So the power antenna is horrible... Help me!!

[1996BLKBauer]

So I have been dealing with horrible FM reception in my Explorer since I got it, but recently it just seems to be getting worse and worse. to the point where my favorite station no longer comes in. So i guess now is the time to fix it, Right?

Personally I hate the power antenna, they never seem to work, and also seem to get worse reception then normal ones, can anybody confirm this? Regardless I was just going to buy the whip, take out the inner fender, and replace it, i know there is a site that sells them, and yes my motor works, but... I want the best reception I can get, so would switching to a normal antenna from a JunkYard explorer, be my best option???

I also have the JBL system which has the antenna go all the way to the back, then up to the front, which I feel reduces reception, and increases interference. Ontop of that, i have an aftermarket Alpine Radio, which has a special harness which takes the antenna from the back, and brings it all the way to the front again, so can I cut out the extra wires, and just fish the old stock one to the front? and/or possibly get rid of the factory one, and the aftermarket one, and just make, or buy a new short one from the new antenna???


Any input would be awesome!

Thanks, Harold.

 

[DjDom]

Harold,

Your Elite ran out?

Anyway, the power antenna uses a different connector at the back of the radio than the standard antenna.

Usually bad reception is due to a bad ground somewhere along the line. Try grounding your radio's body to the trucks body. It may sound silly, but some radios have that grounding issue.

As for swapping to a standard antenna, it can be done, but it wouldn't be much of an improvement. Currently I'm having terrible reception with my regular antenna in both AM and FM radio. But it's too cold to go out and check what's going on. Lol.

If you want an antenna with the best reception, look for one with a coil around it. If you look at newer vehicles with long antennas at the front, you'll notice that the antenna has a coil going around it. That helps quite a bit for reception.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

That's weird, it should have auto redone it… I'll look into the Elite status. A ground is simple enough, I'll try it, I did see an ad for a CB/Radio antenna for sale, suppose to have great reception.

 

[willindsay]

That's weird, it should have auto redone it… I'll look into the Elite status. A ground is simple enough, I'll try it, I did see an ad for a CB/Radio antenna for sale, suppose to have great reception.

If you've already got a CB antenna wired up I'd look into this Firestik Match-Maker. I've never used it but I figured I'd throw it out there since you mention the CB/Radio antenna.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

If you've already got a CB antenna wired up I'd look into this Firestik Match-Maker. I've never used it but I figured I'd throw it out there since you mention the CB/Radio antenna.

I might just do that, it will be much easier and cheaper then getting a new non power antenna anyway.

 

[koda2000]

the antenna ground is essential. my first car, which was only 3 years old, had awful radio reception. one day i removed the antenna (because that's the kind of thing 16 year old's do when they get bored) and noticed there was a brass ground thingy that wasn't making contact with the fender. i bent it into place and the problem was solved. as near as i could tell it came from the factory (or perhaps dealer installed) that way. other than the OE wiring, i've never found it necessary to ground a radio.

 

[X~FACTOR]

one day i removed the antenna (because that's the kind of thing 16 year old's do when they get bored) .

I still do that kind of stuff... and I'm old!

 

[koda2000]

I still do that kind of stuff... and I'm old!

yeah, me to, but not as much.