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I got a connector adapter which plugged into the antenna jack on the back
of the radio. I connected a VHF magnetic mount ham radio antenna to it. I now have a cable running between the bucket seats and out the back door but I have really good AM/FM reception. On long trips, like across the southern deserts, I unscrew the standard element and replace it with a longer element (about 4') and AM reception is improved dramatically. The cable from the fender-mount antenna dangles inside the dashboard, unseen and unused. I have done the same thing with a spare 2 meter 5/8 whip (without the base matching coil) on the roof with excellent results. The length is little longer than stock. I used to own an older European car that had a 3 section whip that was nearly 5' long fully extended and I wish I could find another. A 102" CB whip will do better on AM (although less optimal for FM). There used to be CB/AM/FM splitters for truckers, but I don't know how well they work. The stock whip is far short considering the wavelength, so the longest you can get on the car will only improve the capture area. As mentioned, you will notice a peak if you adjust the trimmer in the radio to your new antenna. They are usually peaked for 1300 kc anyway, so that might be something to toy with first if you don't mind sacrificing the high end of the band. An HF antenna with tuner would be the best you could do. In the campsite, you can clip a longwire on and throw it in the trees. |
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