Shark fin.

Salman · January 17, 2021

Hello, good moring everyone
Does anyone know what is the diffrence between the normal antenna near the front window and the shark fin on the roof? Silverado 2019
Because from what I know the shark fin is the new model of antenna most car companies use it instead of the normal antenna, but here both at the same time.

Vicarod · January 17, 2021

Welcome to the forum!

PLEASE post pictures of your regular cab Trailboss!

The shark fin antenna is for Onstar, digital radio, telephone and possibly GPS nav? I know the compass gets it's signal from the shark fin as well.

Others will correct me where I am wrong.

GM claims that it is not great for radio reception, therefore they still have a whip antenna (by the window) for our radios.

I do know when my 2014 had issues with the compass not reading correctly, I pulled the shark fin antenna and it had suffered water intrusion. $40 later, I had bought a new antenna and installed it. Compass heading was correct.

redwngr · January 17, 2021

Whip antenna is better at receiving the wavelengths used for am/fm.

(and a long one works better than a stubby)

Edited January 17, 2021 by redwngr

Salman · October 6, 2021

On 1/17/2021 at 4:20 PM, Vicarod said:

Welcome to the forum!

PLEASE post pictures of your regular cab Trailboss!

The shark fin antenna is for Onstar, digital radio, telephone and possibly GPS nav? I know the compass gets it's signal from the shark fin as well.

Others will correct me where I am wrong.

GM claims that it is not great for radio reception, therefore they still have a whip antenna (by the window) for our radios.

I do know when my 2014 had issues with the compass not reading correctly, I pulled the shark fin antenna and it had suffered water intrusion. $40 later, I had bought a new antenna and installed it. Compass heading was correct.

Sorry for late reply, and thank you!
See this picture of my Regular cab Trail Boss I hope you like
I also have more in my Instagram account @Sveew.media

shakenfake · October 6, 2021

Lucky Saudi bastard!!! Sweet truck bro

Salman · October 6, 2021

5 hours ago, shakenfake said:

Lucky Saudi bastard!!! Sweet truck bro

Thank you!

TxTruckMan · October 6, 2021

All correct answers. I don't think anybody uses the shark fin for AM/FM. It's too small. Many companies actually integrate the radio antenna into the window - kind of like the defrost strips. This, of course, makes the window more expensive and complicated. The longer the antenna the better the performance. GM keeps the long wire antenna because it has the best performance. They claim it's to keep their rural customers happy who live far away from radio towers and want reception. If you live in a city close to the radio tower then you can get away with switching to a stubby antenna.

redwngr · October 6, 2021

Old farts will recall GM had the radio antenna in the windshield for may years.

Silverado4x4 · October 6, 2021

2 hours ago, redwngr said:

Old farts will recall GM had the radio antenna in the windshield for may years.

Old fart here as I remember that very well also remember the antenna in the front fender that you had to pull it up out of the fender then push it back down in the fender if you didn't want to leave it up. Rich people cars had the auto electric up and down antennas

redwngr · October 7, 2021

2 hours ago, Silverado4x4 said:

Old fart here as I remember that very well also remember the antenna in the front fender that you had to pull it up out of the fender then push it back down in the fender if you didn't want to leave it up. Rich people cars had the auto electric up and down antennas

I was impressed the first time I saw and electric up/down antenna.

Z45 · October 7, 2021

As I understand it the "Shark Fin" antenna is multi-band. Cell, GPS, etc. mast antenna is only AM/FM capable.

If you ever wondered why the Shark Fin antenna is mounted off-center?

Quote

According to sources familiar with the project, it all comes down to vehicle assembly ergonomics. In order to place the antenna more centrally on a given vehicle’s roof, General Motors would require a new “ergonomic chair” that would give an assembly line operator access to the top center of the vehicle during the assembly process of the various GM truck and SUV models.

To note, the “ergonomic chair” we reference here is essentially a piece of equipment that an assembly line worker sits in, which moves the operator into position to install various components on a vehicle.

Edited October 7, 2021 by elcamino

TxTruckMan · October 7, 2021

I heard that before. I think it looks fine where it is. Maybe because that's where they've been for 20 years. If it was in the back it would need to be centered, as most are.

gemarsh · October 7, 2021

I'm an old fart. I think they should center it in the middle of the hood in the front, like us old farts with cars that had hood ornaments. Remember them 5lbs of plated mass? Get in a head on collision and it would turn into flying projectile?