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Old June 10th 10, 10:36 PM posted to rec.radio.shortwave
Gregg Gregg is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Jun 2009
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Default Car radio whip antenna question

On Jun 10, 5:06*pm, Twitchell wrote:
In article ,
bpnjensen says...







On Jun 10, 12:55=A0pm, Twitchell wrote:
I've seen some car radio whip antennas that look like they have a wire wr=

apped
around them. =A0The wraps are not close but lazily spiral down the length=

of the
antenna.


Does this help reception? =A0Is the coil attached somehow to the car or j=

ust the
antenna itself?


twitch


My antenna on my minivan is like that.


I think the supporting whip is fiberglas/or some insulating material,
and the wire is the actual electrical element; and in the interest of
saving length and providing strength, they wrap the wire around the
slightly shorter antenna pole. *The wire is then connected to the lead
of the antenna. *It works fine, about as good as a metal whip of
similar length. *Antennas for cars are pretty uncomplicated
critters... :-)


I was wondering if I could improve my portable radio FM reception by wrapping it
like the car antenna by just wrapping it with a wire.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


If you really want to improve your car's FM performance that bad you
have two alternatives IMO. Number one, simply replace your antenna
with an antenna just for AM or number two - go up to your local
Autozone or whatever you have in your area and buy one and add it on
yourself. There really is nothing to it unless you may have a physical
disability like a bad back or something like that. Add on a switcher
and your good to go. All cars should be done that way from the factory
IMO.