[White64Goat]

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

The "wire" wrapped around the antenna has nothing to do with reception.


From http://www.theautochannel.com/mania/industry/Transcripts/2000/118.htm
[Why'd They Do That? - Car Antennas]
John McElroy, American Driver
"And, finally tonight, in a segment we like to call “Why’d they do that, I’m going to attempt to explain why all car antennas are not alike. While many antennas are smooth, have you ever noticed how some others look like they have a wire wrapped around them, or have a spiral groove in them? You know what that’s for? It’s to cut down on wind noise and vibration. That spiral shape actually helps the antenna slice through the wind more easily, so it’s quieter. When an antenna is mounted on the front fender, as the wind comes off it, that noise is actually directed right at the driver. These spiral-type antennas direct the noise off to the side of the car. And you know how automotive engineers test these antennas to see how quiet they are? They go outside and swish them around like swords!"

Just saw one of those Extreme Engineering shows and they were showing the largest suspension bridge in the world and how they wrapped one of those twisted cables on the outside of the suspension cables to stop the wind buffeting and vibration to the suspension cables. How about that....