Rating of the best antennas for car radios: radio and GPS, indoor and outdoor
An antenna for a car radio is a device that allows the multimedia center in the car to receive radio, TV and GPS signals even at a great distance from the towers. There are many types of them and each has its own characteristics. For example, in-car models are compact, easy to install, but receive a signal worse. At the same time, active outdoor antennas are able to provide even watching movies in a car outside the city. Let each reader choose for himself which antenna for the car radio he needs, and we will consider the best models of all common modifications.
TOP best outdoor antennas for car radio
External antennas are attached to the car body and provide excellent reception almost anywhere in Russia. They can be installed in the place of a standard device or in specially created grooves on a car (you need to do it yourself), and there are also analogues with magnetic mounts. Such an antenna for the radio also improves the appearance of the car, so many motorists like them.
The best external antennas for a radio tape recorder are recognized:
Triad VA 63-01
It is a domestic product and can be purchased at most major parts stores. The model is distinguished by high-quality signal reception, sufficient reliability (it is almost impossible to break it by accident). Another important advantage is the low price of all Triad products. This antenna is a small rod 40 cm long, which in terms of receiving properties is comparable to analogs by 70-100 cm. The reason for the increased efficiency is a special system of winding the wire onto the base. In practice, the Triad VA 63-01 offers a better reception than other "shortened" models.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Mount type | Mortise |
| Antenna type | Passive |
Pros:
- is a standard antenna in the luxury configuration of the Chevrolet Niva, so it fits into its native grooves;
- easy to achieve a sealed installation;
- supports tilt adjustment within 0-90 degrees;
- is able to receive radio waves in frequencies: VHF, FM, AM;
- Installation instructions are provided in the kit.
Minuses:
- requires a flush installation on the roof or wing;
- no amplifier included.
Reviews: “I work at the service station and almost all owners of VAZ, GAZ, Daewoo, Chevrolet, Kia, Ford, Renault, I recommend installing the Triad BA 63-01 antenna. She fully earns her money by entertaining passengers during a long journey. "
MEGAJET ML-145 MAG-125
One of the mid-sized antennas in great demand among car enthusiasts. All because of the simple attachment. With a relatively high height of 1.42 m, a magnet reliably holds it, so there is no need to spoil the car body if there is no place for a standard antenna on it. It can be easily removed and installed, it only takes a minute. The model has a decent SWR of 1.1, provided that it is installed correctly (pre-installation of the adhesive foil is required). In terms of the quality of workmanship and the reliability of the fastening, there are no complaints.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Mount type | Magnetic |
| Antenna type | Passive |
Pros:
- the magnet holds the antenna well;
- SWR in the entire MW band at an excellent and acceptable level;
- complete set for installation;
- easy installation;
- there is no need to violate the integrity of the car body.
Minuses:
- the reception quality is worse than that of cut-in models (it can also be cut in, you only need a proprietary bracket);
- if the speed is too high, the antenna tends to bend too much.
Reviews: “I have enough for a clear reception in the city and within 40 km from it. Excellent modulation and good VSWR are all the antenna needs, and the MEGAJET ML-145 MAG-125 does it. ”
Rating of in-car radio antennas
If there is no desire to install an outdoor antenna or it is simply not needed, since the driver is in the city almost all the time, indoor models will be preferable.
TOP best indoor antennas:
Triad 001 Mini
Before us is the most affordable active antenna for a car radio from Triada, capable of providing normal reception of radio waves in VHF and FM frequencies. True, it works effectively only within the city. The antenna is easy to install inside the passenger compartment, and it can be done even on your own without special tools and special skills. The key advantage of the device is its compactness, although the low price and excellent signal reception within the city are no less important.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Mount type | Self-adhesive tape |
| Antenna type | Active |
Pros:
- accepts VHF, FM and AM;
- the maximum distance to the tower, which maintains a comfortable signal reception - 80 km;
- small dimensions;
- the gain is 20 dB;
- good signal reception, without interruptions
Minuses:
- you need to separately power the amplifier;
- short cable length (2.5 m), in some cars it may not be enough.
