I have a 1998 Ford Ranger XLT with the stock AM/FM cassette radio unit. It gets fair reception, but I'd like to try to improve the FM radio reception. I replaced the stock 31" antenna with an aftermarket antenna, but the reception is the same. I was thinking about adding a second hidden antenna, getting a dual adapter, and connecting them both to the radio. Would this result in better FM reception, and has anyone ever done something like this?

Antenna adapter:
Second possible antennas: , ,

 

They need to be the same "gain" or it will be worse

Whats the complaint about your FM reception?

Distance or drop out

 

Distance is the problem. This is the antenna that I used to replace the stock antenna ( ). The reception is just as good as the stock, but I'd like to get better reception for stations that still have static. How would I know the gain of an antenna, and would adding a second antenna of the same gain boost reception?

 

You can buy a signal booster fairly cheaply (20 bucks or so). Basically just a little box that gets wired inline on the antenna cable with it's own power supply. This will improve a weak signal but wont fix a bad signal.

 

Make sure the ground between your hood and the rest of the truck is good. I have a GMC 3500 Dmax and for some reason the FM radio reception is effected by the grounding of the hood.
Jim