We just bought a car, a Nissan Crossover (whatever thsy means) and the antenna looks kind of normal but short. Wonder is it is telescopic or not.
But i've seen lots of those that look like a fish fin and i'd like to know what or where is the difference.

Thanks.


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Nicky,

The days of the long telescoping verticals are long gone. Short stubby coil loaded or other design antennas rule on cars these days and have for some time.

Here's the stubby AM-FM on my 2003 Honda S2000.

Shark fin antennas typically have your satellite radio/gps antenna in them. A lot of am/FM antennas run inside the rear glass these days. Many different ways to skin a cat.

Yep. Shark fin is not am/fm. That’s integrated in your rear window defroster.

Hey bald1 ... just wondering. I have a little 2005 Ford Ranger with just an AM/FM radio. Quite often I take it over the mountains and back 600 miles round trip. Thought would like to upgrade the long whip antenna ... would one of these stubby antennas give me better reception ?

quote:

Originally posted by old dino:
Hey bald1 ... just wondering. I have a little 2005 Ford Ranger with just an AM/FM radio. Quite often I take it over the mountains and back 600 miles round trip. Thought would like to upgrade the long whip antenna ... would one of these stubby antennas give me better reception ?

The longer whip is the best antenna for reception. Everything smaller is a compromise.

^ Yup
I put a Cravenspeed Stubby on my F150 & didn't see any dramatic signal loss, but I live in Houston. I'm sure at longer distances, the stubby antenna would not perform as well as the OE height antenna.

quote:

Originally posted by old dino:
Hey bald1 ... just wondering. I have a little 2005 Ford Ranger with just an AM/FM radio. Quite often I take it over the mountains and back 600 miles round trip. Thought would like to upgrade the long whip antenna ... would one of these stubby antennas give me better reception ?

I agree with honestlou that moving to a stubby may actually reduce the signal strength to your radio. Lots of factor at play here. Bottom line is that I'd stick with what the factory provided.

As an aside the only time I changed from a factory antenna was with an older Ford F250 that I had installed a Philips DC-777 AM/FM/SW/Cassette radio in. Mated it to a special whip that had tuned traps for shortwave in addition to AM/FM reception. Loved that unit which I still have but not installed in any vehicle. FWIW far too many broadcasters shuttered their SW transmitters and moved to the internet.