Epcofabrication

Just installed the two adapters to my Alpine and notice a night and day difference in FM reception where I live in the valley in Renton WA. I might just keep my automatic antenna down all the time.

Thanks..

Tony

5runner

wow! i cant believe i just tossed that little cord to the side did not even think twice about it. i was wondering my radio was not getting good reception! just ordered it off Amazon with a new aux cord thank you for this post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rock Slide

iTrader: (1)

Good deal. Hope it works as well for you as it does for me. I leave my power mast antenna down 100% of the time.

98SR54RUNNER

iTrader: (1)

I just did this the other day, and it works pretty well. Nice writeup, made it super easy.

I thought this was pretty funny though, very careful packaging of the adapter:

Box looks pretty big. I didn't order this:



Hmm, lots of packaing:



Oh, yeah. I did order that:

AlexJet

Box size is just enormous. Then we ask why its so expensive...

LifeOnABoard

haha, yeah, I'm pretty sure mine came in a giant box. I find it annoying.

Rock Slide

iTrader: (1)

LOL, mine came in a similar size enormous box as well...what a joke. Thanks for the laugh!

Glad the mod works for you too.

Ron Helmuth

revive a great thread-seems like barely a week goes by that someone installs an aftermarket head unit/is annoyed about the power antenna or both.

I have found this thread to be one of the most helpful and superbly detailed out there. And I am happy to link folks to it at every opportunity.

Bdoty

Great write up!!!

The METRA 40-UV43 Motorola Antenna Y-adapter can be purchased at staples for $2.62

http://m.staples.com/touch/product.html?sk_test=a#IM1T39558

specialblend

Wicked, I just noticed that embedded wire the other day but thought it was window defrost wire.

Going to get in there and look around. I don't currently have a front antenna and wanted to do the taco whip antenna but will cost me $100 so waiting on that. Going to try tonight.

Thanks for the tip.

Robb235

Never knew I had a rear window antenna. Going to have to give this a try since my reception now is quite terrible.

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Robb235

Did this mod last night. My FM reception is substantially worse.

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specialblend

If you are in an area with possible interference then this mod doesn't do anything for that, but I did notice when in big cities or where there is little interference that the quality is better.

Robb235

I actually just got finished messing with this a few minutes ago. I set my radio to a far away station and plugged my mast antenna only. Station came in clear as a bell. Then plugged in the diversity antenna into the y-connector. I got quite a bit of static. Then I unplugged the mast antenna from the y-connector so that only the diversity antenna was connected. No change, still quite a bit of static. Unplugged both antennas and got 100% static, lol. I plugged just the mast antenna in, and got zero static, so that's how I'm leaving it.

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Robb235

By the way, I recently replaced my broken motorized antenna (antenna part was gone) with a $13 universal one from O'Reilly Auto Parts.







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TheDurk

This was exactly my experience on AM. No diversity for me.

zanadu

Glad I found this forum and this thread. I installed a new receiver in my '99 4Runner and was annoyed at how the power antenna was always up anytime the receiver was on, no matter the mode. Wired in a switch to the antenna wire on the harness and problem solved. Now I can make the antenna come down if I'm just listening to music on USB or via Bluetooth.

I used a drill and then a Dremel to make a hole in my center console to fit the switch (while off the vehicle of course). Switch was acquired from Amazon for a few bucks, used spade connectors for the connections and butt connectors+blue wire to extend wiring.

Thanks for the idea!