Edited.....

 

Well, I asked for it, huh? OK - I'm hexed, and I'll take my medicine now for the lame "removal of antenna" idea.



But is it "You're Blasphemy" or as you stated -- "Your Blasphemy" ?

... Different ramifications here on the meaning in my life.

 

IMO the 2010 antenna is much improved (aesthetically) from the 2005-2008 ... I'm not sold on the reception quality though. I couldn't imagine replacing it with something smaller, likely sacrificing more signal strength.

 

Yeah, the rear quarter mount is nice.

As for signal strength, I've heard it both ways: some say it sucks with the stock antenna, and (for me) -- I get good reception with and without it.

Try out that procedure I posted above to test the signal strength w/and w/out -- if only just to see what the antenna is delivering w/respect to signal.

I'm still playing w/the idea of a stubby. Gotta find one that looks decent, and has that 5mm threaded stud, and has the correct diameter to cover the entire mount point.

 

I could really care less about signal strength numbers since there is a multitude of factors affecting radio wave propagation at any given time. What I do know is that I have trouble pulling in stations clearly in the same area that my 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and my 2006 Mustang can/could pull in fine. I'm not sure some of this isn't the low hum/buzz issue with the Shaker 500 systems...

 

Yep - numbers are just that: what can you do with them besides compare.

I don't have the Shaker, so can't comment on it.

But if you have vehicles that can pull in stations that other vehicles can't, whilst in the same area, something is amiss. Either they've altered the radio internals to accomodate all the new software add-ons (but that shouldn't be a factor), or there's some signal loss between the antenna and the radio?

Maybe in moving the antenna to the rear quarter, they didn't adequately shield the wire. Or something along way from the back of the car to the radio is drawing signal away from it.

Honestly don't know...

 

Well there are a lot of factors involved in radio reception so we're not going to get into the nitty gritty but my conspiracy theory is that they made the radio reception weak intentionally to gently push you toward a Sirius subscription. You get a special discount if you sign up within you 6 month trial and I'm sure that Ford gets kickbacks. I suspect this is the same reason the the Shaker 500 and 1000 include about every feature imaginable other than HD Radio.

 

Interesting.

Even if not an intentional conspiracy, the profits are there for them to reap. Hadn't even pondered this scenario.

But the kickback (which would be termed something more kosher that would fly with the litigious types) thing is a no brainer for them; obviously they've cut deals with many 3rd party aftermarket services (Micro$oft SYNC, etc.).

 

Yup ... and there are no kickbacks to be had on HD Radio since it's free (excluding the equipment which carries about the same cost as satellite radio) and isn't under a monopoly by one manufacturer. I could be completely wrong ... but it all just seems a bit too convenient to me.

 

I will snap a pic of mine. You guys will get a kick out of it.