What's wrong with antenna on the roof?

[r100gs91]

I vote for the perfect length 31" (for reception nerds) whip on the fender.
Would make it look more like a truck.

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[bpcooper14]

Just replace it if you want a shorter one.

 

[asel3121]

Is the shark fin not available on any trim? Easy to upgrade aftermarket?

 

[V2WIN]

Question: does the short whip get better reception than just the shark fin type or would it be about the same reception? I live down in the country and we are always losing signal. Don't know if this type antenna would be better or would I need to get a reception booster?

My guess is taller whip will always outperform a fin. Fins. An be bought cheap but you may have to paint it. I might put a matte black fin on mine.

 

[Jakb]

I never use the radio so I'll probably pull the mast off and find a cap of some sort for the hole.

Fin doesn't bother me but a fin+mast looks weird.

 

[Nw_adventure]

And they're forgetting that you can just unscrew the mast antenna.

I wonder how many DB you lose with taking the mast off ?

 

[Wasatch-Man]

I operate Light Rail Trains, and that looks similar to our Pantagraphs!

 

[bombast]

As a former signal technician, I find the only acceptable antenna mounting points for a vehicle this size to be in the rear of the truck.

And yes - It does hurt. Also yes, they do come in bigger sizes!

 

[wyouger]

Wait until we HAM's get a hold of the maverick. I've got an antenna waiting for a hole in the center of the roof.

 

[WesM]

Isn't the mast removable for those who don't like it? It comes with a fin for people who want a fin and a mast for people who don't care, or want better reception? This seems like a non issue to me.

 

[wyouger]

Having the antenna on the roof?

I've seen a few people respond negatively to it. What's the deal?

People got to hate.....I remember when people on forums hated the plastic gas tank door on the '05 F150. I have one. Over 200K miles. Always parked in the drive way in the south Texas sun. Looks just like new. The gas tank door not the truck. The truck is beat up.

 

[FirstFord]

I gotcha. I thought that the previous comment was directed at me somehow and was trying to figure that out.

I thought, hmmm...I don't think I complain too much, and most of the stuff that I do is just for a laugh.

I hear ya, and I wasn't trying to pile on the complaints, just trying to understand what's wrong with the current antenna design. I'll probably leave mine as it is and not think about it again. (Same as I did with my current car)

.... Good 'Nuff.

Yeah, I didn't mean "your" literally. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[aberdeenmeadows]

It's probably for better reception and the ability to remove easily if you need to put something on top of the roof in the future. Shark fin antenna has adhesive, right and may still get in the way.

 

[notfast]

Fin doesn't bother me but a fin+mast looks weird.

I forgot which trucks have 'em, but I know some do. They have the mast antenna on the fender for AM/FM and the shark fin on the leading edge of the roof, offset to one side, or centered on the trailing edge of the roof. The shark fin I believe is used for GPS/satellite radio/other IoT stuff.

Some other trucks have unpainted flat antennas on the leading edge of the roof that resemble a piece of Dove chocolate or something similarly flat and square-shaped.

 

[GApeach]

I need that mast antenna for these beauties.
Otherwise, how will I know what season we’re in????

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