Multiple Antenna

[adamj]

I just had a new windshield put in, and I went with the one that has the antenna inside the windshield (it was cheaper, actually). The old windshield didn't have one in it, and there is a mast antenna installed on the front passenger side. Have the dash out now, and I see the factory coax adapter for the windshield antenna mounted on the firewall/metal dash in the center.
I will be wiring in a new stereo, speakers, etc. and I see that they make a Y-adapter so you can run 2 antenna inputs. I know the mast antenna will have better reception, but would running a dual antenna setup improve reception/quality even further? I figure "why not" while I have everything apart, but unless this would worsen reception, let me know.

 

[yevgenievich]

From signal reception point i do not think it would help as it would change the impedence and the effective length if the antenna. Reception can be made to use multiple antennas and it is common in ither applications; however in this case it does not appear to do any good as reciever was not designed for it

 

[highdesertrange]

actually the windshield antenna is a perfect match for FM bands. look up, build your own FM antenna it will look just like the windshield antenna. highdesertranger

 

[adamj]

Interesting, I've heard both good and not so good for both types of antennas, so I thought why not get the best of both, but I guess I don't understand how antennas work then...

 

[highdesertrange]

if you put a splitter switch then you could do it. use the windshield antenna for FM and the mast for AM. like these http://www.walcottradio.com/switches-and-splitters-c-377_355_443.html . highdesertranger

 

[smoothandlow84]

I personally like my winshield antennae versus the mast version. I would bet that the windshield antennae gets better reception than the bird whip.

 

[highdesertrange]

on FM you will definitely get better reception with the windshield antenna. highdesertranger

 

[adamj]

Looks like I will just go with the windshield antenna then, I rarely listen to am radio anyways. Is the windshield split antenna better for reception or quality on fm waves?

 

[yevgenievich]

I have both types in two different trucks and never really noticed much of a difference. Windshield antenna looks cleaner, which is the reason I prefer windshield one better.