Antenna recommendation

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 10, 2018 | 02:14 PM

muecker

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jun 2018

Posts: 87

Likes: 0

Antenna recommendation

Any half- or medium-height antennas that you guys recommend? I'm tired of banging on the garages when I pull in. I've done Stubby on my other trucks and was not satisfied with the loss of reception, so I would like to go mid or half height if possible. Thanks.

Dec 10, 2018 | 02:30 PM

delorenzomp

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 817

Likes: 18

I did see a late model F150 with a replica munitions cartridge as the antenna, it was approximately 4"-5" tall (at a glance), I would guess the basic 'rubber ducky' replacements would be effective too (if you get past the appearance)...

Dec 10, 2018 | 02:33 PM

delorenzomp

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 817

Likes: 18

I just saw that I missed your stubby statement...others on this forum have removed the ball tip (by cinching an adjustable wrench on it and giving the wrench an upward 'whack' (be sure to follow the ball)...then cut off a bit (they say it does not noticeably affect reception) and then return the ball to the antenna (probably after grinding-off any burrs )...

Dec 10, 2018 | 02:47 PM

Poncho450

Lead Driver

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 5,947

Likes: 1,359

From: NY/Canada border

Quote:

Originally Posted by delorenzomp

I went with a rubber stubby at first. A) I thought it looked kind of goofy. B) It lasted a few months, but one time it didn't come home from the car wash. So I'd seen the suggestion above. I twisted the ball off the top with pliers. Cut the antenna to a length that would fit under my garage door and epoxied the ball back on. Many months and dozens of car washes later, still there and still works with no appreciable difference. Could have save myself $20 or so if I'd done that to begin with.

Dec 10, 2018 | 02:57 PM

muecker

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jun 2018

Posts: 87

Likes: 0

Thanks, Y'all. I'll try to modify the length of the stock antenna. Appreciate it.

Dec 10, 2018 | 04:15 PM

jimzpsd

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2017

Posts: 2,435

Likes: 732

From: Wisconsin

Take a propane torch to the ball, GENTLY heat it up,.......... slides right off. Do the same to replace it..........slides right on.

Dec 10, 2018 | 04:55 PM

delorenzomp

Laughing Gas

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 817

Likes: 18

Great tip, jimzpsd !

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Joe Kucinski

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Brett Foote

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

Pouria Savadkouei

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Brett Foote

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Joe Kucinski

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Brett Foote

Dec 10, 2018 | 05:31 PM

GABAR

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 5,650

Likes: 243

From: GA

Quote:

Originally Posted by muecker

Look for one in the 13-21 inch range and you should be okay.

Dec 10, 2018 | 06:02 PM

#10

TCNashville

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2018

Posts: 1,244

Likes: 275

From: South Central Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towerhog

This is similar to the one Im using with no issues.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...UTF8&amp&psc=1

Exactly the one I bought, easy to install and no loss of reception.

Dec 10, 2018 | 06:40 PM

#11

HRTKD

Hotshot

Joined: Oct 2015

Posts: 19,715

Likes: 12,853

From: Wyoming

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCNashville

Exactly the one I bought, easy to install and no loss of reception.

I bought this one also to avoid the garage door. I would argue that there was some loss of reception. Maybe 15%? Hard to gauge. I carry the OEM antenna under the back seat. The loss of reception wasn't bothersome enough for me to swap the two antennas.

Dec 10, 2018 | 09:23 PM

#12

cjindna

5th Wheeling

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 41

Likes: 5

Initially ordered a 21” replacement and found it to be too short. Wound up then ordering the 27” which runs just an 1” or so higher than the top of the cab providing some level of early warning for potential low clearance roof damage.

AntennaMastsRus - 27" Black... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078L4GTNY?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Dec 11, 2018 | 07:37 PM

#13

Motown82

Junior User

Joined: Nov 2018

Posts: 73

Likes: 1

Tagging this for later

Dec 11, 2018 | 08:33 PM

#14

slip knot

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2018

Posts: 111

Likes: 0

I bought a generic shorty from Autozone. @10in long. After dragging the original all over the parking garage in Houston. I haven't noticed a big loss of reception, but I listen to Sat. radio mostly. I might modify the OEM mast to just a hair over the roofline. like the idea of using it as a height gauge.