Stubby antenna

Does anyone have a stubby antenna that works?

 

I just cut my stock antenna to 13". Put tape on the ball end and use the claw end of a hammer to knock the ball off. The tape keeps it from rolling and getting lost.

 

I got one of these in October 2016 at Walmart as the OEM antenna would not fit under our flat roof carport; it comes with adapter studs that fit the OEM base, I tossed the supplied base and cable into one of my junk drawers--who knows what you might need some day.

It is 13" long--1/9th λ at 100 MHz (the middle of the FM band) but while not an optimal length (29.5" is 1/4 λ) it does work well here in the flatlands of NE Florida. I get good reception of stations from Jacksonville and Daytona. both 50+ miles away; even when its bent backwards at 85 mph. It continues to behave as it should, springs up straight when stopped and no cracks or fading.

13" is about as short as you can go with a passive antenna and have any reasonable FM detection and anything other that close-in suburban locations.

For $8.97 you cannot go too far wrong...

 

I got one of those tiny 3” ones, and then made an adapter by cutting the head off of a long bolt, so I was able to screw it much further in than would have been possible with the supplied hardware. Not sure if that helped but it picks up the radio just fine this way.

 

do you have pic's did you purchase from Amazon?

 

I bought this one from Advance Auto Parts. Then just found the metric bolt I needed and cut one down with a Dremel. These adapters are way too short. You don’t need to take it off for the automatic car wash, that’s why I got it.

 

I just bought this from a Member on here and works flawlessly.

 

You live and stay fairly close to a metropolitan area? A 1" Walmart quality antenna would probably work just fine in the center of LA. Driving across the open spaces of the west? Shorties suck ass. Heck, even most high quality tall antennas don't work as well as one would like.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-TRD-Carbon-External-Antenna/dp/B00A1AX1VE

AntennaX Off-Road (13") Antenna for Toyota Tacoma

https://www.amazon.com/AntennaX-Off-Road-13-inch-Antenna-Toyota/dp/B00651C9OI

I’ve tried both of these and the first the 4.7 inch looked good but that’s about all it did. The second the 13 inch worked ok but I had 2 of these flexible ones ripped off in the automatic car wash. The second time it broke off in the antenna receiver in the fender. Never an issue with the stock other rubbing the garage door pulling in. I still remove the antenna before going thru the wash.

 

My son got one for his truck, worked like crap.

 

People still listen to the radio?

 

I'm using this one... works pretty well.

AntennaX 50 Cal Black Bullet (5.5") Ammo Antenna for Chevy 1500 Silverado

https://www.amazon.com/AntennaX-Bul...1536478&sr=8-3&keywords=50+cal+bullet+antenna

 

I've tried the stubby antennas a couple times over the years and had no luck with them...probably because I live in hilly western Pa.

 

I had a stubby antenna and it didnt receive worth crap. I got rid of it.

 

I got the same one, works well.

 

Use a wire hanger. Plus, if abortions become illegal you will be prepared

 

Dude, this is actually pretty badass. Do you still have it? I've tried TWO different AntennaX products. They both lost ALL the color (paint) in less than six months, and I had to repaint them. They also both BROKE, and I had to get a broken screw extractor to get the screw out of my antenna housing.

I live in Vegas, so it's hot and the sun beats down on poorly made products, which is likely why the paint faded so darn fast. However, I also take it off when I go through the car wash, so for both of my AntennaX products to break off, is, not cool. They need more durable screws..

Also, did this AntennaX Bullet for the F-150 fit the Tacoma?

 

it is still on the truck right where I put it a couple years ago, hasn't faded at all yet and also I leave it on when I go through the car wash too... but... I live in Oregon. Might be somewhat of a different story if I lived in Vegas such as yourself. As of now though I have had not a single problem with it.