Shorty Radio Antenna

[southpier]

Van application for regular am-fm dealer installed radio which I never use: this thing any good to replace the long stock antenna - http://antennax.com/i-24625726-antennax-the-shorty-6-inch-black-antenna-for-gmc-savana.html

or is there something better? once in never I turn the radio on for 10 minutes but usually focus on driving and not hitting people wandering around.

thanks

 

[Rezarf <><]

They claim on their own website that 20% of customers will experience signal loss. "4 out of 5 experience no signal loss"

However, if you just want a lower profile antenna it looks like it will fit the bill nicely.

 

[rossvtaylor]

Hi. I understand you're asking about a specific shorter screw-on option... but, we just had to remove an external antenna (where a roof rack will interfere) and got a soft wire antenna that works pretty darn good, for under $8. We routed it inside the windshield, along the upper console, and it works quite well. And, being inside, it can't be damaged by branches and the like.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O8SQNG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[PhulesAU]

Bolt cutters or cut off wheel??

 

[spot]

Cravenspeed makes stubby antennas that work fantasitic


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Choff]

I Went to a short antenna on my GMC Savanna, I have gotten no good reception with it also, but I do not like the big one flapping all the time.
I listen to Bluetooth anyway most of the time

 

[southpier]

thanks for the input. searching around, the GMC truck forum showed the antenna removed and remounted across the cab under the cowl vent/ windshield wipers under the hood, so I tried it. pretty much sucks, but it was free and I don't listed to the radio enough to let it bother me.

once in a while i'll bring the iPod, but if you guys think texting while driving will kill you, stay out of the way of someone trying to find a favorite song among 3,900 others at 60 mph!

 

[KE7JFF]

You could also build a wire dipole and tape it with gaffers tape carefully to your windsheild

 

[OuterLimits]

The old-style, 31" car radio antenna is sized and maximized for FM radio reception. For AM, optimized radio reception would require a silly long antenna, To get around this, radios have a bit of circuitry inside that matches the resistance/capacitance of the 31" FM antenna to work on AM.

By getting a shorter antenna, it will de-tune the match (resistance/capacitance) for both AM and FM reception. This lack of proper "match" or tuning will lead to reduced signal strength. That's physics.

If the signal is strong enough, you will not notice the attenuation. When you get into a fringe or weak signal situation, the shorter antenna will struggle.

In other words, if you live in the city, you will likely not notice the difference. If you are out in the boonies, the shorter antenna will have trouble providing a good signal.

Good luck

 

[Triplesnake]

I have a cravenspeed stubby on my Titan. I haven't noticed any issues with the reception with mine.