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Tom_C

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Radio juice, I love it!
:)

I know that the short antennas still have the proper windings to equal the length required for FM, which is something like 33 inches or whatever. But, in metro areas, for example, the radio transmitter would be like a garden hose nozzle on full stream, and any size antenna is gonna get drenched. In fringe areas, the nozzle would be like a mist, so a larger cross section would be better.
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got3fords

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:)

I know that the short antennas still have the proper windings to equal the length required for FM, which is something like 33 inches or whatever. But, in metro areas, for example, the radio transmitter would be like a garden hose nozzle on full stream, and any size antenna is gonna get drenched. In fringe areas, the nozzle would be like a mist, so a larger cross section would be better.
Antennas come in all shapes and sizes, all depends on the intended frequency, physical constraints etc. For a real kick in the pants, search 'fractal antennas.'
 

Tom_C

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Antennas come in all shapes and sizes, all depends on the intended frequency, physical constraints etc. For a real kick in the pants, search 'fractal antennas.'
Yeah, I knew that. Not an expert, but I know enough to post inaccurate stuff on the internet. :) I know the FM band uses an antenna about 33 inches, but they can pack that length into different physical sizes using wound wires inside the antenna.

Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and I cared about that stuff, you could get a FM booster (probably still can) that really didn't work too well, but might give you a tad better reception. Usually didn't do much good but they sure sold a lot of them.
 
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Chris M

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Captain,Im giving her all's shes got.
Bah!
That's a load of tribble poo, Scotty.
We all know you sandbag those things to make yourself look the hero at the end.
Just remember that you DO wear a red shirt, and you know what that can mean...?
 

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Dunno. It may have been a booster, but more likely was an attenuator to reduce the signal when you're close to the transmitter.
Booster...Booster...don't need no stinkin Booster....Sombrero is Booster....acts like dish antenna.....

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got3fords

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Dunno. It may have been a booster, but more likely was an attenuator to reduce the signal when you're close to the transmitter.
Yeah, not sure how those local/distance funtions work, but I am guessing if you are in an area that picks up a lot of possible stations, you might use that on local to filter out distant stations that may intefere. Conversely, in an area with few stations, use distant to pick something up further away.
 

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I think I put an 18" on my truck right after I bought it. But I did it because I didn't like the looks of the factory one. I got it off eBay.
 

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I get good coverage with the stock, even on AM sometimes I listen to 900am CHML out of Canada almost 600 miles from me, I get NYC at 175 miles in the other direction, but for the most part streaming BT off my phone
 

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I don't use my radio much when I am travelling, so I don't really care that much about long distance reception. I still want good local reception. What I am concerned about is, what do you do when you have a cab over camper that fits fairly close to the cab. Has anyone installed a old style antennae on the fender?
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