Best stubby antenna?

[Kevin_D]

If you understand radio propagation and how antennas work, you'd know that there's no way a dinky little stubby antenna will work as well as the stock whip antenna. For FM reception, 31" is the optimal length for mobile applications, and the longer the better for AM.

Only thing I didn’t like about the stock antenna was the color, I ordered a replacement that is all black from Amazon, may be a couple inches shorter than stock.
AntennaMastsRus - 31 Inch Black Antenna is Compatible with Jeep Wrangler JK - JL | Gladiator (2007-2022) - Spiral Wind Noise Cancellation - Spring Steel Construction - Stainless Steel Threading https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZJNIIZ...t_i_6A79NN0NK0AB5R071SW2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I've been thinking I'll just Plasti Dip mine black. Or maybe blue...

Kevin

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[ShadowsPapa]

It doesn't bother me at all. I don't take mine off at the carwash either. Didn't know that was a thing. It gets washed with my jeep. Never have done that on any vehicle with a long antenna.

My solution - never take any of my vehicles through any car wash that can touch or snag on anything at all. I've seen trim snagged and ripped off, things bent, lost.
If it touches a vehicle, I won't go through it.
If it's too cold for me to wash it, I'd only ever go through something that can't touch anything on my truck or car. Otherwise, I wash with wand as I know what needs the attention or special time spent getting it clean.

 

[AEsco48]

Physics is physics. If you are in an area with strong signal, you may not even need an antenna. If you are in an area where signal is weak, anything but the full size antena (which is tuned to FM/AM wavelength) will mean you have very poor reception.

Example, i live in Denver CO, in the city with a small (9") antenna had normal quality service. The moment I go west into the mountains, past the few bends, the service is horrible. With the factory antenna i can go into the mountain for 20-40 miles and still have good service.

Returned the small 9" Quadratec antenna and now enjoy good service with my full size antenna again before I switch over the Sat radio.

 

[Deleted member 28696]

Hey guys! Just went through the wash with my Gladiator. No, this isn't a horror story so if you got excited I'm sorry ???. I went to remove the antenna on the gladiator and I realized that I really don't want to deal with that every time I go through a wash. Plus I don't really care for the look. Please share your experiences with stubby's good and bad. Pic of my freshly washed JT for your viewing pleasure ?.

I'd recommend the Ronin 50 Cal Bullet Antenna. Maintains the military jeep theme. I haven't had any issues in town with reception. I had a Recon but it would require modification of the antenna mount so I returned it.

 

[SargeDiesel]

I like the retro look of original antenna, besides everyone changes them I like being different.

Me to, just wish it was only about 16" or so

 

[Deleted member 28696]

Do any of you saying no change in reception live out in the country or take cross-country trips? Asking because I put a 50cal bullet antenna on my JKU and reception sucks where I live. I don’t even turn on the radio anymore

For Cross country Trips I would probably use Satellite radio or my phone. I'm sure it would have issues with reception. In town the Ronin 50 Cal Bullet antenna works fine HD radio etc. I purchased the bullet antenna more for the looks.

 

[SargeDiesel]

Anyone know the female base mount thread size ? Or the male screw thread size of the oem antenna ? Looking for an adapter and can't seem to find one. Most are the 4/5mm small ones... looks like the Gladiator is atleast 7/8mm. Can anyone confirm ?

 

[Deezul_JT]

Anyone know the female base mount thread size ? Or the male screw thread size of the oem antenna ? Looking for an adapter and can't seem to find one. Most are the 4/5mm small ones... looks like the Gladiator is atleast 7/8mm. Can anyone confirm ?

I'll check for you tomorrow as I'll be installing that.


-Sayed

 

[USMC-SSGT]

I have crystal clear hd radio signal with the stock antenna, immediate static with the shorty.

i live in newburyport ma, like 25 miles north of boston. radio signal is typically pretty decent around me, i'm not in the sticks.

Im only 8 miles north of you on the coast and had the exact same experience. Ended up cutting mine down, soldering the ball back on and painting it bumper black.

 

[SargeDiesel]

I'll check for you tomorrow as I'll be installing that.


-Sayed

I think I figured it out 5/16th.... let me know if you can confirm. Thanks

 

[SargeDiesel]

Im only 8 miles north of you on the coast and had the exact same experience. Ended up cutting mine down, soldering the ball back on and painting it bumper black.

does the ball unscrew or did you have to cut it off even and solder it back to the cut of the shorten antenna ?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Me to, just wish it was only about 16" or so

The one I have is 15" and looks like the stock antenna except it is black. This one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R1WW95O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I posted a pic of it back in post #22.

 

[USMC-SSGT]

does the ball unscrew or did you have to cut it off even and solder it back to the cut of the shorten antenna ?

Twist it off with pliers.

 

[OHJeeper]

Does bending the antenna have a serious impact on reception? I've been thinking of taking the stock antenna and moving it inside the cab but putting it in the A Pillar and maybe a little bit into the windshield header.

Could that work?

 

[SargeDiesel]

Does bending the antenna have a serious impact on reception? I've been thinking of taking the stock antenna and moving it inside the cab but putting it in the A Pillar and maybe a little bit into the windshield header.

Could that work?

The optimal length is 31"... I would think what you're thinking of doing would impact reception, just like when people do a delete and put it in the hood... but Im not an expert....

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