Why do we need an antenna?

[bradcrc]

So, stupid question. But I've removed the antenna from my JL due to car wash concerns and will be replacing it with a small flexi I bought once the proper adapter arrives.


But, the entire vehicle body is made of metal, why do we need an antenna instead of just hooking to that? I clearly don't understand how antennas work because it seems like a giant hunk of metal would be an excellent one, but if that were true then antennas would not exist.


Anyone able to science me on this?

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[jaymz]

Good question. I have no idea what the answer is.
Maybe it’s legit, maybe a scam perpetuated by the auto industry from the very beginning.

 

[bradcrc]

Good question. I have no idea what the answer is.
Maybe it’s legit, maybe a scam perpetuated by the auto industry from the very beginning.

haha, we cracked "Big Antenna"'s conspiracy!!

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Antenna is actually cut to the radio I believe. Attuned may be the correct word I forget and too lazy to look it up. But they are tuned to the stock antenna generally.

But I am all in on some tinfoil conspiracy also! Always fun!

 

[jlandry287]

They're so the government can beam space radiation to us directly from the ISS. the antenna sitting a couple inches above the body of the vehicle increases reception.

 

[DOOKEY]

 

[bradcrc]

Now that I have thought about it, the ground of the electrical system is run though the body, so it seems likely there would be a lot of noise from ignition and everything else.

I wonder if that's a reason, or if there is something else.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

But I had time to look up a picture of our Overlords!!!

 

[The Chubbernaut]

In a very simplified response, antennas need an electrical current running through them to pick up pick up radio waves.

 

[YJdude]

The factory antenna is cut to ideally catch FM radio waves. The metal frame and body, it's various shapes and curves, etc will catch some of that signal, but in weird ways and result in poor reception. The long antenna, using the rest of the Jeep as its 'ground plane', maximizes FM reception.
This has been a VERY abridged explanation.

 

[YJdude]

In a very simplified response, antennas need an electrical current running through them to pick up pick up radio waves.

No they don't.

 

[TX_Ovrlnd]

Antenna theory is a long discussion. The flex ones are nice and simple but they aren’t cut appropriately. Your signal will be degraded. I use a small stubby because I don’t care about radio reception at all.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I don't even remember the last time I used AM/FM to listen to music in a vehicle.

 

[bradcrc]

Antenna theory is a long discussion. The flex ones are nice and simple but they aren’t cut appropriately. Your signal will be degraded. I use a small stubby because I don’t care about radio reception at all.

Yea, I've gathered that they are pretty much useless, but currently I don't use the radio at all, so I think I'm ok with that, we'll see how that works out.

 

[YJdude]

I don't even remember the last time I used AM/FM to listen to music in a vehicle.

I feel like a majority of drivers would say the same.
Personally, AM/FM is the only thing I've listened to in the vehicle for over 15 years.
I'm sure there's been a poll about it on here somewhere.

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