Ideas for a shorter antenna?
- Thread starter lebowski_c6
- Start date
new guy to this forum but have been checking this place out for a year. thanks for the antenna info. got the same one and it works great
I have a 99 4runner Limited and am swapping out the stock radio with a new tuner with bluetooth capabilities. I also want to remove the stock power antenna and replace with a stubby non motorized rubber one. What do y'all suggest and can this be done without rewiring the antenna back to the stereo? Basically can I swap out the mast easily?
You can't just swap the mast, you would have to replace the whole assembly. I would just leave the antenna power wire disconnected and the existing one will stay down. It will still probably have better reception that a stubby.
DannyLlama
Elite Member
[MENTION=83083]rigtec[/MENTION] what is your long term review of this antenna? Lost mine on the trail recently and need a replacement
Lava rocks
New member
In for feedback also on that 13" antena-x
rigtec
New member
Hi DannyLlama,
This 'Short' rubber antenna by 'Antenna-X' will out-perform some of the longest devices on the market... not only the 'aftermarket' tool grade units, but the 'factory-market' as well! I tried "The STUBBY" first, only to discover just another gimmicky product that could not hold a stable radio signal only five miles from our major radio broad-casting stations in New York City! I ended up sending that antenna to another forum member (free of charge) because someone had stolen his stock, 36" to 40" antenna right from his driveway.
I told him about the trouble that I'd had with the 'so called' "STUBBY" but he was happy to have it, due to the nature of his dilemma and frustration! The 13 inch "Antenna-X" does perform extremely well even where I'd consider it to be 'out-of-range'! ...and the best part of this flex-able compact lil' unit is it's strong NO-DRIFT reception, incredible durability and affordability! At $14 bucks there's no risk to the buyer, and... it installs in just two minutes! This one gets a BIG FIVE *****! Buy with confidence! Antenna-X 'Best to you',
rig
Lava rocks
New member
Thanx for the update will b ordering soon
Old thread I know, but maybe someone still has
Just tried the PepBoys 029B.
FM - I can tell no difference in the city.
AM - Considerable noise floor increase.
The only other thing that concerns me about the 029B is that it's solid. So if something hits it will the fender mount get screwed up or will the antenna break. Hopefully the latter but neither option is good.
Just tried the PepBoys 029B.
FM - I can tell no difference in the city.
AM - Considerable noise floor increase.
The only other thing that concerns me about the 029B is that it's solid. So if something hits it will the fender mount get screwed up or will the antenna break. Hopefully the latter but neither option is good.
ic0517
New member
Like I suggested before, and others too, take a Dremel to your current antenna. If you can cut a hole in the fender for a snorkel, you can take a Dremel to the antenna.
If you think you f****ed up royally, you could just go to any Toyota parts dealer and order the stock one and put it back. I tried a stubby, it sucked.
Way back in time, in a distant galaxy, I took a senior level antenna theory class from one of the gods of antennas, Professor Paul Mayes, at the University of Illinois. This guy, with his grad student, came up with the log-periodic antenna, the one used for TVs from the 1960's to when the gubment had the VHF bands shut down for cell phone use. Without boring you to death, short story is the antenna should be a half a wave-length long, and you can put a piece of metal under it to double its effectiveness. Metal underneath, check. Length, um you aint getting the ideal length for 88-108 MHz. But the longer you make it, the better off you are.
All I did was take a look where the white paint marks are on the antenna, and cut that puppy 1/4" shorter. Yes, you loose the round ball at the end. Yes, that round ball does something, its helps with something called "capacitive loading". But guess what, instead of working at 100 miles from the radio tower, maybe its 90 miles from the tower. You still have the CD player that can also play DVDs loaded up with mp3s, you still have the satellite, you have the smart phone bluetooth link, you still have an analog input some place, you still have the USB that you can load music up on. Its not a big deal. Cut the SOB, life is too short. Nobody is gonna give a shit if you whacked the antenna, they are gonna check the miles, check CARFAX, see if you smoked inside the cabin, how many dents and how much rust. I went to the local Toyota dealer cuz he had a red TRD Pro, guaranteed they didn't even notice it, they were probably more concerned about the bright white LEDs, and how to f**k me over properly. (23k for a 2013 Trail? Suck it. Wasn't even worth trying to negotiate).
That thick area on the stubby antenna is windings, an inductor aka choke, it is trying to increase its effective length. Forget it. If you own a Dremel, its way cheaper. and if you don't, you will want one some day.
If you think you f****ed up royally, you could just go to any Toyota parts dealer and order the stock one and put it back. I tried a stubby, it sucked.
Way back in time, in a distant galaxy, I took a senior level antenna theory class from one of the gods of antennas, Professor Paul Mayes, at the University of Illinois. This guy, with his grad student, came up with the log-periodic antenna, the one used for TVs from the 1960's to when the gubment had the VHF bands shut down for cell phone use. Without boring you to death, short story is the antenna should be a half a wave-length long, and you can put a piece of metal under it to double its effectiveness. Metal underneath, check. Length, um you aint getting the ideal length for 88-108 MHz. But the longer you make it, the better off you are.
All I did was take a look where the white paint marks are on the antenna, and cut that puppy 1/4" shorter. Yes, you loose the round ball at the end. Yes, that round ball does something, its helps with something called "capacitive loading". But guess what, instead of working at 100 miles from the radio tower, maybe its 90 miles from the tower. You still have the CD player that can also play DVDs loaded up with mp3s, you still have the satellite, you have the smart phone bluetooth link, you still have an analog input some place, you still have the USB that you can load music up on. Its not a big deal. Cut the SOB, life is too short. Nobody is gonna give a shit if you whacked the antenna, they are gonna check the miles, check CARFAX, see if you smoked inside the cabin, how many dents and how much rust. I went to the local Toyota dealer cuz he had a red TRD Pro, guaranteed they didn't even notice it, they were probably more concerned about the bright white LEDs, and how to f**k me over properly. (23k for a 2013 Trail? Suck it. Wasn't even worth trying to negotiate).
That thick area on the stubby antenna is windings, an inductor aka choke, it is trying to increase its effective length. Forget it. If you own a Dremel, its way cheaper. and if you don't, you will want one some day.
As above.
Remove antennae.
Use a sharp knife to cut through plastic coating at the ball end a full 360 degrees allowing it to be removed.
Clamp antennae to table.
Use channel locks or the equivalent to glide over the antennae and bump off the ball - it will take some force.
Measure and cut antennae just enough so that it is still higher than your roof rack rails, but lower than your garage door/parking deck overhead.
When you've located the ball years later, glue it back on.
Hit with flat paint.
Works flawlessly.
Remove antennae.
Use a sharp knife to cut through plastic coating at the ball end a full 360 degrees allowing it to be removed.
Clamp antennae to table.
Use channel locks or the equivalent to glide over the antennae and bump off the ball - it will take some force.
Measure and cut antennae just enough so that it is still higher than your roof rack rails, but lower than your garage door/parking deck overhead.
When you've located the ball years later, glue it back on.
Hit with flat paint.
Works flawlessly.
