be distorted, or you'll hear a lot of false images of 
stations on frequencies where they don't belong.  It's a gamble, but you've 
got nothing to lose.

Steve

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "matt V" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 14:21
Subject: kind of on topic: radio, not ham


> hi all,
> I know this isn't a ham radio problem but i was wondering if anyone has an
> idea what would work.
> I had a walmart<shudder> radio/tv combo and reception used to be fairly
> ok, but about 6 months ago, i couldnt hardly pick up much, not that radio
> has anything good thats why i want xm, but this station 40 miles or so
> north of us doesn't even come in over the whitenoise anymore, and on a
> good day it barely does so when the antenna broke off finally i got my
> aluminum foil out and made a makeshift antenna, well as i found out, that
> works as well as a wooden nickel lol  not that i've actually found one of
> those to try, but any idea what would  work for an fm antenna until i can
> get xm?i was thinking about the magmount 2 meter antenna i have here but
> not sure what that would do to the radio or the antenna.  This thing from
> walmart does have an antenna or cable hookup/jack though
>
>
>