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-   -   In-windshield radio antenna reception boost (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=825276)

Bandit130 08-28-2021 10:34 AM
In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Wanting to find something that will boost my reception. AM is especially weaker than FM. I listen to AM to and from work to get traffic reports. Don't want to add external mast antenna cause don't want to cut holes in fender or anywhere else.

Any suggestions that aren't too expensive?

Pontiac1976 08-28-2021 11:12 AM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
The longer the antenna the better the reception, and the clear air way to the station the better it will be.
Now they had some in the passed at LMC/Classic auto Parts. Check there sites.
These antennas are powered and in line at the radio ant port or the ant line the wind shield up to you space opening on your ride.
Try any radio in stall shop if there still some in your area. They can order and in stall if needed. Just about any on line radio shop.
I hope this helps.

72c20customcamper 08-28-2021 02:45 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Factory or aftermarket am/fm ? Reason being my 77 burban with the factory am/fm and windshield antenna sucked. Reception was terrible on both bands . Close stations came in great but hit the valleys and they would fade out.

Conversely my 85 with an aftermarket Alpine radio with the windshield antenna has great reception .

Ziegelsteinfaust 08-28-2021 02:49 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
What about the electronic antennas?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/d...oaAuGkEALw_wcB

Bandit130 08-28-2021 06:28 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper (Post 8963746)
Factory or aftermarket am/fm ? Reason being my 77 burban with the factory am/fm and windshield antenna sucked. Reception was terrible on both bands . Close stations came in great but hit the valleys and they would fade out.

Conversely my 85 with an aftermarket Alpine radio with the windshield antenna has great reception .
It is a factory radio. FM works great. AM not so good at times. Radio stations are around 20 miles away from me.

cadillac_al 08-28-2021 10:22 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
If you travel in a hilly area it may not be the antenna. AM radio waves kinda travel in a straight line. I usually have the best reception in my windshield antenna cars.

Bandit130 08-28-2021 10:50 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillac_al (Post 8963913)
If you travel in a hilly area it may not be the antenna. AM radio waves kinda travel in a straight line. I usually have the best reception in my windshield antenna cars.
No hilly areas here in the DFW area.

chrismoore701 08-30-2021 07:45 AM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Reset the snap on the windshield. I had that issue with mine and worked 10 times better

65chevysub 09-01-2021 05:53 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit130 (Post 8963664)
Wanting to find something that will boost my reception. AM is especially weaker than FM. I listen to AM to and from work to get traffic reports. Don't want to add external mast antenna cause don't want to cut holes in fender or anywhere else.

Any suggestions that aren't too expensive?
I have a right fender on my 84 I need to replace. If you were close, I'd see if you wanted to teade....

65chevysub 09-01-2021 05:54 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit130 (Post 8963664)
Wanting to find something that will boost my reception. AM is especially weaker than FM. I listen to AM to and from work to get traffic reports. Don't want to add external mast antenna cause don't want to cut holes in fender or anywhere else.

Any suggestions that aren't too expensive?
I have a right fender on my 84 I need to replace. If you were close, I'd see if you wanted to teade....it has a factory antenna hole

hooverfish 09-05-2021 11:24 AM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrismoore701 (Post 8964399)
Reset the snap on the windshield. I had that issue with mine and worked 10 times better
Can you explain, at the base of the windshield ?
I'd like to try this on mine.

Warrens69GMC 09-05-2021 12:59 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
https://purdylounge.com/best-car-antenna-booster/

Greenlee 09-06-2021 02:42 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
I always thought the in the windshield antenna on my 83 works surprisingly well on either AM or FM. Made me wonder why they quit using them. This is the first complaint I’ve ever seen about them.

Greenlee 09-06-2021 02:44 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hooverfish (Post 8966663)
Can you explain, at the base of the windshield ?
I'd like to try this on mine.
The antenna wire from the radio snaps on to the windshield in the middle at the bottom.

hatzie 09-06-2021 03:31 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Generally the wire-in-glass antenna seemed to work quite well.

The windshield has a male button similar to the kind you snapped RV curtains onto in the 1970's.
The wire from the radio terminates in a jack that's screwed to the dash substructure under the centre of the dash pad.
There's a little stubby pigtail or "lead in cable" with a female snap on one end and a metal barb on the other end. The snap fits the button on the windshield and the barb plugs into the coaxial cable jack from the radio.

I have seen the little stubby pigtail that snaps onto the button on the windshield come apart or the button appear to be loose. Probably boogered up from rough handling when the glass was replaced.

Yank out the dash pad and replace what's boogered up.
lead in and antenna cable is 7 & 8 from LMC
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-91-che...973-87-antenna

hooverfish 09-20-2021 04:54 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greenlee (Post 8967152)
The antenna wire from the radio snaps on to the windshield in the middle at the bottom.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hatzie (Post 8967175)
Generally the wire-in-glass antenna seemed to work quite well.

The windshield has a male button similar to the kind you snapped RV curtains onto in the 1970's.
The wire from the radio terminates in a jack that's screwed to the dash substructure under the centre of the dash pad.
There's a little stubby pigtail or "lead in cable" with a female snap on one end and a metal barb on the other end. The snap fits the button on the windshield and the barb plugs into the coaxial cable jack from the radio.

I have seen the little stubby pigtail that snaps onto the button on the windshield come apart or the button appear to be loose. Probably boogered up from rough handling when the glass was replaced.

Yank out the dash pad and replace what's boogered up.
lead in and antenna cable is 7 & 8 from LMC
https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-91-che...973-87-antenna
Thank you both ! Appreciate the help, I will give it a try.

hooverfish 12-24-2021 12:29 PM
Re: In-windshield radio antenna reception boost
 
Finally got around to checking the little plug at base of windshield. The female part is broken, metal circle is partially gone, fell apart or broke off I guess.
Going to order from LMC, part #8 in the diagram.
Thanks again for the help, hatzie and Greenlee.


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