In 1930, the first radio antennas were introduced along with the very first radios that were commercially fitted for cars. These antennas have kept on over time. Nowadays, high- end satellite dishes are already made use of for the reception of radio signals. Manufacturers of luxury cars thought that the satellite dishes would compromise the beauty of their automobiles. A solution to this major problem was found by technology in the form of a high end power car antenna. This is totally different from the first car radio antenna which measured 45 inches long. In these modern times, compact and small products are truly a popular trend.
There are five different kinds of car radio antenna. These include internal car radio antenna, external car radio antenna, power car radio, satellite dish and GPR or global positioning system.
Internal Car Radio Antenna- This type of radio antenna is purposely designed to fit to the inside of a car. It can also be placed on the dashboard, trunk or windshield of the car. It is efficient in terms of receiving radio signals. This is highly needed for the improvement of radio systems in cars.
External Car Radio Antenna- This type of radio antenna for car comes in the form of fiber glass poles or telescoping metal. It is attached to some part of the car’s exterior like the roof, hood or rear. In terms of the quality of radio signal reception, this type is better than the internal one. The downside of this antenna is that it is proven prone to different forms of accidental damage.
Power Car Radio Antenna- This type of antenna is designed to serve as a solution to the common problem with external antennas. It is placed inside a housing or compartment durable enough to keep it from getting accidentally damaged. It is attached to the car’s exterior. Unlike external antennas, when you turn off the ignition of the car, a power car antenna never hangs in the air. The mast of this antenna can be lowered or ejected with the use of an electric motor that is attached to it. When you switch on the ignition of the car, such electric motor is automatically activated, propelling the mast of the antenna upward and out of its compartment. Even when ejected, this power antenna can still receive radio signal transmissions. When you switch off the ignition, the electric control automatically signals the said electric motor to collapse the mast of the antenna. Therefore, the antenna is securely tacked in the housing when not in use.
Satellite Dish- It is a small and round antenna used for receiving satellite signals. The signals are then transmitted to any receiver with wires from the antenna as the channel of transmission. This type of antenna is fixed to the car’s dashboard.
Global Positioning System or GPS- In the industry of car radio antennas, this is considered as the latest trend. Special antennas for cars are used for capturing navigation signals coming from the GPS. In this time of modernity, you can avail of audio systems for cars that are already computerized. These systems are capable of handling radio signals coming from satellites, audio signals for mobile phones and navigational videos coming from the global positioning system.
A car antenna, regardless of the type, is truly of vital importance to the function of a car radio. It is popular amongst owners of astounding sports cars who want a sleek- looking antenna instead of a bulky one. If you have one on your car, it is beneficial to learn about how to properly install a car radio antenna and replace it in case of damages.