Functional Shark Fin antennas

[ArtFox]

Could not find any discussion of the merits of a shark fin antenna vs the short little whip on the VW Jetta wagon. The tail/back of the fins I have seen for sale are not fully streamlined and it appears to have more physical surface area than the whip.



VS

(not to same scale)

[theholycow]

Have you tried just removing the antenna mast? I still receive some FM with my Rabbit's antenna removed, and it's increased the effectiveness of my FM transmitter from barely tolerable to decent, so now I'm not struggling with the aux-in problem.

[lunarhighway]

just go for an internal antenna... they attach to the top of the front windshield and they have an internal amplifier.

had one on my kadett as i didn't want to drill holes in it AND get more drag.

i stuck it to the top of my windsield at the passenger side, it hid behind the sundblind and the tinted top of the windon, the wire was run behind the A pillar cover, you hardly noticed it and the reseption was perfect.

might not be suited if you have a special windshield with a defroster in it or something, but otherwise it's great, and i can't see why they still don't install these from the factory

[Nerds laugh at me]

Has anyone here noticed that the shark fin style antenna is actually a vortex generator ?

[SL8Brick]

Originally Posted by Nerds laugh at me

Has anyone here noticed that the shark fin style antenna is actually a vortex generator ?

They might generate small vortices, but they'd probably lack the total effect of the angled Mitsu Lancer delta-wing array. But I have considered a VW style, roof mounted whip antenna on my Volvo. It would mount nicely between my Vortekz vg's and be aerodynamically cleaner than my current D-pillar mounted antenna.