Bad reception with new antenna.

[Chilly178]

Hello, the mast broke off of my antenna base awhile ago. So I go order a new OEM style one from Classic Industries. I get it all in and made sure to plug it all the way in in the back of the radio. Well the same radio station I could listen to fine most of the time on the old antenna now seems like it has worse reception. It is still listenable some of the time. I'm not sure if that is just how it is, or maybe I did something wrong? The only other issue I had with it is where the base goes over the hole in the metal the outside rubber seal on the antenna base was not quite large enough to go around the entire hole. So a little bit on both sides you can see where the rubber seal is wedged into the gap between the metal and the antenna base when the antenna is tightened down on the hole. Not a big deal right? Thoughts? http://i.imgur.com/jlLSkAC.jpg

[hamjet]

I'm pretty sure the base of the antenna has to have a good ground to the cowl where the antenna is secured under the cowl. it might not be making good contact..

[dannyboy]

Had the same issue?

[randy.powell]

Did you "trim" the antenna to the radio?
Randy

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by randy.powell

Did you "trim" the antenna to the radio?
Randy

????

[tdangle]

On older radios there was a "trimmer capacitor" to match antenna impedance. Mainly affected the AM band. Not sure what radio you have, but look at the sides and back for a hold with trim written next to it. If it is an old cassette radio they put it in the cassette slot. while listening to a weak station, use a small screwdriver and turn it back and forth for best reception. Talk about old school!

[davepl]

If it's a problem with AM, check the trim as Terry says.

If it's a problem with FM, try changing the height of the antenna until you get a good signal. There's a height for most antennas that works "best" for FM, and in fact, if you had an FM radio from the factory on a Camaro (or maybe a truck) you should have a fixed mast antenna that doesn't telescope because of that.

So if it's FM, try to replicate what the factory did by finding the "right" height and that might solve some of the reception issues.

[Chilly178]

There is a aftermarket radio in the truck. I am talking about an FM station as well. The antenna I bought is a single piece mast. I'm starting to think it's just how it is.