Is There A Better Antenna? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

White64Goat · 09-14-2012, 05:49 PM

I have discovered that the stock antenna is kinda pathetic. Had the FM radio on today on an HD channel and the 'HD' signal kept going on and off and there is a BIG sound difference when it is off. Does anyone make an antenna that gets better reception? Does it need to be a little longer for FM reception?

rmjjensen · 09-15-2012, 11:28 AM

I have this problem as well - it's the most annoying thing in the world and I wind up just listening to the XM. The loudness varies way to much to even listen to, and, I doubt "Non-HD" sounds as crappy as it does when "HD" is off. My regular FM radio doesn't sound like an 8 TRACK so why the BRZ?

dnr · 09-15-2012, 09:49 PM

i thought something wrong with mine

they sucks..especially in highway..couldnt listen to proper music

Tylub · 09-16-2012, 06:05 AM

same with mine, it is normally picking up static a lot. even in open areas with no obstructions. wouldn't mine upping the RC look for better reception. i NEED my radio haha... then again the engine note is always good music to my ears

KGFRS86 · 09-16-2012, 11:09 PM

Do you all have the Shark Fin antenna? I do and I don't have any issues with the radio signal.

Nitro · 09-16-2012, 11:16 PM

I also noticed poor reception. The station I used to listen to every morning on my last car barely comes in in the FRS.

DGMBRZ · 09-16-2012, 11:46 PM

Shark Fin antenna is working great for me!

ahausheer · 09-17-2012, 12:11 AM

Had this issue in my Solara. Turns out the wires to the antenna (hot/ground) were reversed from the factory which negatively affected reception. There was eventually a TSB. Just putting this out there.

Slartibartfast · 09-20-2012, 02:02 PM

I've searched the forum and Google and all I find it dress-up antennas.

I have been trying to find something that is a replacement, not a cover-up.
I currently have a Beat-Sonic, but I need Sirius/XM, AM/FM, and GPS. So, I'm sending out info requests to antenna suppliers.
If anyone has more expertise in this area, please PM me back.
So far, I've only found this company, http://g-antetech.en.alibaba.com/
There's got to be more out there.

Where's a Radioshack geek when you need 'em.

zoomzoomers · 09-20-2012, 02:08 PM

I too find this annoying. For this reason I've kept the stock antenna for now. When and if I find something that looks good and increases performance, then I'll jump. For now, I only listen to XM/Sirius.

Chillz · 09-20-2012, 06:26 PM

I listen to a local AM news station on the way to and from work and HD cuts in and out about 5 times each way. I'd love to find a solution to this as well.

White64Goat · 09-22-2012, 12:16 PM

Does the shark fin work for AM/FM/XM and the nav system? Seems hard to believe that something shorter would work better for AM/FM.....

DGMBRZ · 09-23-2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White64Goat

Does the shark fin work for AM/FM/XM and the nav system? Seems hard to believe that something shorter would work better for AM/FM.....

It does work with the GPS, hd radio, fm/am, and Sirius xm. No problem with reception so far.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

White64Goat · 03-09-2013, 03:36 PM

Had a few old stainless steel antennas in a pile on the shelf in my garage (forgot they were there) and lo-and-behold I found one that has the same threads as the factory one. Need to shorthen the threads down about 1/2 inch to make it fit right and then test it out to see if it improves the FM reception.

09-14-2012, 05:49 PM	#1
White64Goat Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ CBS LTD MT, 02 WRX Location: Fred. Co. Md. Posts: 2,347 Thanks: 65 Thanked 1,111 Times in 627 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Is There A Better Antenna? I have discovered that the stock antenna is kinda pathetic. Had the FM radio on today on an HD channel and the 'HD' signal kept going on and off and there is a BIG sound difference when it is off. Does anyone make an antenna that gets better reception? Does it need to be a little longer for FM reception?

