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FM Antenna Location

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by PriUncut, Jun 23, 2016.

  1. PriUncut

    PriUncut Active Member

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    Does anyone know (with absolute certainty) where the FM antenna is located on the 2016 Gen 4 Prius?

    Is it in the shark fin (with the XM/GPS)... or is it a diversity antenna located in the glass somewhere?

    Does anybody know?
     
    #1 PriUncut, Jun 23, 2016
  2. Ogo

    Ogo Prius Owner since 2008

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    I would say it is inside the shark fin with built in preamplifier. And I doubt radio uses any diversity for FM.
    GPS antenna used for navigation is most likely inside the dash and not inside the shark fin.
     
    #2 Ogo, Jun 24, 2016
  3. PriUncut

    PriUncut Active Member

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    I think your right. I found this image:

    [​IMG]
    The reason I'm asking... is I'm trying to figure out if it's vertical or horizontally polarized. The quality of radio reception in new automobiles has done nothing to help traditional terrestrial broadcasters. It's a shame, that local radio (which is already getting fragmented for audience shares)... is not being well served by car manufactures.

    Again, anyone know if this image is a true representation of the FM (or AM for that matter) antenna in the Gen 4 Prius?
     
    #3 PriUncut, Jun 24, 2016
  4. Ogo

    Ogo Prius Owner since 2008

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    It is all about fancy design these days and not about antenna performance, especially at lower frequency bands like AM and FM radio. If they can match it for proper impedance, this is it. Antenna gain is not anymore primary objective.

    I would guess they try to achieve vertical polarization for FM radio band as much as possible.

    But as we know the business with antennas is - bigger it is - better it is. :)
     
    #4 Ogo, Jun 25, 2016
  5. booke02

    booke02 Active Member

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    I have just measured the angle of the antenna on my Gen 3 - it is about 42 degrees off vertical.
     
    #5 booke02, Jun 25, 2016
  6. PriUncut

    PriUncut Active Member

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    Yeah, and in the US... FM broadcast stations transmit with "Circular Polarization" (both vertical & horizontal). TV stations transmit Horizontally.

    The Gen 3 is an actual antenna, not a shark fin. The 42 degree angle would make sense with circular polerization.
     
    #6 PriUncut, Jun 25, 2016
  7. Ogo

    Ogo Prius Owner since 2008

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    On my European 2016 Prius I found following contraption on the windscreen.
    Is this maybe additional diversity antenna for FM? Or a maybe antenna for DAB+ reception (around 200 MHz in Europe)?

    IMG_7201.jpg

    It is located on the passenger side of the windscreen - on the top.
     
    #7 Ogo, Jun 26, 2016
  8. PriUncut

    PriUncut Active Member

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    Very interesting... we don't have that (at least I don't) on US model windshields. That certainly looks about the right wavelength for 200 Mhz.

    I was studying the rear window on mine... and although it looks mostly like the defroster, there is a curious smaller (two wire) horizontal wire embedment at the top of the window. It looks like a closed loop dipole antenna! But if it's part of the defroster, why would it be at the very top... separated from the rest of the defroster elements?

    I am puzzled... and simply curious! I like to know how things work!
     
    #8 PriUncut, Jun 26, 2016
  9. Ogo

    Ogo Prius Owner since 2008

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    Will have a closer look on the rear window, too.

    Maybe there are primary FM and DAB+ (for EU) antennas inside the shark fin and additional diversity antennas of the windshield/rear window? ;)
     
    #9 Ogo, Jun 26, 2016
  10. Willco Electronics

    Willco Electronics Junior Member

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    Place a pie pan over shark fin. If the signal on a weak FM station is weaker that's it. Otherwise it's in the rear glass. Do the same there. I'm sure covering the shark fin will drop the XM radio.
     
    #10 Willco Electronics, Jul 6, 2016
  11. PriUncut

    PriUncut Active Member

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    That's a great idea!

    Only now I have to go buy a pie... and eat it! o_O
     
    #11 PriUncut, Jul 6, 2016
    GREEN BAE, krmcg, booke02 and 1 other person like this.
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