[snowman1]

Why is Ford putting an exterior antenna on the 07s? I like the outside without any antenna or shark fin. Will the antenna help with satellite radio or navigation?

 

[mz6zoomzoom]

As opposed to what, in glass? My Mazda6 has an in-glass antenna, which they used only on the '03's before switching to the high/center mount antenna in the '04's... the in-glass antennas have far worse reception, because you have metal and such blocking much of their "view." Higher end cars use multiple antenna's to get around this problem.

 

[chris06fusion]

Maybe its just where i live but I get great reception with my "in glass" antenna. I pick up stations from washington DC and I am clear up here in south central PA.

 

[snowman1]

Yes, as opposed to the current in glass antenna (which is in the back glass). What did you think i meant, hold an aluminum pie pan out the window and hope to pick up a station. I also get great reception with the current set up, thus my question. It's not a big deal, I prefer to not have an exterior antenna for kids or parking lot dimwits to yank.

 

[captainhook]

The in-glass antenna works great for me too.

What type of exterior antenna is Ford switching to? Mast or fin? I would imagine if it the mast then it is due to cost savings. If it is a fin then I would assume that it is for technology.

 

[sternyy]

ha i didnt even know that the attenna was in the glass... that is the one of the last things i noticed when purchasing my fusion.

:klavergreg:

 

[bartman1]

I have had no problems with the in-glass antenna until I noticed that on some FM stations (around 100.5) they fade out if you turn on the rear defroster. Apparently the rear defroster blanks the antenna when you have a weak FM station tuned in. Has anybody else tried this?

 

[lammer]

[quote author=bartman1 link=topic=54868.msg908067#msg908067 date=1156349501]
I have had no problems with the in-glass antenna until I noticed that on some FM stations (around 100.5) they fade out if you turn on the rear defroster. Apparently the rear defroster blanks the antenna when you have a weak FM station tuned in. Has anybody else tried this?
[/quote]

[glow=red,2,300]AH HA ![/glow]

maybe we now know the reason Ford is switching to a Mast antenna???
I haven't noticed this yet...

the Freestar we have has an antenna in the window, but its in the passenger rear quarter window, and thus no problem with defrost.

 

[SGInut]

Yes in-glass antennas are inherently less effecient however some engineers (including the ones designing the fusion) take this into account and install FM boosters. If you look at a wiring diagram, the booster is clearly there (although not well labeled).