Reviews: “The antenna amplifier for the car radio compensates for the shortcomings in size, so the Triad 001 Mini catches the radio with a bang. Even those stations that I did not know about before, the radio tape recorder began to find. "
Rexant RX-502
An in-car antenna is distinguished by its ability to receive not only radio, but also television signals. The active device operates in the AM / FM / VHF / MV / UHF / DVB-T2 bands. The vibration-free model does an excellent job of receiving both analog and digital television. Installed simply - using adhesive tape on the windshield or rear window. Due to the presence of an amplifier, the antenna maintains high-quality signal reception at a distance of up to 120 km from the transmitter. The model also requires a separate connection to the vehicle's power supply.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Mount type | Self-adhesive tape |
| Antenna type | Active |
Pros:
- there is a connector for connecting to a radio tape recorder, as well as a separate plug for connecting to a TV;
- double filter in the power supply circuit reduces the amount of noise;
- high gain - 35 dB;
- due to its low weight (90 g) it reliably adheres to the glass;
- 12 months warranty.
Minuses:
- short cable 1.8 m;
- some customers report poor signal reception.
Feedback: "I liked 2 things about this antenna: very simple installation and strong signal."
Ural MAGNET
An active internal antenna differs from analogs in its ability to pick up the magnetic component of the radio frequency signal and process it. This had a positive effect on signal reception, because it is practically not drowned out by the surrounding relief and buildings. Structurally, the device is very simple - an ordinary frame with a winding, so the installation and use procedure does not cause problems, there are also no questions about reliability. Due to such a device, the antenna efficiency is 40-80%. The advantage of the model is a cable 5 m long, which is enough for cars of all sizes and body configurations.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Mount type | Self-adhesive tape |
| Antenna type | Active |
Pros:
- works in the VHF and FM bands;
- reception at a distance of up to 120 km;
- the set includes a sticker for attaching to the glass;
- long 5 meter cable with shielded sheath;
- small size.
Minuses:
- a directional antenna picks up a signal from a radio station located on the opposite side of it worse;
- normally catches only in the city, you cannot count on a stable signal in the region.
Reviews: “Despite all the negative reviews, it works fine for me. Reception is also confident. I use their proprietary Ural radio tape recorder, maybe this is the secret? "
Triad 190 DIAMOND
In terms of reception quality, this is one of the most powerful and high-quality antennas, which bypasses most competitors in terms of range and overload.It is distinguished by decent adoptive properties, but such a pleasure will have to pay dearly. Installed in the upper right corner of the glass using double-sided tape with hard fiberglass fibers. It is a salvation for owners of 2DIN Chinese radio tape recorders, which traditionally poorly perceive the signal in the domestic frequency range. Maintains clarity and works without interference even at a great distance from the radio.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Mount type | Self-adhesive tape |
| Antenna type | Active |
Pros:
- all-wave antenna supporting VHF and FM waves;
- large dynamic range of the amplifier;
- there is a noise filter and protection against failures from the ignition of a car;
- high quality coaxial cable;
- reception range - up to 150 km.
Minuses:
- it is important to choose the right place for installation, according to the instructions;
- high price.
Reviews: "If the signal reception is poor with this antenna, then nothing will help, you should look for the problem elsewhere."
List of active radio antennas for car radio
Active radio antennas are those that have signal amplifiers, that is, they are better suited for comfortable listening to the radio not only in the city, but also within the region.
The best active antennas for radio tape recorders:
Bosch Autofun pro
A small active antenna for the car interior from a well-known manufacturer, which compares favorably with the possibility of flush mounting. However, as with analogs, the signal strongly depends on the distance between the "antennae" and the car body. In order to select a suitable point for installation, it is better to try several different positions and choose the best one empirically. With optimal installation, you can expect to receive a signal without interference up to 70 km from the city. Comes immediately with everything you need for installation.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Mount type | Self-adhesive tape |
| Antenna type | Active |
Pros:
- compact size;
- comes with high quality double-sided tape;
- decent reception quality;
- excellent build;
- pleasant and discreet appearance.
