Is there a stubby antenna available that doesn't suck?!

[Sponge60]

The frequency range for FM requires a longer antenna than what you may see on vehicles with VHF, UHF, 800 radios. However, stubby type antennas do give some reception, especially when your closer to towers. Go with what you like. It's your ride!

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[Guns_N_Rosaries]

I bought a Votex - The Original 6 3/4 Inch Antenna, and it's been just as good for me as the stock one reception-wise. I live in the DFW metroplex though, so take that into consideration. It has seemed as good as the stock one when I've been driving to visit family hours away though.

 

[CookieSoup]

my stock antenna hits less the my Ham and CB antennas. honestly its flexible I have never worried about it i would rather it work better then look better

 

[JsnJcksn]

As it has been stated, antenna length will affect reception. I live in an urban (as it can be in WV) and the local stations did not take a hit when I went to this one:
Rydonair Antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MSJC2GR/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_8XHEJ8MBGB43RJYPXRTA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

That said, if you move far enough away from the towers, the reception drops quickly.

 

[SSinGA]

As it has been stated, antenna length will affect reception. I live in an urban (as it can be in WV) and the local stations did not take a hit when I went to this one:
Rydonair Antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MSJC2GR/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_8XHEJ8MBGB43RJYPXRTA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

That said, if you move far enough away from the towers, the reception drops quickly.

I have the same one and it seems to work well.

 

[HopSlammer]

Yep, I have the 13 inch Rydonair, it works well for me.

 

[steve68]

Have one from Amazon, but I refuse to listen to the radio, so I really don't know how it works, Orlando has ruined me of radio listening, that and the news, nope!

 

[Sazabi19]

This just in! Half a dozen eggs is 6 eggs short of a full dozen!

Antennas are the length they are from the manufacturer for a reason. While I find it interesting (work loosely in the field) I did do a bit of Googling (would help you) and talked to guys in my office about it.

Essentially the radio signals you're trying to get are a certain length. They probably travel quite a distance so they'll be bigger than say anything in your home for wifi. Let's say the station you're trying to get has a wave of about 2 ft. Our standard antenna has more length than that and can absorb that just fine. Now think of a stubby 6". That's 1/4 the size of the antenna (called quarter wave) and now that full signal has be taken in by antenna. If there isn't enough saturation in your area for enough varied waves to hit the antenna at full length, you're not going to get much of what you want to listen to.

Ever wonder why you'll see some vehicles have those huge comical looking antennas? Those are meant to catch waves easier. Lower frequency waves travel further and penetrate certain structures better but they're also much longer (several feet) than a higher frequency wave.

Just like anything else you need the right tools for the right job. A regular ratchet is often desired but sometimes you're gonna need that breaker bar on there or it won't really work. Same goes with these antennas. You're fighting physics and thigs you just aren't going to change. Most of us get these shorties because we don't like the whip effect the regular has. I don't listen to commercial radio so I don't care that I don't get good signal.

And just in case you're asking why other cars can get away with having shark fin antennas and get good signal, it's because their antenna also runs the length of the A pillar and some portion of the roof, extending their surface area to go gather signals.

 

[tucker]

If you're driving in the countryside, go for a longer antenna. In cities, short ones work fine. Stubby antennas usually stay intact on off-road trips, but in car washes, they might scrape against the windshield and damage the paint. You can easily remove them with a wrench, but it's rare for them to break while off-roading.

 

[GWolgamott]

Has anyone had any issues with OEM antenna breakage out on trails? That is what I'm most concerned about.

No but it dented the #*@) out of the area next to the window. I removed it when I noticed the oem antenna was leaving a sizable dent there. I've a 2020 so maybe they changed that up, but was the only reason I changed to a stubby. Reception sucks with stubby not enough for me to care though, like on certain radio stations I lose maybe several miles of reception where I'd expect to have it otherwise. But I didn't expect anything different with putting a small antenna I guess.

 

[Pismo61]

The Ford Bronco antenna works great.Go to you tube.I believe dirt road cred. has the video on it.

 

[Lunentucker]

The Ford Bronco antenna works great.Go to you tube.I believe dirt road cred. has the video on it.

 

[jackalope]

I’ve wasted about $75 on two different stubby antennas. They break or are torn off in automatic car washes. Going back to the OEM even though it’s a pain when washing the front window at the gas station. It has lasted through several car washes and as noted earlier, it’s a good indicator for height checks.

 

[hakoda]

What's next. Crystal clear microwave glass?

 

[dlmpsy]

I put on a 27" inch antenna, I wanted it about even with the top of my windshield. The factory one was slightly taller and more flexible. I live in the woods with a lot of mountains. I knew a stubby wouldn't work well because of the wave thing. It is made by a company called "AntennaMastsRus" they have different sizes on Amazon.

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