Most of the pickup trucks have an antenna installed in them that perform the task of sending and receiving radio signal with the help of electromagnetic waves.
Why Do Pickup Trucks Still Have Antennas? The majority of pickup trucks still have antennas as they are the source of entertainment for truck drivers. In addition, you can easily communicate with other drivers and find out the traffic and weather updates by using dual antennas to increase its range. You can easily install it on the rooftop, toolbox, stake holes, and the hood channels of the truck.
Why Do Pickup Trucks Still Have Antennas?
I love to listen to my favorite tracks when I am driving my pickup truck. The majority of the drivers ask for the radio antennas in their trucks due to various reasons.
Improving style of the truck
Styling plays a vital role in the truck industry; thus, different designs and strategies are made to give them a cool look.
On the other hand, small vehicles like the car and SUV are more design-conscious and need a modern and sleeker look.
Dual antennas reduce the blockage of signals
The cargo area of the pickup containing a fifth wheel hitch to pull larger trailers or campers easily blocks the signal transmission of the antenna from the front and rear sides of the vehicle.
Due to this problem, they cannot send or receive signals unless they have a very long antenna.
You can fix this problem by adding dual antennas on both sides of the truck. As a result, there is no blind spot present in the transmission that makes the radio signal weaker.
Beneficial to use in rural areas
These are useful in rural areas where the signal transmission is low.
Due to this reason, the installation of a powerful and long antenna is beneficial for them that can easily capture weak radio signals and utilized them.
The larger whip of the antenna covers more radio signals and significantly reduces monotony and boredom so that the driver enjoys its ride thoroughly.
Update for weather and traffic
Before starting driving towards a specific area, the driver needs to be fully aware of that area’s weather and traffic conditions.
The antenna installation in the pickup helps the driver know the area’s weather conditions and make arrangements.
You can also avoid heavy traffic roads by using the information provided by the antenna.
Dual antenna increase range up and down the road
The single antenna has a uniform circular pattern of sending and receiving electromagnetic waves that can send transmission equally in all directions.
On the other hand, using dual antennas can increase the transmit and receiving range of the radio signals by making an oval-shaped transmission pattern that can easily stretch in the travel’s direction.
In this way, you can talk with the drivers present on the front and backside of your vehicle without the problem of low connectivity.
However, this condition is not ideal for communication with the drivers present on your vehicle’s left and right sides because there are chances of signal dropping.
Types of antennas for pickup trucks
There are different types of antennas available in the market that can perform the task of receiving electromagnetic waves with the help of extendable metal rods.
The length of the metal rod should match with the wavelength of the associated electromagnetic frequency that can perform the task of radio transmission.
Magnet mount antenna
The magnet mount antenna is the best choice for the people who wants to install them on the top of its roof.
The antenna installed on the outside of the vehicle receives better reception of the radio signals and provides more clarity and range.
Do not need drill slots in the truck’s roof because it contains a 10 Oz magnet that can firmly attach to the surface.
It also contains different installation products in its package like the whip, the coax cable, and the antenna’s mount.
The overall performance and easy to install feature of its assembly make them more reliable and clear winner in this field.
The magnet mount antenna has strong adhesive power that can easily withstand air pressure and prevent them from falling.
The rubber protector in its assembly also prevents environmental damages and scratches.
The Fiberglass antenna
You can also install a fiberglass antenna anywhere except the truck’s roof.
The length of the fiberglass antenna can determine the transmission range of the radio signals. The larger the size of the antenna, the better transmission it covers.
They are made up of a fiberglass rod with attached wire wrap inside the plastic covering. They have a durable and long-lasting whip that can easily withstand extreme weather conditions.
Center loaded antenna
The center-loaded antenna contains large plastic housing with its coil present in the middle of the assembly.
They also have a universal thread that can quickly fix with any of the mounts.
These are less economical and durable than fiberglass antennas.
In addition, the sharp edges of its mount and rigid metal lowering shafts can easily damage your vehicle’s paint.
Whip antenna
The whip antenna covers more radio signals and gives clarity to them.
They are suitable because of their largest whip of 102 inches that can easily match with 1/4 of the wavelength of electromagnetic waves.
The largest whip in its assembly sometimes causes clearance issues that can quickly reduce with the help of heavy-duty mounts.
The ball mounts and the dome mount are the best options to avoid mount torque and show the performance triples times better than the magnet mount antennas.
Where should I install an antenna on my pickup truck?
After selecting the best quality antenna, it is essential to mount it as high as possible for better performance.
Centre of the roof of a truck
One of the best places to mount an antenna that gives 100% performance and quality assurance is the center of the rooftop.
It is the highest point of your vehicle and the middle of its chassis that can easily prevent directional bias and increase the omnidirectional transmission abilities of the antenna.
The magnet mount antennas are the best choice for this location; they can easily survive wind pressure and avoid clearance problems.
In addition, you can effortlessly pass its coax cable from the door frame or rear cab window.
Toolbox installation
Toolbox is another beneficial place; you can use an antenna with a three-way mount in this area.
Ensure that its length is high enough to pass above the roofline and must install on the driver side of the vehicle.
This setup will prevent the problem of signal blockage that occurs due to the cabin presence.
Fix it on the hood
Its installation on the hood channel of the truck prevents the problem of low signal transmission due to the presence of large trailers or fifth wheel hitch and gives your vehicle a more elegant look.
You can use a fiberglass antenna with a universal hood mount in this location after ensuring its length passes above the vehicle’s roofline.
Stake holes of the truck
If you do not want to place your antenna on the truck’s roof and do not want to drill holes in the toolbox assembly, you can easily use the stake holes of the pickup.
Stake holes are the square opening present in the bedrails of the truck.
You can easily install fiberglass antennas on the stake holes present on the driver-side after measuring its length that must clear 1/3 of the truck’s roofline for better performance.
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