FM Radio Antenna Considerations

[collie_riding_shotgun]

I am planning on installing a fm radio in the slate. A task that I have done before. However slate won't already have an antenna.
Could some of the folks who have experience with radios and electronics comment for the rest of us. what things do we need to consider to get good reception?

 

[cadblu]

This topic has been discussed in depth, checkout this thread:

AM FM Radio is a safety issue

 

[collie_riding_shotgun]

But it's not a safety issue.

 

[cadblu]

Agreed, but if you read through the posts there are several ideas for mounting antennas.

 

[danielt1263]

I expect that slate university will have videos on how and where to install an FM radio antenna.

 

[Shrink36s]

If it's not a shark antenna in the middle of the hood, I'm not interested. 😜

 

[danielt1263]

If it's not a shark antenna in the middle of the hood, I'm not interested. 😜

No, it has to be a bullet antenna! Everybody knows trucks need bullet antennas!

 

[Shrink36s]

No, it has to be a bullet antenna! Everybody knows trucks need bullet antennas!

Do they make truck-nuts antennas? Business Idea!!!

 

[Shrink36s]

How about an Artimis antenna?

Someone get on this!

 

[SparkYellow]

I am curious, what FM radio stations are so important that one would install an antenna for? Asking because I listen to 103.5 for 80s music but am fine without. 🙂

I used to enjoy the local jazz station but there were a lot of station ads. Their funding issues made me feel so guilty for listening without contributing.

 

[danielt1263]

I am curious, what FM radio stations are so important that one would install an antenna for? Asking because I listen to 103.5 for 80s music but am fine without. 🙂

Do you mean KOST or WRBO? I'm not sure why you would have to install a radio for either when you have your phone.

 

[tgpii]

What about Sincgars, Harris, Frs, Murs, CB, Ham, Gmrs, Fm, Am radios?

 

[SparkYellow]

Do you mean KOST or WRBO? I'm not sure why you would have to install a radio for either when you have your phone.

I am asking folks who plan to install the FM radio and antenna, what stations are worth the efforts. I am fine with using just my phone (Pandora and Simple Radio). 😳

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Since you still have not received an answer, and I am not interested in plowing through 10 pages of comments on the radio thread:
The best option would be a roof mounted fin antenna with a preamplifier built-in, but is the most complicated install. They probably need a ground plane, as they were designed for use with metal roofed cars. It is possible to create a ground plane for it by using aluminum tape on the underside of the roof if it is accessible.
The next-best option is a window antenna that sticks to the glass on the inside.
A dipole antenna should have a better signal, but would be difficult to install where it could perform well. The mini-dipoles I have seen on Amazon would perform similarly to the stick-on noted above.
A body-mounted antenna isn't a good idea because the plastic body won't create a ground plane for it, and it will perform poorly plus the body may not be sturdy enough to hold it.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Since you still have not received an answer, and I am not interested in plowing through 10 pages of comments on the radio thread:
The best option would be a roof mounted fin antenna with a preamplifier built-in, but is the most complicated install. They probably need a ground plane, as they were designed for use with metal roofed cars. It is possible to create a ground plane for it by using aluminum tape on the underside of the roof if it is accessible.
The next-best option is a window antenna that sticks to the glass on the inside.
A dipole antenna should have a better signal, but would be difficult to install where it could perform well. The mini-dipoles I have seen on Amazon would perform similarly to the stick-on noted above.
A body-mounted antenna isn't a good idea because the plastic body won't create a ground plane for it, and it will perform poorly plus the body may not be sturdy enough to hold it.

Why wouldn't the steel chassis serve as a sufficient ground plane?

Unless that's plastic too! lolol 🤣