What I would like to find, and have asked about on this thread, is.....
Does anyone know of an antenna that offers the best "bang for the look"? In other words, "if you go any shorter than THIS antenna, you lose reception at a much faster rate.". Where is that sweet spot? The stock antenna gets great reception, looks like crap. The 4" antenna looks great, but the reception is greatly limited. So, the sweet spot is somewhere in between. I asked in my original post, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WORKS IN BROADCAST ENGINEERING who can give us some insight?
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What I would like to find, and have asked about on this thread, is.....
Does anyone know of an antenna that offers the best "bang for the look"? In other words, "if you go any shorter than THIS antenna, you lose reception at a much faster rate.". Where is that sweet spot? The stock antenna gets great reception, looks like crap. The 4" antenna looks great, but the reception is greatly limited. So, the sweet spot is somewhere in between. I asked in my original post, IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WORKS IN BROADCAST ENGINEERING who can give us some insight?
I looked at about 20 different sites for a concise layman's explanation but couldn't find one. I found some great bits and pieces here and there but it would take a bunch of compiled reading to extract it all. I found some Navy formulas & graphs that said they were "basic" but I think almost all of us here would find them way beyond acceptable in this forum. I found people debating SWR readings and their accuracy to what constitutes an ideal, I found expert people doing exstensive prototypes trying to do trial and error construction of an antenna for their own needs, and only doing as good as coming up with a compromise conclusion etc. Experts only seem to agree that no one has an absolute answer.
I will probably regret trying to help but here goes my attempt at a layman's summation anyway.
There just isn't a cookie cutter approach to any individuals need solely relying on length (height being how high off the ground/above obstacles). I didn't find a simple "dyno"-like one line graph, with length on one side and reception on the other. I don't think it would be relavant/accurate anyway due to each of our factors that would compose "total reception" at a given spot for a given source. (With averages having their own positive and negative impacts.) Too many factors come into play as were alluded to earlier i.e distance from the broadcast point being the problem v. terrain/multipath interference being the problem or giving a balance between both, as just one example. I might shorten my antenna and it gives the best possible overall reception for me because in so doing I got rid of multipath and adjacent channel spill over (I forgot the right term atm) where as that length might totaly have the opposite effect for you because your reception problem was with pulling in a far away signal at your town X-miles from the source.
Our antenna is a reception antenna not a broadcast antenna which can have different "ideal" parameters.
The "sweet spot" referenced by procareauto is 31" so now we are looking for other secondary/lesser sweet spot(s) if that is accepted.
Looks can be subjective.
Bang for the buck also becomes subjective.
Most of the stubbies we have talked about are 3 to 9 inches up to 15/18 because someone reported that any longer without wind ferules or whatever they are called, cause "whistleing" So the question arises does that affect zeroing in on a next best sweet spot.
Anyway, to try and actually answer the question. I would say that Tweety's instal is probably the best "bang for the look" imo, but now you may say hey my buck matters because I was thinking of spending $8 to $15 on an antenna and not $50 to $70 <shrug> But if solely confined to limiting it to bang (reception) and look it's my pick. I think I may try the one with a slightly remote motor, and a manually adjustable stubby like the one above in my own real world, compared to stock, in order to actually make my final overall decision for my personal geography and channel preferences, and then just call it standard and accept what I get for traveling. Although my golden audiophile ears have deteriorated since youth I wholeheartly agree with someone's elses previous perception that CD's are significantly better sounding than AM/FM&XM anyway on the stock systems. Point being that someone elses bang for the look might be a 6" non extendable stubby for 10 bucks and whenever/wherever it doesn't perform up to what is desired switch to CD.
Best of luck finding what is best for you.
Just purchased a universal 14” replacement antenna rubber mast, made by Metra/AutoWorks (P/N:AT-RM1R), at the local Advance Auto Parts place (Item#6050138) for $4.98. I live in the Green Mountains and the reception is equal, if not better, then the original antenna. Looks great too! Much more modern looking than the old pickup truck style factory original.
I looked at about 20 different sites for a concise layman's explanation but couldn't find one.
The simple explanation for 31 inches is this: Most radios are designed to work antennas that are 1/4 the wavelength of the signal. The FM band is centered around a wavelength of about 124 inches; 1/4 of that is 31.
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It's short enough to hide. The reception is decent. Best of all it matches the Lil' Chromies I got from Kappasphere! Stubby perfection!
I have had the little stubby from carccessory.com since January. Never a problem with reception and it great when I have to put on the car cover. It works and you forget it is there! Just order "Type O".~~ Trent
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The reception on the O's could be bad depending on the area where you live. If you have strong local stations no problem but if you do not, then you will have a problem.
The beauty of the J vs th O is the fact that it extends up to 11" if you need better reception or you can just live it at 4" lengh.
__________________ Aggressive GXP at $25,995.00 shipping of $600, Manual Transmission.
Options:
Air, $960; Chrome Wheels, $545; PCQ, Premium Package (Leather), $525; Radio, 6-Disc with MP3, $495; Monsoon, $395; Premium Acoustic Headliner, $150; and Sport Metallic Pedals, $115; all totals $29,180.00. No XM/OnStar and NO Spoiler. MODS (RKSport/Magnaflow dual exit exhaust system, K&N filter, Ventureshield.
First 1000. Aggressive with everything, NO XM/OnStar. SOLD
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The reception on the O's could be bad depending on the area where you live. If you have strong local stations no problem but if you do not, then you will have a problem.
The beauty of the J vs th O is the fact that it extends up to 11" if you need better reception or you can just live it at 4" lengh.
__________________ Aggressive GXP at $25,995.00 shipping of $600, Manual Transmission.
Options:
Air, $960; Chrome Wheels, $545; PCQ, Premium Package (Leather), $525; Radio, 6-Disc with MP3, $495; Monsoon, $395; Premium Acoustic Headliner, $150; and Sport Metallic Pedals, $115; all totals $29,180.00. No XM/OnStar and NO Spoiler. MODS (RKSport/Magnaflow dual exit exhaust system, K&N filter, Ventureshield.
First 1000. Aggressive with everything, NO XM/OnStar. SOLD
~~~~~~~ NASSOA
Founding member
~~~~~~~
I know the atenna has the female end while screws into the mail end on the car....can the mail end on the car unscrew or come off somehow without taking the whole unit itself out?
Ok, stupid question. But there there such thing as a 6" O type antenna? I thought I read somewhere on here that they got themselves a 6" antenna. I thing 2.55 might be a bit short for my tastes....
The 6" antenna was from a different dealer. The supporting vendor that has the "O"'s has other stubbys that can go from 4.55" to 11" from the same antenna.
__________________ Aggressive GXP at $25,995.00 shipping of $600, Manual Transmission.
Options:
Air, $960; Chrome Wheels, $545; PCQ, Premium Package (Leather), $525; Radio, 6-Disc with MP3, $495; Monsoon, $395; Premium Acoustic Headliner, $150; and Sport Metallic Pedals, $115; all totals $29,180.00. No XM/OnStar and NO Spoiler. MODS (RKSport/Magnaflow dual exit exhaust system, K&N filter, Ventureshield.
First 1000. Aggressive with everything, NO XM/OnStar. SOLD
~~~~~~~ NASSOA
Founding member
~~~~~~~
I have always thought that a stubby was the way to go I really cant belive they even put a mast on that does not retract like the old days.
I am adding this to my list of wants for our Agressive with all the trimings.
Much more modern looking than the old pickup truck style factory original.
