To fin or not to fin

I finned... FYI...

 

Me too in 2012. I got it for over $100 from Visual Garage in Canada.

Got a second one in 2016. Had to return it, because the paint was flaking off.

Replaced it with a Chinese knock off. It's the same quality with better paint and cost only $20 off Amazon.

 

Do you mean a fin antenna or a fin?

(mockup for directional stability testing)

 

Can someone explain what this is even for? I see folks doing it but no explanation of why. Do you have bad radio reception?

 

I'd say mainly for look.

 

No issues with reception.

You don't have to remove it like you would with the "rubber ducky" to use a car cover.

 

Are you answering for the OP ?
How do you know which kind of "fin" he is asking about ??

 

Not especially. Just for anyone who is interested.

The fins are all about the same. The 1/4 wave needed for a "ground plane" antenna for the FM band is about 27 inches. The conductor length is either wound in a coil for a "rubber ducky" or a zig-zag trace on a PC board. Nothing beats a vertical ground plane at 90 degrees on a ground flat sheet metal surface, but all of the shortened antennas work on the same principle.

 

Not if he is using the wrong term and he really wants a spoiler.


The wording of the thread title and his first post makes it sound like that is likely.

 

It's 2020, not the 1950's.

 

Are you actually trying to make a point or just blowing smoke ??

 

What are YOU smoking? No need for any other response to your troll.

 

No trolling going on at this end.
Maybe an explanation is needed:
What do you mean by the comment "It's 2020, not the 1950's."
I don't understand.
Some of us are trying to clarify the question.
I don't know what you are trying to do but it certainly is not helping anything.

 

Maybe it is not so clear that
@Sam Spade got confused with the other image of the car with fabricated fins on it.

This thread is about the FM fin Ol' spade.

You do not lose reception.
I bought one but it did not fit right on my solar roof so I went with a 1" stubby, no loss in reception there either.

Hope this clears the reception in this thread.

Over and out.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

No of course it does NOT.
Unless you have had a "side" conversation with the OP you don't KNOW that.
Still waiting for a clarification from the ONLY person who knows for sure.

 

@Sam

OP only has this one post and since that fabricated fin that is not for FM antenna would probably not be the one in question since for one that is the first time I have seen that but also how common is it?

The FM fin though is common and would be one of the first things a prius owner would change out.

So I must advise O'l sam not to go to vegas and gamble, not because of COVID but because your perception is not as good as your fin reception.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

WHY would it be one of the first things????
I think it looks stupid! I won't be changing mine. WAY too much money.
I have almost NO use for either. I have podcasts.....
98% of what's on the radio is not worth listening too. TOO many commercials also!

 

@Dogman

Well for one it is not pricey, I got mine on ebay for $8 and it looks way better than the teletubby antenna it comes with so that is why it is one of the first things that get changed.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I have only seen a few. And that is a cheapo china thingy for $8.
Where is your "proof" it's the first thing that gets changed?