Best stubby antenna?

[3oi]

This works great for me for FM and SiriusXM - haven't tried AM yet. Caveat: I live in TX with flat terrain and favorable RF environment.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09CCL371W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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[OHJeeper]

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....

Me, either!

I was thinking that "back in the day" we used to run CB's with the whips bent from the hood over the Jeep and anchored in the back (or the other way around). Didn't seem to affect reception since the total length was the same.

... but I also (barely) know that AM/FM signals are polarized at 90° to the earth, so that's the reason our antennas are also perpendicular to the ground. Seems like bending it would have an affect, but would it still be better than a 13" antenna?

Any RF engineers out there?

 

[3oi]

Any RF engineers out there?

Everything impacts everything in RF. The ideal antenna length for a certain range of frequencies, say the AM/FM bands, is relative to the wavelength being received - in short: Big antenna for low frequencies, small antenna for high frequencies. However, almost anything can be an antenna in the right circumstances - I first learned this when I was a kid in FL and had a guitar tube amp that picked up a Cuban AM station every night.

While the antenna is a critical component, you also have terrain (hills/foliage), height of the transmitting tower, output power of the station, and whether you receive the signal direct (think line-of-sight) or through reflections (bouncing ball).

 

[SargeDiesel]

Me, either!

I was thinking that "back in the day" we used to run CB's with the whips bent from the hood over the Jeep and anchored in the back (or the other way around). Didn't seem to affect reception since the total length was the same.

... but I also (barely) know that AM/FM signals are polarized at 90° to the earth, so that's the reason our antennas are also perpendicular to the ground. Seems like bending it would have an affect, but would it still be better than a 13" antenna?

Any RF engineers out there?

I just picked up a 16". I live in a rural area, so Im hoping it wont affect signal too much. Definitely hanging onto the oem just incase. If all else fails, I will plasti dip it black or just hit it with some Flat Black BBQ paint.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTENNA-MA...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

The one I got

 

[OHJeeper]

I just picked up a 16". I live in a rural area, so Im hoping it wont affect signal too much. Definitely hanging onto the oem just incase. If all else fails, I will plasti dip it black or just hit it with some Flat Black BBQ paint.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTENNA-MA...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

The one I got

That's no JT... that's a JK. What the heck, man

 

[SargeDiesel]

That's no JT... that's a JK. What the heck, man

Its a stock photo from the website, still waiting for mine to be delivered... lol good eye !

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