why older cars need long extendable antennas for radio reception, while modern cars often only have little stumps on the top but still good reception

Question

title

In: Technology

Answer 1

Those stumpy antennas are often called Shark Fins, and they can also do satellite radio, cellular data, and GPS. For regular AM/FM radio, that antenna can be hidden elsewhere, such as embedded into a window. On my car, it’s located in the right rear side mini window.

Advancements in technology have packed a lot more function into a much stumpier antenna.

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**EDIT**

Adding a Google link to show what they look like inside …. [HERE](https://www.google.com/search?q=inside+a+shark+fin+antenna&newwindow=1&rlz=1C1GGGE___US535US535&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwia7Yj8wunsAhUCUt8KHRMhA9oQ_AUoAXoECAcQAw&biw=1097&bih=575&dpr=1.75)