ScottK1 Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 Why is Ford still using external radio antennas? I can barely remember the last time I had a vehicle that didn't have the antenna integrated into the windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 1 hour ago, ScottK1 said: Why is Ford still using external radio antennas? I can barely remember the last time I had a vehicle that didn't have the antenna integrated into the windows. It helps with reception in remote areas where more folks drive pickups. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pig9r Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Probably to appease the same crowd that wants manual locking hubs still. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
road turtle Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 is there a replacement stubby antenna that could be put on the truck? There has a couple of reports of people having the antenna ripped right off the fender in car washes. I can't remember the last time I listened to either AM or FM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 (edited) On 4/10/2021 at 11:09 AM, ScottK1 said: Why is Ford still using external radio antennas? I can barely remember the last time I had a vehicle that didn't have the antenna integrated into the windows. Cost. An external, fender/mast mounted whip antenna is much cheaper for Ford than more modern designs such as sharkfin on the top of the cab, or window integrated. Among full size HD pickup trucks, only the latest generation Ram Heavy Duty has done away with the fender mounted whip antenna. Ram uses a sharkfin design that combines the antennas for AM/FM radio, satellite radio, and telematics. Edited April 15, 2021 by rperez817 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice-capades Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 31 minutes ago, road turtle said: is there a replacement stubby antenna that could be put on the truck? There has a couple of reports of people having the antenna ripped right off the fender in car washes. I can't remember the last time I listened to either AM or FM. I don't think you can blame the manufacturer because people have had antennas ripped off in the car wash. Most car washes remove those antennas before the vehicle goes through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 45 minutes ago, road turtle said: is there a replacement stubby antenna that could be put on the truck? There has a couple of reports of people having the antenna ripped right off the fender in car washes. I can't remember the last time I listened to either AM or FM. Cravenspeed seems to have a good reputation for its stubby antenna replacement. Bullet Style Stubby Antenna for 2009-2021 Ford F-150 (cravenspeed.com) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 32 minutes ago, rperez817 said: Cost. An external, fender/mast mounted whip antenna is much cheaper for Ford than more modern designs such as sharkfin on the top of the cab, or window integrated. So you think Ford went with the cheapest option on the vehicles with the highest MSRP and highest profit while opting for the most expensive option on their least expensive and lowest profit margin vehicles. Your logic makes no sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliff2000 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Ford has a shorter mast (16") they use on export F150 and F250. Not sure if you can get it in the U.S. as a service part. Ford part number LC3T-18828-AC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 1 hour ago, akirby said: So you think Ford went with the cheapest option on the vehicles with the highest MSRP and highest profit while opting for the most expensive option on their least expensive and lowest profit margin vehicles. Your logic makes no sense. Why is F-Series SD "highest profit"? Because Ford aggressively keeps product development and manufacturing costs low and selling prices high on that product. The only reason Ford still uses an old fashioned whip antenna for F-Series is that it's cheap compared to alternative designs. That's all there is to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 So explain why they don’t use it on Ecosport or the old Fiesta where margins were razor thin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 Also - the 2021 F150 has 2 sharkfin antennas (one for SiriusXM and one for the embedded modem) AND the am/fm mast. So how can that possibly be cheaper than just putting it in one of the sharkfins? The answer is reception in remote areas and/or a roof height warning system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 21 minutes ago, akirby said: Also - the 2021 F150 has 2 sharkfin antennas (one for SiriusXM and one for the embedded modem) AND the am/fm mast. So how can that possibly be cheaper than just putting it in one of the sharkfins? A properly designed amplified AM/FM radio antenna that integrates into a sharkfin setup will provide better S/N compared to a whip antenna, but the components are much more expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted April 15, 2021 Share Posted April 15, 2021 38 minutes ago, akirby said: So explain why they don’t use it on Ecosport or the old Fiesta where margins were razor thin? Ford couldn't cut costs as aggressively on those two vehicles, which are global products in very competitive segments, compared to what they could do with F-Series SD. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skidderz Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 Guys the easiest solution is a shorter aftermarket antenna. I replaced them on my last 2 F-series. I have a ‘21 F-350 and have had really good reception with the Spartan FFD2-15 ($22 on Amazon). You should remove it for an automatic car wash but it’s an easy twist. Just my opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pig9r Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 Came across this article the other day. Seems fitting: https://jalopnik.com/why-does-a-modern-truck-like-the-2022-ford-f-150-lightn-1846955635 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gadget Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 (edited) I don't even know why this is issue. Does no one go to autoparts stores anymore. They sell shorty rubber whip antennas and have for the last 30 years. Edited June 13, 2021 by Gadget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 1 hour ago, Gadget said: I don't even know why this is issue. Does no one go to autoparts stores anymore. They sell shorty rubber whip antennas and have for the last 30 years. Some people aren’t happy unless they have something to bitch about. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevens7.3 Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 Who goes through a car wash? Do you not like your paint? Those things are swirl city. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 13, 2021 Share Posted June 13, 2021 1 hour ago, Stevens7.3 said: Who goes through a car wash? Do you not like your paint? Those things are swirl city. Used automatic car washes for years and never had a swirl. They use strips of cloth not rotating brushes. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radio Posted June 14, 2021 Share Posted June 14, 2021 On 6/9/2021 at 11:16 PM, pig9r said: Came across this article the other day. Seems fitting: https://jalopnik.com/why-does-a-modern-truck-like-the-2022-ford-f-150-lightn-1846955635 The author of the article is correct. I used to work in a factory that made transmitters for broadcast radio stations. Our smaller 5KW and down units sold very well. I found out that 2/3 of all radio stations in the US are mom and pop owned low wattage "sundowner" stations that have local news and county/western music. You'll need a whip antenna beyond the city limits to hear them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmk1981 Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 Have used a stubby on my F150 for years and have not had any reception issues. The range may be limited, but most of the time I'm listening to bluetooth, so not much of an issue for me. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowninja14 Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 On 6/15/2021 at 1:13 PM, cmk1981 said: Have used a stubby on my F150 for years and have not had any reception issues. The range may be limited, but most of the time I'm listening to bluetooth, so not much of an issue for me. Same here! I've had a Cravenspeed "stubby" on my last two trucks, and it's going on my 22 when I eventually get it. It's range is limited, but, I rarely listen to the radio just Bluetooth Pandora. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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