Kulp antenna?

[Petrey]

I put up my show today and had some family come over and watch it. Started it and radio was playing, but very static. I opened the lid and held the antenna and everyone could hear it. My "antenna" is only a wire that's about 2 feet long. It's also located inside the waterproof box. Should I run the wire outside? What are you all doing?

[deanathpc]

Is your antenna cut to the proper length based on your frequency you have programmed in?  Because that may very well be causing it.  Assuming your waterproof box is not metal.

[JonD]

There are some known issues with the FM transmitter being too close to a power supply.  Try moving the transmitter and wires as far away from the power supply as possible.

[Petrey]

Box is just a plastic ammo container. The antenna was attached and curled to the lid of the container overtop all the power supply's and board. I have it running outside the box now and added some length to it. It seems to be working now. I used the dipole calculator and the length was 2.1 ft. I think I'll make a proper one with shielded wire. 

[k6ccc]

Coiling up the antenna wire = bad
Inside a box = bad (not as much with a plastic box)
Antenna right next to other electronic devices = bad

That last one can work both ways - transmitter bothering the other electronics and the other electronics bothering the radio (more of an issue on receive).

[Petrey]

You live and learn. All my tests I did was with the lid open. I'll make something better next year.