Forum Discussion

path1's avatar
path1
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013

Better Radio antenna and height detector

I'm only in the planning stage...
My class C radio reception is bad. Only pulls in AM close stations. FM is a little bit better but not up what I think it should be. Antenna length right now is on fender,just under the cabover part and blocking reception IMO. I'm thinking about killing to birds with one stone, so to speak.
Thinking about installing an antenna on front bumper and cut the antenna to my over head height (10ft 5"). I think antenna would get better reception being up higher and away from house part and use as a guide for those times when a branch or overhead obstruction this could work as a "height" clue.

Question: Is it OK to cut a new AM/FM antenna to my overhead height or are AM/FM antennas pre set for a certain length?
Any ideas?

(Tried "search": ...'cabover radio reception' found 0 matches.
Class C

2 Replies

  • Pangaea_Ron's avatar
    Pangaea_Ron
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2013
    I ran a cable to the roof and mounted a 14" tall flexible am/fm antenna there on a universal mount. It also serves as a sacrificial height detector because I can hear it on the roof when I hit a low hanging branch, before the rooftop accessories are involved.

    I also have a magnetic mounted cell phone booster antenna that I can hear when it bounces on the roof.
  • mdamerell's avatar
    mdamerell
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2013
    My dad's a HAM radio guy and if I remember what rubbed off over the years; the antenna will be turned to the required frequencies. Altering the actual antenna length will affect its effectiveness.

    You can buy a Car Gutter Mount AM/FM Radio Antenna JBA-2210 which is about 20" tall and mount it at the required height to also act as a low clearance warning.

    Searched "gutter mount am/fm radio antenna"

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