Antenna delete (replaced with Tune Trapper)

[-=Jeff=-]

Yeah.. I could a good spot.. Just not very hidden

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Sorry to hear the antenna is not working as expected for some as it did for me. There is no way a hidden antenna is going to compete with the original, tall, steel mast antenna. The tune trapper is designed for folks who want to shave their antenna for a sleek look and I assume even a stubby will work better than any hidden antenna. My intent was to share an option and nothing more.

[-=Jeff=-]

No worries Craig. I wished I had the luck that you have with it. I have a switch now for the pre antenna for the time being

[-=Jeff=-]

My not so hidden, hidden antenna location idea...

It would need to be painted black and I think it would yield the best reception

Also here is my power antenna switch.


I bought an AppRadio 2 and it only has a remote for amps and antenna, not a separate one for antenna

I currently have the OEM one hooked up and I am waiting to hear back from the tune trapper guys

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

My not so hidden, hidden antenna location idea...

It would need to be painted black and I think it would yield the best reception

Great idea. I wish I thought about this.................

[Paul Workman]

I'm not surprised that FM reception varies a great deal with location in the car. Although FM radio stations transmit signal in both the vertical and horizontal plane (using mulitple, phased arrays) that (single??) FM, center-fed antenna shown is essentially a single dipole antenna, and radio phyics apply! Specifically, reception for that one will be best at an angle perpendicular to the axis of the antenna, barring obstrucions. In fact, there are "null" points (little to no reception) at both ends of the axis of a single dipole.

This is why when the antenna is positioned in various ways, while remaining essentially horizontal, reception of a particular radio station will vary a great deal. And, as the car is driven on a route with turns, the reception will tend to drop out if the end of that antenna points anywhere close to the transmitter source (barring bounce from buildings or mountains, etc...Welcome to radio atenna engineering!)

Solution:

SO! In order to avoid the "null" that is characteristic of the single dipole, either-

1) the single dipole antenna ideally needs to be mounted vertically so that direction to virtually ALL stations is perpendicular to the antenna. (The direction of a vertical dipole antenna is always perpendicular to the vertical antenna, & the null points skyward)

2) another possible approach is the "turnstile" or "S" shaped dipole (and it's varaints) is used instead of the straight dipole. It is a compromise between sensitivity and directivity, i.e., less signal variation, especially drop out resulting from vehicle orientation relative to the transmitting statioin, but will not have the "reach".

3) a phased array can be established with a second, horizontal dipole positioned at a right angle to the first. Ideally with the centers of the two antennas beingshould be vertically aligned in relation to one another. The two have to be connected with a "Y" harness, and the length of the arms of the "Y" have to absolutely be the same length...or NOT, depending on the physical separation of the center of the antennas with regard to their centers being vertically oriented. (It gets more complicated as the two antennas have to be coupled with special attention to impedance matching transformers and splitter/combiner, etc.)

And, we haven't even addressed AM recption... Let's just say vertical is the best practical AM antenna for a car...and for reasons of recieption, the "end fed" monopole as opposed to the center fed dipole favors AM reception, in this application. (Ah HA! Two votes for vertical!)

Bottom line, albeit a visual deterrent to some, the plain ol' vertical/external (stock) antenna is pretty hard to beat, for overall simplicity and reasonable reception of both AM and FM stations. Certainly, there are other options, but they're "a bit" more involved than the "solution" this kit is appears to be offering.

Radio reception - antenna arrays in particular - can be tricky. "Do everyting" antennas are full of compromises. (For example, the ideal length of a (1/2-wave) dipole varies with frequency. Ideally, a dipole cut to the upper end of the FM band would need to be approx 6 feet long or reception sensitivity is compormised.) In some applications/situations, a single dipole, FM antenna such as pictured might work reasonably well. But, this one - especially if it is to be laid horizontally - is likely too simplistic a solution and as such one would be justified for feeling a bit dubious about this solution. An "end fed" monopole mouted vertically, might be the best all-round simple approach for AM/FM reception. OR...some kind of surface mounted "slot" or another sophisticated antenna array. Let the buyer beware...

P.