Is There A Better Antenna?

[White64Goat]

Only trying to improve am/fm reception, not GPS. I believe the GPS part is inside the base part of the antenna and not the mast.

[DNAPoPo]

Originally Posted by White64Goat

Only trying to improve am/fm reception, not GPS. I believe the GPS part is inside the base part of the antenna and not the mast.

Actually base part is where the XM is, GPS portion is on the front dash.

[White64Goat]

That's what I meant to put........brain seizure.

[EAGLE5]

Still hoping for a solution.

[White64Goat]

Boy, this radio reception will piss you off. I tried the 31" stainless one and it was better, but only when driving in the direction (towards) the radio station (transmitter). When driving away from the station, not so much. I have one more to try (off my Saturn, not sure about thread size yet) and it is also a 31" but has a wire wrapped around the center shaft. After that, maybe the factory radio just isn't that great with pulling and holding a signal?

[WRM]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

Still hoping for a solution.

I have had pretty good luck with an 18 inch antenna I bought from ebay. It is much better than the stock antenna to pick up HD radio channels, especially those secondary HD ones.

It is not perfect but that is why you have a USB port and Bluetooth audio.

In the picture below are my items in order of preference.

1. Super small USB drive to play my MP3 collection. I believe this is the smallest size you can get so it is unobtrusive in the USB slot. The rubber USB boot cover from the car hides it pretty well. Since it is so small, it is impossible to accidently knock it out of the slot.
2. Smartphone, in this case an iPhone 4s. I use this to play podcasts and such. I power this to the 12V power in the armrest. Since the USB drive takes the USB slot, I connect this to the radio using Bluetooth audio. If you use apps like Google maps, you can actually hear turn by turn directions from the car speakers.
3. An 18” antenna to listen to HD radio.

The 7” OEM antenna I just store in the trunk.



For those of you who want to see how the 18” antenna looks on the car, here is a pic. I have been using this for a long time so it looks fine to me.

[EAGLE5]

Originally Posted by WRM

I have had pretty good luck with an 18 inch antenna I bought from ebay. It is much better than the stock antenna to pick up HD radio channels, especially those secondary HD ones.

Thanks! I might do just that. Is your car named Elroy Jetson?

[jpit]

If I remember correctly FM reception is obtained. best with a 32 inch antenna and AM reception with the longest antenna possible. So best way to improve reception is just by going to a longer one. Does anyone know if the BRZ uses a signal amplifier? Where did you get the 18" antenna?

[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by WRM

Please don't take offense but that made me LOL! Just being honest; I'm sure it's because I'm not used to seeing it as much as you are. If others don't like it while you still do... I'm with ya! Because that's what ownership is all about.

My buddy is bothered by the long stock antenna compared to his stubby Perrin. I'm still sticking to stock since I'm an OEM nut. Only problem I've ever had is the HD radio cuts out when I go into car washes and parking garages.

[WRM]

Originally Posted by jpit

If I remember correctly FM reception is obtained. best with a 32 inch antenna and AM reception with the longest antenna possible. So best way to improve reception is just by going to a longer one. Does anyone know if the BRZ uses a signal amplifier? Where did you get the 18" antenna?

,

While the total length of the antenna is 18", you will notice that the wire is wrapped around the mast. How long would it be if it wasn't wrapped, I don't know. I do know that it picks up FM better than the stock antenna, at least in Los Angeles.

If you type "18 inch fuba antenna" in ebay the first seller should be "raderra". It was only $10.99 with free shipping. The antenna fits just like OEM.

[EAGLE5]

Ordered one. Hope it works for me too.

[jpit]

I bought the one on ebay and it is a definite improvement over stock.

[rbizzle004]

I bought the antenna WRM suggested and yes it's an improvement. I always had issues with one local HD channel cutting in and out. It still does but not as often. I also pick up a channel in town that I could only get when I was 10 miles + out of town.

[EAGLE5]

I've had the one from raderra on for a week. A definite improvement over stock. It's a cheap one, though. Two holes in it from the molding process that should have been plugged. I now get a station in many areas that I almost never got, a 2nd HD channel. It even lasts part way into the canyon. Worth it? Sure. Amazing? No.