[BC] About this HD Radio receiver

[khcs@juno.com]

Paul observed:

>I haven't paid too much attention to the rear-window antenna on my Acura TL, 
but the integrated window antenna technology has greatly improved over the 
past 30 years when GM was using the thin-wire balanced "T" design, 
although 
I do not believe it was a true folded dipole design.

I think it's a safe bet to say that the AM/FM signal strength from the 
Acura's window antenna is pretty much on par with an external, quarter-wave (FM) vertical type.

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I don't think I'll take that bet.  My Hyundai Santa Fe has an antenna in the left rear window and it seems to work well enough.  The new Santa Fe's have a stubby little antenna just above the rear hatch.  I think I like mine better because I don't have to worry about snagging it if/when I load something on the roof rack.

An historical item:  About 35 years ago when I was working in Oceanside, the GM came running in one day shouting at me to "fix the FM transmitter."  He said the signal on his car radio was weak and swishy.  I checked the operating parameters via the remote control, and, finding everything up to par, I asked him to demonstrate the problem.  We went outside to find that he had just bought a brand-new Buick and the first thing I noticed was that there was no whip antenna, but a wire dipole embedded in the windshield.  I finally convinced him to take the car to the dealer, where they installed a whip antenna.

Problem solved.


Glen Kippel
KHCS
Palm Desert, CA