My Stubby only works part time.....

Hey guys. I just turned 60 and joined the "old geezers club". I was sitting out in the garage staring at my new Tacoma tonight and was ready to do my first mod.

As an older guy, it had to be fairly easy as I did not want to miss Jepordy.

I did not really care for my OE mast antenna and dug around in my parts bin for a replacement. I found my "CravenSpeed" stubby that I used to run on my 350Z. It fit great and look good.

I have a '15 Sport AC with non-JBL Entune plus and NAV. The stubby picked up my FM and most of my AM stations which was fine. The shark fin works great for the satelite stuff. However, my HD weather app does not work with the stubby. It cannot download any data. The weather app does work fine with the mast antenna. Obviously the weather stuff is received by the mast and not the fin (which would have been my first guess).

I love the look of the stubby but I need the weather updates for my work. So I had to put the stubby away and go back to the mast.

So much for my first mod, a dismal failure.

Donald

 

bummer but thank you for saving me some cash. after my lift the mast hits the top of the garage.

 

I picked up a 13" shorty antenna from the local auto parts store for $10. Works great.

 

It's probablly just not making full contact with the base, inside the antenna mount. I had this happen to another truck of mine. I had to "modify it" by extending the screw-in part of the antenna and JBwelding it to the inside circumfrence of the mount.

Don't recommend doing this though, as it is not easily reversible.

 

My stubby antenna sucks as well but I listen to my ipod anyway

 

Boy, I'm sure glad this is about a radio antenna. When I read the thread title............

 

Yeah, when you turn 60 I hear there are issues with the old " stubby " not working all the time.

That is what I heard anyway...

<< 59, turns 60 in March.

 

Yep, stock mast antenna for 2015. I think I had a CB whip on my '82 Toyota that was about the same length! I have a 9 foot tall garage door, it would hit a shorter one.

Just my feeble attempt at a little humor for us older folks.

Hope you all have a good day.

Donald

 

It does look much taller than what came with mine. Perhaps the camera angle?

Did the OEM antennas come in different sizes, depending on what features the radio had?

 

Thanks for the advice.....I may play around with mine over the weekend as I think my threaded insert does screw out of the mast. Possibly screw that in first until it bottoms out and see if there is enough thread left to engage the stubby.

Donald

 

No, that is the stock length unless there are different lengths for different head units. I took that pic standing looking straight on, I am 6 feet tall. I can measure it tonight after work if anybody is interested.

Donald

 

I would be interested, and it would be appreciated.

I have a base radio (no apps), so am curious whether the head unit dictates the size of the antenna (although I just had my antenna replaced thanks to the kindness of another TW member).

 

I dont have the fancy radio and I am not sure if this will work for you however, I just cut mine in half and put some heat shrink on the end. I have never had a problem with reception even in the woods. As far as weather i keep that simple too..If i'm getting wet, it's raining. If i'm dry it's not. Don't need some fancy dohickie to tell me that. Plus i always keep a frog togs coat in the truck.

 

^^^^Give this guy a medal, lol.

 

Had one, NEVER worked when the fiance wanted to listen to radio So, I took my dremel to my OEM one, cut it to 13". Works like a charm.

 

Yep, tried the stubby myself. Then a modded CB antenna. Ended up just hacking the stocker in half. Works fine.

 

the shorty antenna i bought, was only one step down from stock height, from a 'popular' vendor frequently used here on TW totally sucked.

if its nipping your garage door (mine did) just buy a new stock antenna (keep your current one in case you want to put it back) and trim just enough off the top so it clears the garage door, do not cut the wire, just the metal shaft. wrap the extra wire around, reattach the ball with a dab of glue, shoot it with black spray paint. your done.

 

possibly, if you paid him a living wage, he might work full time.

 

Just got home and got out the tape.

32" from base to tip. Entune, non JBL, with NAV.

Donald