RAM 1500 Truck 4WD V8-5.9L VIN Z (2002)
Antenna Cable: Description and Operation
ANTENNA BODY & CABLE
The antenna body and cable is secured below the fender panel by the antenna cap nut through a mounting hole in the right front fender. The
primary coaxial antenna cable is then routed beneath the fender sheet metal and through a entry hole in the right cowl side panel into the interior of
the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, the primary coaxial cable is connected to a secondary instrument panel antenna coaxial cable with an in-line
connector that is located behind the right kick panel. The secondary coaxial cable is then routed behind the instrument panel to the back of the
radio.
The antenna body and cable connects the antenna mast to the radio. The radio antenna is an electromagnetic circuit component used to capture
radio frequency signals that are broadcast by local commercial radio stations in both the Amplitude Modulating (AM) and Frequency Modulating
(FM) frequency ranges. These electromagnetic radio frequency signals induce small electrical modulations into the antenna as they move past the
mast. The antenna body transfers the weak electromagnetic radio waves induced into the rigid antenna mast into the center conductor of the
flexible primary antenna coaxial cable. The braided outer shield of the antenna coaxial cable is grounded through both the antenna body and the
radio chassis, effectively shielding the radio waves as they are conducted to the radio. The radio then tunes and amplifies the weak radio signals
into stronger electrical signals in order to operate the audio system speakers.
