Proven exceptional antennas?

Im looking for quality antenna advise and recommendations for a top level antenna. I'm probably in the going extinct catagory but I use the am/fm and am not about apps although I've had Sirius radio in the past and loved its features. Ive owned multiple Kenwood sxcellon top ends in different vehicles, ALL of which had reception issues. My factory units did not. One shop stated even high end h/u use cheap tuners as they more and more rely on apps. Probably 1/2 truth and 1/2 an attempt to passify me.

Do attennas have differing needs between aftermarket or say my 06 Sienna factory JBL? I need advise and real experience on finding a really good anntenna. I want to stay with the oem JBL unit for now. It is better sounding than any car set up I've thrown $$$ at anyway. Problem is recently the reception has intermittantly been weak. It happens later in the day. Seems like a weak signal no matter where I am. I lose almost all reception. AND it never used to do this. Weird. I known you may say its the h/u, and maybe it is. But it just doesnt seem like it, especially with other past units in other vehicles have antenna reception issues?

 

In my ‘06 with a 6” stubby antenna and a Kenwood Excelon DMX906S, I had no reception issues throughout town, and into the country. My guess would be there was no CORRECT antenna adapter between the Kenwood and the stock antenna cable in the vehicles you had problems in. Or, the antenna cable is loose.

*edit* Another possibility, I remember a thread from a while back. May apply to your truck. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/antenna-corrosion.817076/

 

Good sugestion. It is an almost 20 years old Sienna. Problem still remains that it acts up in the evenings. If corrosion is actually a culprit, Higher moisure maybe?

 

Moisture, road grime, acid rain, aliens, not sure. But it does happen. Check the antenna connector as well, could be something simple like that too.

 

You are not going to get a better designed antenna than the factory system. Is the antenna pole tight and secure? No rust in the threads of the pole? Has the corner of the car with the antenna been in an accident before? Is the rubber that secures the mast to the fender cracked? If so replace it I've seen where the mast touches the fender when driving cutting out the signal. If you are listening to the same one station it is possible they have moved broadcasting locations or lost signal strength over the years. If it were me though I'd still swap out the stereo those old JBL radios don't sound very good and have very little features it is just difficult to integrate into the factory amp and have it sound good.

 

Thanks for the replys. Guess my best bet is to remove the antenna/inspect.
This is in my 06 Sienna Limied with the 7.1(?). Believe it or not when working it sounds great. Very high end for the day. Very fearure heavy although complicated and the outdated gps isn't as refined or ez to use as a more modern unit.
I would have to spend more than to much to replace with comparable quality. That and I have had terrible luck with the poor quality of professional" shops... no matter how much $$$ you throw at them.

I'm in the Modest/rurkock area and if there is any energetic audiophile nuts around interested in side cash...?