AM/FM antennas need to be in direct view of air?

I've got a cheapy amplified AM/FM antenna sitting around collecting dust. It's got the same shape/size as the Clifford/Viper 2-way antenna, big box in the middle then arms coming out the sides. Since we lose one pole from the diversity antenna, I figure maybe this is a way to gain it back. What I'd like to do is mount it in my passenger A-pillar...but before I do that I want to make sure that it can still actually pick up a signal, being that it will be blocked/concealed

Anyone know?

BTW - I'm planning on picking up one of those antenna adapters that has two inputs, one will be the two pin nissan one, the other will be the standard 1 pin (people use em for wired FM modulators) coming from this antenna...then the out will go into my HU.

 

Typically yes. Although before mounting it try it out. Whats AM/FM anyway? I was just responding to "antenna".

I have those adaptors you know...

 

Man you found holes in my argument all over the place.

Yea yea, you like XM/Sirius. I still listen to the radio when I get bored of my mp3's....and I'm always too lazy to burn new ones.

I know you have the adapters. Maybe one day/evening this week I'll swing by and we can try it out. Need my siren too.

It's my spring break this week, let me know if you need any help.

 

I do need help. LIke Today. Gimme a call in about 30 minutes....

 

Absolutely not, but it also depends on what is in the path. A metal trunk lid is right out, but a convertible softtop and some plastic isn't going to pose a problem. Where did you intend to place the antenna and I can be of more help...

 

I want to put the antenna concealed in the A-pillar under the trim, as my first post indicated.

 

Oops, didn't catch that one... your reception is definitely going to be decreased because the A-pillar plastic hides, well, the A-pillar (metal). Overall, I doubt you'd notice a difference as the sides are wide open, but you "may" notice an issue with weak stations where the metal just happens to be between the transmitter and the antena. Most stereos are sensitive enough these days to not worry about that kind of situation.

You'll be fine...

 

Well like I said, I'm still going to be using the factory antenna. I will be adding this to it using one of those wired FM modulator antenna adapters.

Will it be worth it? I suppose I will only know if I feel like playing around with it one day.

Will keep you posted.

 

You make mention of a diversity antenna... does the Maxima have one of these as a stock system, did you add one in, etc.? If you don't have a diversity setup, don't try to simply add the second antenna in parallel with the first, you'll screw up the system's input impedance and seriously reduce the sensitivity.

 

Yes Maximas have a diversity antenna system. They have for a few decades now.

 

Out of curiosity, where are the two antennas located?

 

One is in the defroster lines in the rear window. Not sure about the other, in fact that may be the only one.

 

That would kind of defeat the purpose of having a diversity antenna setup. It's possible they split the window antenna into two portions, but being so close together also defeats the purpose.