09-15-2012, 11:28 AM	#2
rmjjensen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited in WRB Location: Wilmington, DE Posts: 204 Thanks: 17 Thanked 86 Times in 48 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have this problem as well - it's the most annoying thing in the world and I wind up just listening to the XM. The loudness varies way to much to even listen to, and, I doubt "Non-HD" sounds as crappy as it does when "HD" is off. My regular FM radio doesn't sound like an 8 TRACK so why the BRZ? __________________ My Audio Build - 2 12s in a false floor and bangin. I love my BRZ

09-15-2012, 09:49 PM	#3
dnr Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: fr-s Location: mississauga Posts: 53 Thanks: 19 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	i thought something wrong with mine they sucks..especially in highway..couldnt listen to proper music __________________

09-17-2012, 12:11 AM	#8
ahausheer Re-member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Toyota camry Location: S. Cali Posts: 1,001 Thanks: 98 Thanked 292 Times in 152 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Had this issue in my Solara. Turns out the wires to the antenna (hot/ground) were reversed from the factory which negatively affected reception. There was eventually a TSB. Just putting this out there. __________________ Nothing decays like progress, and nothing preserves like neglect.

09-20-2012, 02:08 PM	#10
zoomzoomers Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: 2013 Subaru SWP BRZ Limited 6AT Location: Darkside Posts: 1,862 Thanks: 526 Thanked 305 Times in 207 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I too find this annoying. For this reason I've kept the stock antenna for now. When and if I find something that looks good and increases performance, then I'll jump. For now, I only listen to XM/Sirius. __________________ Man Law#17:A man in the company of a hot, seductively dressed, woman MUST remain sober enough to fight! MODS: AVO tubes + filter, Cusco (F) strut brace w/ MC brace, Perrin CBE, Subaru OEM trunk tray, Grimmspeed front license re-locator & hood struts and Beatsonic rear cam.

09-16-2012, 06:05 AM	#4
Tylub Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: Raven Black FR-S Location: Pomona, CA Posts: 858 Thanks: 434 Thanked 262 Times in 167 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	same with mine, it is normally picking up static a lot. even in open areas with no obstructions. wouldn't mine upping the RC look for better reception. i NEED my radio haha... then again the engine note is always good music to my ears

09-16-2012, 11:16 PM	#6
Nitro Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2013 Firestorm Scion FR-S Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 111 Thanks: 2 Thanked 93 Times in 22 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I also noticed poor reception. The station I used to listen to every morning on my last car barely comes in in the FRS.

09-16-2012, 11:46 PM	#7
DGMBRZ Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ in DGM Location: Miami, FL Posts: 230 Thanks: 61 Thanked 63 Times in 54 Posts Mentioned: 21 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Shark Fin antenna is working great for me!

09-20-2012, 06:26 PM	#11
Chillz Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Asphalt FR-S & S14 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 171 Thanks: 13 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I listen to a local AM news station on the way to and from work and HD cuts in and out about 5 times each way. I'd love to find a solution to this as well.

09-22-2012, 12:16 PM	#12
White64Goat Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ CBS LTD MT, 02 WRX Location: Fred. Co. Md. Posts: 2,347 Thanks: 65 Thanked 1,111 Times in 627 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Does the shark fin work for AM/FM/XM and the nav system? Seems hard to believe that something shorter would work better for AM/FM.....

03-09-2013, 03:36 PM	#14
White64Goat Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ CBS LTD MT, 02 WRX Location: Fred. Co. Md. Posts: 2,347 Thanks: 65 Thanked 1,111 Times in 627 Posts Mentioned: 19 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Had a few old stainless steel antennas in a pile on the shelf in my garage (forgot they were there) and lo-and-behold I found one that has the same threads as the factory one. Need to shorthen the threads down about 1/2 inch to make it fit right and then test it out to see if it improves the FM reception.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
20$ Shark Fin Antenna	srt4_night_rider	Cosmetic Modification (Interior/Exterior/Lighting)	13	05-08-2013 01:13 AM
Shark Fin Antenna	geb2391	BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics	15	09-09-2012 09:05 PM
LT Short Antenna now available for the 86/FR-S/BRZ/GT-86	lordtakuban	Exterior Parts - The Rest	1	07-25-2012 07:22 AM
Got my Beats Antenna before my car ;(	haloterence	Cosmetic Modification (Interior/Exterior/Lighting)	3	06-13-2012 08:55 PM
Does anyone else not like where they put the antenna?	MrFRsLa	Cosmetic Modification (Interior/Exterior/Lighting)	41	06-04-2012 07:27 AM

User Name		Remember Me?
Password