final verdict on sharkfin reception?

If you are Seaside Pearl and really want one, I can be convinced to sell the one I haven't installed yet...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bagwell @ Apr 25 2006, 01:11 PM) [snapback]244892[/snapback]</div>

$50 shipping included. I have boxes lying around...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Apr 25 2006, 01:53 PM) [snapback]244929[/snapback]</div>

I just put my XM antenna inside my spoiler in a similar manner as described on this site, but I wasn't happy at all with the definate loss in reception quality that I experienced. I then removed the plastic "box" that encased the XM antenna, put it in a ziplock bag to protect it from moisture, then put it back inside the spoiler. I think that the reception has at least stayed the same as it was when it was mounted on the roof and may have even improved due to having a thinner layer of plastic surrounding the antenna.

Like I said, my method was similar to the one detailed on this site, but I didn't have to buy a micro antenna to make it fit in the spoiler especially after removing the plastic that surrounds the antenna.

 

Mine works fine. No noticable difrance in reception.

 

I am not at all happy with it, I plan to remove it and go back to the old look. The area that I live in may be a factor as well...

 

I listen to XM at least 90% of the time and use the larger XM antenna. I have noticed a bit of a decrease in reception for a.m. and f.m. for weaker signals.

 

I haven't noticed any problems with it so far (then again, i live with the city of cleveland limits)... i'll be taking a trip down to columbus next week and will leave the radio on instead of switching to my iPod and see where the signal cuts out (there's a dead band of about 30 miles where no decent reception can be found between the cities)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Danny @ Apr 25 2006, 11:40 AM) [snapback]244916[/snapback]</div>

I didn't use the original antenna (except for some stationary testing). So, it's hard to say. I have gotten some incredibly good pickup of the signal; inside a parking garage (near the door), inside my garage with the steal door closed, etc. The times it cuts out seem to be inevitable. (Mountain canyons, tall buildings, etc).

I would anecdotely (sp?) conclude that the XMicro antenna in the spoiler has no decrease in signal reception.

My FM still sucks. I would NOT get the sharkfin because of this.

Nate

 

Thanks for all the help on the sale...

 

I got my fin yesterday, and did an informal in driveway test. The difficult stations (KFWB, LA in my area) and the weaker FMs came in exactly as good as the factory whip (whipette?) antenna. It was too dark, and my car too dirty to install it, so I didn't attempt a driving test with it temporarily mounted. I hope to have it all done this weekend...so far, so good. I have the white paint, and the color match looks good, one small dust spec in the fin's clearcoat.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Apr 25 2006, 10:53 AM) [snapback]244929[/snapback]</div>

A few things may contribute to the poor reception on the shark-fin antennas:

1. The FM antenna strip in the shark fin is horizontal rather than nearly vertical on the stock antenna.

2. The FM antenna strip is much closer to the roof than the original stock antenna.

3. The 'fractal' AM antenna arms are quite short and do not spread very far apart spatially.


The first two factors may lead to poor reception due to reflections from the surface of the car roof. The third may cause problems simply because the reach isn't wide enough.

When I get mine, I'll experiment with a few modifications to see if there's anything the do-it-yourself-ers among us can do to improve the situation.

Peter.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bagwell @ Apr 25 2006, 10:24 AM) [snapback]244844[/snapback]</div>

I have installed a shark fin antenna from Visual Garage on my white Prius for a few weeks. So far, I am very happy with the performance and the look. I have not noticed any signal drop off.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bagwell @ Apr 25 2006, 11:24 AM) [snapback]244844[/snapback]</div>

Major reduction...I'm roughly Central CT. No AM reception at all (primarily NYC stations, not that I listen to them a lot) CT stations that are more tham 50 miles from me come in with static. Oddly enough I do get great reception from a Long Island station I listened to when I lived there.

As for the XMicro under the sharkfin, I drop the signal a little more than before, but not enough that I'm going to take it out.