The search for a good am/fm antenna thread, all welcome.

[Sonicxtacy02]

i'm wondering if you guys experience static issues have tried running your HD radios while the computer is off WITH the stock head connected. I have NO static issues doing this, but as soon as i turn my computer on i only get 3-4 stations near my house. My computer is in the back while my HD radio tuner is behind the monitor. I've set to find a solution for this problem.

[greatwhite]

No news yet, Got tied up and didn't get to running power or trying locations.

Little busy with house renovations, nothing as "enjoyable" as drywalling....................

Haven't tried that one yet sonic, I;ll test it out too if I get some free time...........

Cheers

[Sal R.]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

i'm wondering if you guys experience static issues have tried running your HD radios while the computer is off WITH the stock head connected. I have NO static issues doing this, but as soon as i turn my computer on i only get 3-4 stations near my house. My computer is in the back while my HD radio tuner is behind the monitor. I've set to find a solution for this problem.

I'm currently running my HD tuner only w/ my OEM HU and I'm getting about the same performance w/ with my PC on. Both were co-located on the same shelf I made to house my PC, tuner, & external harddrive.

[RipplingHurst]

Quote: Originally Posted by mitchjs

but this is hirschmann, the one u got prb < $50... this is by the company that basicly runs the OEM antenna biz in GERMANY

not some cheap nock off

mitch

Well, I have to say this Hirschmann (this particular one at least) is indeed cheap. I just bought the same one you referenced above (http://products.hirschmann.de//index...view=1,pid=777)

HIT AUTA 60 EL
602 306-001

$11.00 (yes, eleven bucks)+7.00 shipping. This is the contact info:


Hirschmann Car Communication Inc.

Antenna Systems, RF Cable Assemblies and RF Connectors
1116 Centre Rd.
Auburn Hills, MI 48326


Phone: +1 (248) 373-7150
Fax: +1 (248) 276-2350

sales@hirschmann-mi.com
www.hirschmann-car.com

It is due to arrive in MI at May 15th only. 5 days later I expect it to arrive in California, so I can only post results in about a month! Hopefully this will work. $11.00 is a steal from such a quality manufacturer. At least I won't have to pay shipping from Germany.

[RipplingHurst]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

i'm wondering if you guys experience static issues have tried running your HD radios while the computer is off WITH the stock head connected. I have NO static issues doing this, but as soon as i turn my computer on i only get 3-4 stations near my house. My computer is in the back while my HD radio tuner is behind the monitor. I've set to find a solution for this problem.

I cannot tune a single station, all I hear is static, with the computer on or off.

Now, if I stick my cheap antenna outside, with the trunk, in a parking lot, yes, then I can tune one or two stations, with lots of static. On the other hand, even inside my garage, the stock HU reception is fantastic, AM or FM, day or night, rain or shine. I DO hear more static with the computer on though (computer and stock antenna/amplifier in the rear of the car, both on the right side).

I think it's an antenna issue for me. If I get a similar performance from this Hirschmann I ordered, then I try to work with RF frequency from the computer. I already turned on all "spread spectrum" setting I could find (HD, MB). Didn't help much though.

[xelz]

Quote: Originally Posted by greatwhite

The issue with the embedded antenna, apparently, is that they require an amplifier that is usually built into the head unit. Obviously, remove the head unit and the antenna becomes ineffectual.

sorry for going back to the antenna in the rear window, but my car has one, a 2000 maxima. I looked at the harness diagram, there's one that is "powered antenna". i just connected that to ignition and got perfect reception from my HD radio. that might work for some people.

james

[rcubed3r]

It's too bad someone doesn't make a standardized amplifier that could be hooked to the bare wire of a stock window antennae.

[greatwhite]

I know it's been a while, but I got the antenna in.

Lets get right to the meat:

How's it work?

Pretty good!

I don't have HD stations in my area, so I can't say how it works for HD.

I also live in a rural area where radio recepiton is poor due to the distance involved from the tranmitters except for a few local stations.

BUt for analog, it works very well. It's not as quite as good as my factory in glass antenna, but I also haven't tuned the visteon to the new antenna either.

Reception is good, pretty much as good as the factory radio. Static is no worse than the factory radio in analog either. On the local stations that come in well with the factory radio, I would say reception is similiar if not on par. It will pull in some very distant stations, but performance is static-y as you would expect. Again, performed on par with the stock radio. No drop out evident.

One thing to note is that is does not like being shielded by the body panels. I had it sitting on the rear package tray and reception improved notably when I pushed it out to the furthest edge.

It is effected a fair bit by line of site obstructions also, metal (of course) being the worst. In the garage, it had fair reception with no drop out, but static was eveident. Not completely unbearable, but about what my old radioshark would do all the time.

I also had the trunk open for part of the testing. The panel impacted teh reception much like the garage structure did. No drop out but static-y. Out of curiosity, I drove the car in a circle with the trunk panel open and it made no difference in reception regardless of which way the car was pointed.

I'll get a chance to drive into some area's where RDS is available, I'll post results then.

Overall I recommend this as a viable solution for those with in glass factory antennas. Again, I don't have HD stations in my area, so your results may vary..........

[crooper]

Why is FM so difficult to get with computers? Are there any decent FM adapters that don't introduce delay, so I could use it at the drive in theater?

[inh]

Subscribing, I may get one of these antennas.

[RipplingHurst]

Thanks, greatwhite, sounds good. I haven't received my Hirschmann yet, apparently, only in June. I'll keep you guys posted.

[HiJackZX1]

Quote: Originally Posted by theheel

would a product like this help amplify the signal between those small window antenna's and the aftermarket radios/hdradios

http://www.amazon.com/Metra-44-UA60-...8751153&sr=1-6

I tried one of those and it did nothing..........

On a side not, I had a standard antenna, but it looked so dated so I swapped it out for euro style antenna. HD Radio works awsome with some issues, but sub channels are useless and just so happen to be the ones i listen to. So now I am considering buying an antenna like audi and BMW have..... Any one tried one of these? Are they amplified?

[FockMasterDan]

BJ I've got the 300M antenna module in my Intrepid and have been running the in glass antenna for a few years. I get basically equal reception to the mast antenna on my aftermarket HU that I currently have on there. There is no power going to it coming from the OEM HU. I even am running HD radio through the in glass antenna with zero issues.

With that, I wonder why reception would be so different with a computer vs a head unit. That just doesn't seem to make sense and makes me think that regardless of the antenna solution, the problem is in the radio receiver itself.

PS. This is CaptainMorgan from LHF, that name was taken here so this is my old AIM user name.

[RipplingHurst]

Finally my Hirschmann arrived yesterday. Can't wait to test it out. I'll post some more info as soon I hook everything up.

[Ricksastar]

any update rippling?