Minuses:
- not suitable for installation in cars with tinting, in which there are metal particles;
- reception is worse when compared with an external antenna.
Reviews: “My own antenna rotted away, so I started looking for a replacement. I bought models both from AliExpress and from the Triad, but this one is the best so far. Others caught poorly, the interference was created by the video recorder. "
Triad BA 69 ELECTRONIC
A built-in external antenna with an amplifier, which is used to replace the standard analogue for Volkswagen, Opel, Chevrolet, Skoda and other cars. The length is only 40 cm and this is already enough for good signal reception. It can be considered one of the best antennas in terms of price-performance ratio. Thanks to the anti-noise winding, it works without interference. Flexible and strong enough fiberglass core is resistant to aggressive external environment, therefore it has a long service life.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Mount type | Mortise |
| Antenna type | Active |
Pros:
- does not whistle even at speeds over 160 km / h;
- sufficiently powerful amplifier at 24 dB;
- the maximum distance to the signal source is 150 km;
- more efficient than most OEM antennas;
- receives radio signals FM / VHF.
Minuses:
- you need to remove the antenna during an automatic car wash, otherwise it can be damaged;
- may not fit standard connectors;
- it is important to properly process the installation site in the roof with a sealant, otherwise it will leak.
Reviews: “I put myself on Captiva. Finally, the radio is working properly. The only problem is that I have to re-solder the connectors. "
ALAN ML-145
Universal car antenna operating in the CB band of 27 MHz, length 1.45 m. Supplied with a magnetic mount, so it does not require breaking the integrity of the car body. The power of the magnet is sufficient for reliable fixation of the antenna, including for driving at higher speeds. Due to the fact that the model comes with a 3.5 m cable, it is easy to install it in most cars.The rod is made of stainless steel, so it is resistant to corrosion and chemicals used during washing.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Mount type | Magnetic |
| Antenna type | Active |
Pros:
- easy assembly and disassembly;
- classic PL-259 connector fits most radio tape recorders;
- withstands even high speeds;
- easy setup;
- decent build quality.
Minuses:
- flimsy PL connector;
- after a while the VSWR can increase from 1.1 to 1.3-1.4.
Feedback: “Overall, the Alan and Sirio antennas are of good workmanship, and the ML-145 is no exception. We sell them regularly, there were no complaints from the buyers ”.
Best GPS antenna for car radio
GPS antenna for car radio helps to improve signal reception for transmission of vehicle location data. It is especially useful for people who travel a lot.
Blackview X200 GPS
Intra-cabin antenna designed to be mounted on a "torpedo" or glass of a car. It features good workmanship and the ability to significantly improve GPS signal reception. Works even in relatively distant regions with partial coverage. The displayed data is accurate so there are no problems with use. In terms of build quality and ease of fastening, there are no comments either.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Mount type | Self-adhesive tape |
| Antenna type | Active |
Pros:
- adequate price;
- easy installation;
- universal connector that fits most radio tape recorders;
- normal build and cable quality;
- is not conspicuous.
Minuses:
- average reception quality;
- little information and almost no reviews.
How to choose the right antenna for your car radio?
To enjoy the use of an antenna, you need to be smart about its choice.
Consider:
- Type of. Outdoor models pick up the signal better, but are difficult to install. Internal ones are the other way around: they are easy to install, but offer modest reception quality.
- Installation method. Mortise is the most powerful, it is appropriate to replace them with regular antennas. If the connector is not provided or you need to remove the antenna frequently during high-speed trips, a model with a magnetic mount is better. Internal devices are mounted on double-sided tape.
- Amplifier. With it, the quality and range of signal reception is significantly increased. A good indication of the gain is 20-30 dB.
- Supported frequencies. The signal that the antenna can receive depends on this. There are radio, TV and GPS signals.
- Dimensions: stem length, cable. It is worth choosing based on the tasks set.
All the listed information on the choice, together with the best antennas for car audio systems, will help you choose the most suitable product for readers with any tasks and financial capabilities.
