It's called polarization and it relates to the orientation of the transmitting antenna. If the transmitting antenna is vertical, the majority of the transmitted energy is vertically polarized so it stands to reason that to pick up the most signal the receiving antenna should be the same way.
In a moving auto though more is now understood about the propagation path the signal takes before it actually gets to the moving radio. The signal isn't line of sight but takes a lot of reflective paths before it actually gets to the antenna. The signals are reflected so many times that polarization is altered and can be any direction by the time it gets to the car receiver.
Radio stations get around this anomaly by circularly polarizing the signal at the transmitting antenna. Many car antennas are now embedded in the glass windows instead of wire whips formally mounted to the fenders.
Not all radio antennas are vertical.The main reason radio antennas tend to be vertical is convenience of mounting. Many early radio antennas were long horizontal wires strung between two poles or trees. This was also a matter of convenience in mounting such a long antenna (e.g. 50 feet to 100 feet in length).When you are operating radios in the VHF or UHF band a vertical or horizontal mounting of the short antennas used at these frequencies might be selected to improve reception of a polarized radio signal sent by the transmitter.
Linear vertical or horizontal polarization is normally used in microwave transmission. Reasons: Circularly polarized antennas are more complex and more expensive, because they are actually double polarized antennas, i.e. a combination of horizontal and vertical polarizations. Rain attenuation is lowest when the polarization is vertical. Therefore longer hops can be built if circular polarization is avoided.
Bluetooth system
The main thing to remember for CB radio antennas is that taller antennas will work better. If this is for a vehicle, select a tall antenna where at least 50 percent of it will be above the roof line. You will have the best range this way.
The spiral shape lessens wind noise created by typical cylindrical shaped antennas masts. It is there for passenger compartment noise reduction only, and has nothing to do with the noise or clarity of the radio signal it receives.
The options for car radio antennas include internal car antennas, external car antennas, power antennas, and satellite antennas. The internal antenna is the least effective and most cars come with either the external fixed antenna or the power antenna unless their is a satellite radio in the car and then it is a satellite antenna.
Not all radio antennas are vertical.The main reason radio antennas tend to be vertical is convenience of mounting. Many early radio antennas were long horizontal wires strung between two poles or trees. This was also a matter of convenience in mounting such a long antenna (e.g. 50 feet to 100 feet in length).When you are operating radios in the VHF or UHF band a vertical or horizontal mounting of the short antennas used at these frequencies might be selected to improve reception of a polarized radio signal sent by the transmitter.
Paul H. Lee has written: 'The amateur radio vertical antenna handbook' -- subject(s): Amateurs' manuals, Antennas, Radio
An antenna is for radio reception. Some antennas are visible and usually mounted on the front right side fender. Some antennas back in the eighties were used for car telephones and CB radios and were not installed by the factory. Most remote starting features and some burglar alarms also utilize antennas. Some radio antennas were imbedded in the windshield
To pick up more reception.
The length of an antenna is based on what frequency it is designed to send or receive. The higher the freq. the shorter the antenna. For instance, cell phone antennas are very short while AM radio antennas are long. CB antennas are 18 feet long but there are many exceptions where people have tried to design shorter versions that will still work well.
Antennas
It sends out signals through the air to a radio tower.
John Griffiths has written: 'Radio wave propagation and antennas' -- subject(s): Antennas (Electronics), Radio wave propagation
There are many places where one can purchase car antennas. One can purchase car antennas from popular on the web sources such as Auto Trader and eBay Motors.
Linear vertical or horizontal polarization is normally used in microwave transmission. Reasons: Circularly polarized antennas are more complex and more expensive, because they are actually double polarized antennas, i.e. a combination of horizontal and vertical polarizations. Rain attenuation is lowest when the polarization is vertical. Therefore longer hops can be built if circular polarization is avoided.
Oswald G. Villard has written: 'Miniature directional antennas for improved radio reception' -- subject(s): Antennas, Radio