Radio Antenna

[Times Welding]

My '87 K5 Blazer has the radio antenna made into the windshield. I have a pair of NOS GM front fenders for it and the right has provisions for a mast antenna. Now it's no big deal for me to eliminate the antenna hole in the sheet metal, but it got me thinking. Which style, if any, gets better reception: fender or windshield antenna? If one works better than the other, I'll go with it. I would like to hear some of Your opinions on the matter. Thanks, guys.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I don't have an antenna hooked up. The windshield connector was broke on the new windshield, that's why it was only $100 installed. Works around town just fine. Just can not get too far out of town. Now the XM works great all of the time.

 

[ryoken]

me thinks DREMU might have a good answer for this...

 

[rampage]

If I remember correctly, the antenna type that's mounted inside the windshield is a dipole antenna. A dipole antenna is more directional than a monopole antenna (the kind that's mounted on the fender). So with dipole antenna, while you are driving in one direction you may pick up a distant radio station but when you turn a corner the reception will become worse. Whereas the monopole antenna is non-directional so the reception stays the same when you turn a corner, but you don't pick up the distant stations that a dipole would.