Jsut removed my stock stereo...why is there two antennas?

Posted Dec 30, 2009 · 02:16 UTC#1

I was removing the stock stereo and found two antennas plugged into the rear of the unit. Why would there be two?

Also does it look like any of the factory plugs will go straight into the z110? I won't have the unit until Thursday...

Here is a pic:

Posted Dec 30, 2009 · 02:57 UTC#2

What's your vehicle and was it the stock unit?

Posted Dec 30, 2009 · 03:06 UTC#3

No, none of those plugs will plug straight into the unit. You will need a harness for your vehicle.

Posted Dec 30, 2009 · 03:15 UTC#4

It's a '04 4Runner Limited. I did not haev NAV in car, it was just a CD player and tape player

Posted Dec 30, 2009 · 03:54 UTC#5

It is a diversity antenna set up, your stock radio selects between the two and looks for best reception. 99.9 percent of aftermarket radios do not have this feature.

Just use the larger one.

Posted Dec 30, 2009 · 04:13 UTC#6

It is a diversity antenna set up, your stock radio selects between the two and looks for best reception. 99.9 percent of aftermarket radios do not have this feature.
Just use the larger one.

Thanks for the info. What do you mean larger one? They look the same.

Posted Dec 30, 2009 · 04:24 UTC#7

Before you button up the navi, test the AM/FM. Keep the one that has the best reception.

Posted Dec 30, 2009 · 05:08 UTC#8

Usually the plug or the coax is sliglty smaller than the other one on toyota/lexus.

Posted Dec 30, 2009 · 16:09 UTC#9

There's also a Y adapter that you can use to plug both antennas into your new HU.

Metra 40UV43

Posted Dec 31, 2009 · 17:24 UTC#10

You need to use the bigger antenna to go straight into the HU. You don't need the adapter. Just tape up the unused antenna and ensure you splice into the power conector bundled with the antennas. The HU harness has a wire labled "Power Antenna" that you should hook it up to.

Posted Jan 07, 2010 · 19:09 UTC#11

I have had this debate with my install dude, and we went the route of just using one of the two sides of the diversity antenna. He maintains (and he's certainly qualified on the matter) that the Pioneer units have no way of dealing with a diversity antenna. Even though I have correctly powered the antenna, radio reception is still vastly sub par of what I had with my factory Toyota unity - when listening to HD Radio this is especially annoying as it reduces the effective range considerably. :twisted:

So, is there no practical hack or prepackaged solution to leverage the diversity antenna to improve over all signal performance ?