Why my 4th gen has no visible antenna? and the 5th gen has it?
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orangeblast22
New member
If I remember correctly, the 4th gens have the antenna built into the windshield or something like that. Correct me if I'm wrong...could be.
ALLEGRO
New member
Reception with the "diversity" unit is NOT exceptionally good. I would imagine that it is cheaper to go with the mast, and if that improves reception....then win-win
I wonder if the antennae has dual purpose b/c when i push the rear defroster when it snows, both side windows also melt down the snow and i can see the lines just like the rear window.
Yep... same thing... and thats why you lose almost all reception when rear defrost is on
I wonder if the antennae has dual purpose b/c when i push the rear defroster when it snows, both side windows also melt down the snow and i can see the lines just like the rear window.
Yep... same thing... and thats why you lose almost all reception when rear defrost is on
No way! I never knew that. COOL! I wish I had a need for the defroster now lol. I never use the radio anymore, but when I did, I never had a problem with reception. But this was out the rear defroster too.
cdoyle
Member
Not sure why some of you are saying the diversity antenna gets poor reception.
It works great on my 04, never had a problem tuning in stations around here.
Never lose reception when I turn the defrost on either, doesn't make any difference at all if that's on or off.
I sure prefer it to those old mast antenna's that kids either steal or break.
It works great on my 04, never had a problem tuning in stations around here.
Never lose reception when I turn the defrost on either, doesn't make any difference at all if that's on or off.
I sure prefer it to those old mast antenna's that kids either steal or break.
Uneek
Super Moderator
:iagree: while I don't have any reception issues, I would give up some reception to have in-glass antenna over an antenna on the fender ANY day.
Gromulus
New member
Cost savings - along with the non-locking fuel door
I concur. Never had any problem with reception in the six years I have owned my 4Runner. I don't remember that last "new" model vehicle I have seen that has a mast antenna, much less one in the 4Runner's price range. About the only good use for mast antenna is as an emergency weapon (similar to a sjambok).
I concur. Never had any problem with reception in the six years I have owned my 4Runner. I don't remember that last "new" model vehicle I have seen that has a mast antenna, much less one in the 4Runner's price range. About the only good use for mast antenna is as an emergency weapon (similar to a sjambok).
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b.abe825
New member
Yep... same thing... and thats why you lose almost all reception when rear defrost is on
Maybe something is wrong with your antenna?....
I have great reception with it, with rear defrost on. Had some pretty bad ice here in Texas over the winter and used it almost everyday for a while and had 0 change.
Why would that interfere anyway? out of curiosity.
It lowers the signal to noise ratio by raising the noise floor when noise from the alternator, engine, etc is introduced to the antenna. If your signal was low and now your noise is high, you hear static.
You won't notice it if you are in a strong signal area like flat terrain or a city near the broadcast source. However, if you are in the mountains many miles from the transmitter, it'll fuzz out the music.
Until you introduce the cars electrical system to the antenna circuit, it is pretty isolated at the back of the car away from the EMF from the engine and alternator (which can also interfere with your iphone by leaking in on the stereo input cable it if is long and unshielded you'll notice noise that varies in pitch with the engine RPMs. You compensate for this by turning up the ipod (raising the signal strength keeps the SNR high).
FTR, I have an Accord with a rear defrost that doubles as the antenna. It also fuzzes out the music in the mountains if I turn on the rear defrost.
The only solution to the problem would be a power conditioner on the rear defrost, but that's silly and expensive. The only high end power regulation you probably have for your car is the engine's ECU. Otherwise it's just fuses and maybe a voltage regulator in your trip computer, radio, and instrumentation. It's cheaper to do an external antenna, buy XM listen to your ipod, or just put up with it if you happen to be far enough from the transmitting FM station.
(I'm very glad I can finally give a good answer to someone's question on this forum since normally I'm doing all the asking!)
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cdoyle
Member
I don't believe the antenna's in the window are also a defroster. I just noticed that someone said that.
I believe all they are, is an antenna. I never noticed my side windows melting when I turn the defroster on. If they were defrosters, they wouldn't be worth much since the lines don't go throughout the whole window. They are only around the edge.
I believe all they are, is an antenna. I never noticed my side windows melting when I turn the defroster on. If they were defrosters, they wouldn't be worth much since the lines don't go throughout the whole window. They are only around the edge.
Thiis is a good theorical answer. This is common to all the systems that include RF Tx/Rx. So far I've never been so far in the open where can say that I had/have this problem. Even on the trips from PA to TX & TX to CA I experienced this problem.
Thanks again to all of you for your comments about.
