shorter antenna masts?
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Cupertino, CA
shorter antenna masts?
Hi -
Has anyone replaced their 30" screw-in antenna mast with a shorter one, like the Scosche 13" model? I'd like to know how happy you are with its performance. I realize that it probably won't be as good as the stock mast, but it won't go boinggggg on my garage door as I'm going in/out either...
Has anyone replaced their 30" screw-in antenna mast with a shorter one, like the Scosche 13" model? I'd like to know how happy you are with its performance. I realize that it probably won't be as good as the stock mast, but it won't go boinggggg on my garage door as I'm going in/out either...
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Elder User
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From: Cupertino, CA
shorter antenna masts?
Firesticks? Is that a brand name for a whip antenna? I seem to recall that one of the bands (don't remember whether it's AM or FM or even both) don't do well with nonlinear antennas.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 395
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shorter antenna masts?
I have an 87 witht the metal ant. I just removed the litte ball from the end of the mast, put a staight edge on my roof and cut the ant. off at that mark and crimped the little ball back on. I have a small lift and 33 inch tires, I can now judge anything that looks to low to drive under by driving up and seeing if the ant. hits, if it clears then I know I am ok to drive under. I haven't noticed any signal loss, it looks much better and it doesn't drag down the garage door any longer.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: New Canaan, CT
shorter antenna masts?
I would get the smaller anttena and if the signal loss is bad you could get a signal booster but I dont think you will need one. i am actually think of putting a power anttena in my truck. I swear it looks like the car wash is going to rip it out when i go thru.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Cheney, Wa
shorter antenna masts?
jc whitney sells a copper core 15" attenta for like 7 bucks it should just screw in place and should give pretty good reception
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Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Coal Region
shorter antenna masts?
i have an 18" billet shorty antenna and didnt notice and signal loss....
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Cheney, Wa
shorter antenna masts?
Originally posted by mzimmers
Firesticks? Is that a brand name for a whip antenna? I seem to recall that one of the bands (don't remember whether it's AM or FM or even both) don't do well with nonlinear antennas.
Firesticks? Is that a brand name for a whip antenna? I seem to recall that one of the bands (don't remember whether it's AM or FM or even both) don't do well with nonlinear antennas.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: White Sands, NM
shorter antenna masts?
Antenna length is determined by the frequency range the antenna is designed to recieve. Shorter antennas are made possible by "loading" the antenna. That is, the same amount of antenna is used, just some of it is coiled around the base of the antenna mount. You can't just cut an existing antenna and expect optimum reception across the entire freq range. Just search around and find an antenna that's manufactured to the lenght you want, it will be properly loaded and you'll have no problems.
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Elder User
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From: Cupertino, CA
shorter antenna masts?
Thanks for the input, Sailor. I'm curious, though...if antennas are determined by the incoming frequency, is a car antenna meant for AM or FM? As I recall there's quite a difference between those two bands.
Elder User
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From: White Sands, NM
shorter antenna masts?
antenna theory is pretty heavy stuff. I guess the short answer is that your car antenna is a compromise between the two bands. You'll notice that most vehicle radios don't recieve AM as well as your home stereo with an AM antenna does.
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Elder User
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From: Cupertino, CA
shorter antenna masts?
Originally posted by superswamper
jc whitney sells a copper core 15" attenta for like 7 bucks it should just screw in place and should give pretty good reception
jc whitney sells a copper core 15" attenta for like 7 bucks it should just screw in place and should give pretty good reception
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Kapaa, Hawaii
shorter antenna masts?
actually you won't find that much of a difference cutting off the antenna unless it's a big chuck. but even then, it will only shorten the range. when get new cars in, Ford installs a little metal stub just to get reception while moving it. but don't expect to hear far off staions. the AM band relies heavily on car body for a ground plane to catch ground wave signal. thats why you notice the higher you drive the better your FM reception is. AM what the hell is that now days anyway ? talk shows ? what ever style you chose should be better for you. that ball on the end cuts the static build up down...... maybe Radio Shack, or any place with an auto section should have something.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: southeast,usa
shorter antenna masts?
Seems like now-a-days antennas are sized for best reception in the FM band. Efficiency on the AM band was usually accomplished by an internal "tuning" circuit, to account for the short antenna length. These were often adjusted for sensitivity with a small adjustment screw on the back of the radio. For FM the formula for a 1/4 wave antenna lenth at 100 MHZ on the dial in inches would be 2808 divided by the frquency in MHZ (100) divided by 2......or roughly 14 inches in about the middle of the FM band.........just some more stuff you probably really don't want to know
.best of luck
.best of luck