Hey everyone, sorry if this sounds like a stupid question. I don't have an external antenna at all -- no power antenna, no mast, no anything that's visible. My radio reception (especially AM) is particularly bad with lots of interference, so I wanted to add an external antenna mast (saw an amplified one at AutoZone) and/or a signal booster.

Problem is, all the instructions, diagrams, etc that I have found assume there is an existing mast -- or at least a hole for one. As it stands for me, I have no idea where the antenna cable actually resolves. I'm guessing it's in the trunk near the fuel tank (driver side) but can't actually find where the cable ends, or if it even comes through there.

Any help in locating my antenna cable so I can add a mast and/or signal booster, would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

 

Don't know a good place to access it for a thing like a signal booster, but you have a rear-window antenna. towards the top of your rear windshield, you should see wiring that looks like the rear defroster, but parts travel vertically along the window, not only horizontally. Thats your antenna and one of the clips on the rear window is for the antenna, the other is for your rear defrost.

 

Yeah, I see some vertical bars/rectangular design of lines at the top of my rear window; I assume that's what you mean is the antenna. Is there anything that can be done to upgrade a window-embedded antenna like this? Any way to change to an external-mounted mast or other relatively easy option? Thanks!

 

I should note that my FM reception is pretty decent (not amazing, but it's fine)... but my AM reception is junk. Few stations pick up a strong signal, and even the more powerful local (Chicago) sports stations are spotty -- consistent static, lots of interference, blaring noise when I use a turn signal or drive near power lines.

Is there anything that can be done with a window-embedded antenna to help my AM reception? That's my main problem, so whether it's using an external antenna, getting something like this window-mounted antenna from Crutchfield, or doing something to the window antenna, any help would be great. Thanks!

 

From the reviews at Crutchfield: <TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have the same make and model receiver in my car and my wife's car. The receiver works great in my car, but it doesn't get good reception in my wife's car. What's the difference? My car has an old fashioned mast antenna. My wife's car has the newer tech window antenna. It may look better, but it sure doesn't work very well. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I suggest calling Crutchfield and seeing what the rep tells you, or posting your question on the Crutchfield forum. And keep in mind that the radio has a lot to do with radio quality (some brands are good, some aren't).