Currently, you can use various gadgets to enjoy listening to music in the comfort of your car. Such gadgets may include; Android phone, iPhone, MP3 players, among many others. However, as much as these devices come in handy while listening to your favorite news sources, latest hits, among other entertainment sources, the traditional radio still holds ground as the best listening gadget. Notably, the radio does not only air music content but also broadcasts, news, shows, and live interactions among different entities. These are but a few reasons why traditional radios are here to stay. Despite being the pioneer devices of modern communication, you can still depend on the car radio and augment its performance by getting a reliable Car FM Antenna.
Currently, there are several car antenna brands, but choosing a reliable Car FM Antennas for your vehicle can be a challenging and daunting task. In the succeeding sections is a detailed review and guide of the best FM car radio antenna.
What is a Car FM Antenna?
You may be wondering what Car FM Antenna entails. However, surprisingly, it is similar to the regular antenna. The sheer difference could be that the Car FM Antenna is used on cars while the other antenna can be fit to any other radio integrated gadget. On a lighter note, radio waves are electromagnetic waves which are generated by a transmitter and a transmission antenna. Consequently, the antenna built on your car is primarily meant to pick up the magnetic energy of the radio waves and send it to your vehicle’s radio receiver. Resultantly, the receiver isolates and amplifies your preferred frequencies to the sound of your desire.
The Car FM Antenna works on a principle that the passage of radio waves over an antennas mast produces minute electrical charges. According to length and other details of antennas design, specific wavelengths are effortlessly captured compared to others. Distinctly, the design of a vehicle’s antenna is based on the different frequencies of the AM and FM bands to provide perfect reception. Nonetheless, Car FM Antennas are hardly designed to work with other specialized broadcasts, among them being satellite transmissions such as SIRIUS or XM. Thus, a car owner in need of specialized broadcasts will be compelled to seek task-specific antennas one to access the services.
Why do you need Car FM Antennas?
Cars are made of metals which consequently causes attenuation of radio signals broadcasted from transmitters. Notably, this effect gradually worsens as the wavelengths increase. This is the core reason why you can use a phone inside a car with barely encountering problems and on the contrary experience an FM reception that is poor, and an AM reception that you will hardly let you fix a radio next to a window.
Car radios need antennas for them to pick up a signal. These antennas may not be mounted inside the car also due to the fact that they may pick up interference from electronics and blower motors. Thus, they ought to be mounted outside preferably on the windshield. Car FM Antennas come in varied sizes allowing you to receive different frequencies. With the devices, you rest assured that you will enjoy listening to your radio programmes while driving your vehicle.
What makes the best Car FM Antennas?
The best Car FM Antenna is characterized by different features of functionality which need to be top-notch. They include:
- Compatibility- when choosing the car FM antenna booster, compatibility is pivotal in deciding whether you will enjoy the radio inside your car. It advisable you seek one that is compatible with your car’s radio.
- Prices- prices play a major role when opting for FM car radio antenna. The prices of the antenna should be within an affordable budget, while at the same time not compromising functionality and durability.
- Ease of use- mounting and installing the best car antenna for FM ought to be hassle-free. A newbie with little or no electronic knowledge should be able to mount the antenna with barely technical assistance seamlessly.
- Length of the antenna- This allows for easy installation.
Best Car FM Antennas brands 2018:
There are undoubtedly many car FM antenna brands in the market. However, we have a list in the subsequent sections of the top-rated brands, engineered with features of superior craftsmanship.
The ZOHL AM-FM car antenna is uniquely designed as it can be hidden literally anywhere in your car or truck. You are only required to hook up, peel and stick to roof, headliner, inside a camper, or glass. In other words, it mounts to any surface in your car.
The Nagoya NA-320A Triband HT antenna is arguably the best brand in the market currently, as it is integrated with high-end functionality features. It is the latest in the family of Nagoya mobile antennas. The device comes with an included flexible SMA adapter for easy installation on your radio a cable 96-inch in length, which is also easy to install. The antenna is incorporated with a heavy-duty 3.25-inch magnet, making it perfect for any car model. On the thickness front, it is 2.5mm thicker compared to the usual 1.5 mm.
The AM/FM car antenna by Magnadyne is amalgamated with spring to allow it to bend rather than breaking on receiving impulse. The cable is 96-inch long, and it is easy to install once you receive the package. The brand comes with mounting bolts, lock washers, and nuts.
Dual Electronics Marine Mast Antenna for car FM MAR16B.
With a range of up to 10 miles, this antenna receives all Marine Band frequencies. It easy to install, and the design includes a 16-inch mast coupled with a 180-degree swivel and a 54-inch cable allowing seamless installation.
Conclusion
Overall, the car antenna for FM has to be characterized by particular features. Prior to making a decision on which brand to purchase, be on the lookout for functionality features such as compatibility, ease of installation, length of the antenna and whether it is fairly priced.
Thank you for reading through our review on the Best Car FM Antennas 2018, and be sure to visit our website frequently for such insightful content.