Radio antenna options/ Hidden Antenna/ cb antenna for radio?

Looking to either relocate my antenna or remove it completely and use one of the hidden antennas, or a cb splitter. If I relocate it, it would probably be replaced with another, perhaps shorter, rod antenna to retain my reception. Or even use my stock one, and relocate somewhere up front other than the stock location. Perhaps on the lip of the fender with a lip clamp mount, like a cb radion antenna mount.
Reasons being, that I have some 4.5" led cannon lights with cbi ditch brackets, and the antenna sits flush right in between and against the passenger light. It works, but looks out of place, and also rattles fairly loudly against the light. If it had some pressure on the antenna it wouldnt make noise. But it sits perfectly flush with the front of the light. I'm sure it's already starting to scratch off some paint. I am probably going to get some bigger cannons to replace these as well in the future. But yeah, there's the reason, for those of you that need to know

Let me know what you guys think. Or if there's another option, besides 'bending' my stock antenna around my light. I mean, I guess I could try it, seeing as I'm gonna be removing it anyways. But I think that would look quite odd myself...




First option I am considering, is this 'splitter' for cb antennas that allows dual input from cb AND radio antenna. I have not installed my cb antenna yet, but this would also be an ideal option for me, if it works as intended without interference.

$33 ProComm Im-AF Splitter CB AM FM Radio Audio Stereo Antenna MultiPlexor

http://www.amazon.com/ProComm-Split...595085&sr=1-1&keywords=ProComm+Im-AF+Splitter
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/products/cb-am-fm-antenna-splitter
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The hidden antenna option, I'm kinda leery about. Mixed reviews and what looks like cheaply made products. But am liking this option too. Can easily mount under my windshield behind my big visor tint strip. Has anyone tried one of these?
http://www.amazon.com/Am-Fm-Hidden-...4068&sr=8-1&keywords=windshield+radio+antenna

$21 Jensen AN150SR AM/FM Antenna, Amplified Glass Mount Medium

http://www.amazon.com/Jensen-Marine...25594100&sr=8-2&keywords=hidden+radio+antenna


Or these hidden 'amplified' antennas?

Krator Hidden Antenna - for Car, Truck, Motorcycle, Boat, Golf Cart, Campers, Amplified Antenna AM FM WB Universal Fit Compatible with All Applications AM FM Car Radio Stereo Windshield Hidden Antenna, Black, (TLB1800)

http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Antenn...25594100&sr=8-7&keywords=hidden+radio+antenna

 

on my stock antenna I just bent it. I went up around 2-3 inches from the base and bent it to match the angle of the a pillar. we do it like this on our ae86's and it looks good so I just did the same on my taco. I think it looks really good.

 

Well the problem on mine, is the antenna would have to be bent out to the side, or in, and back up. The light is directly behind the antenna. I'll snap a pic here in a few.

 

Pics added

 

I say go for the dual cb radio antenna option. I removed my antenna completely lol.. But I never listened to the radio in the first place.

The next question is where to put the cb antenna lol. I'm going to use one cbi mount for my antenna and one for an LED pod/dualie..

 

I replaced mine with a short (1 foot) rubber antenna from AutoZone or similar retail parts place. Reception is as good for me, may vary for you depending on your proximity to the stations you listen to.

I did the same to my FJ I sold - worked great.

 

just flip the bracket over or add a short piece of flat aluminum bar to shift the light over to the inside of the fender instead of outside of it, problem solved, it no longer is behind the antenna.

those short antebnnas are crap and don't work good at all, all they catch is stations very close to you so you wont have more then 4 or 5 stations and that's if you live in the city.

 

I removed the ball off my stock antenna, cut it down to about 4", beveled the cut edge, and glued the ball back on. The reception is not great, but I do get the local stations fairly well. I mostly listen to Sirius anyway, but the fm/am is still there.

 

I was thinking the latter actually, but for the cb antenna. With the splitter used.

Hmm.. I just don't know. I might see what AutoZone carries for the shorty rubber ones. Because I WAS gonna mount my cb antenna in the back by brake light/tail gate. Thought of running a few extension cables, but I assume reception quality would suffer as well?

 

you could also go the route of a short amplified antenna.

This guy, for example: http://trackdogracing.com/tdr-ant.aspx

that way you would keep your stations. If you using the stock radio, you could splice the amplifier power wire into your cigarette lighter.

 

Well.. I've decided to go the cb splitter route. But for the third time at looking up cb antennas and accessories needed, there's so many options I just don't know what to get...

I kinda wanna go big, and get either a 4 or 5 ft firestick, or would really like to run a 102" whip in the back by tail gate. But the thing is, it'd be mostly for looks. I rarely would use my cb. But I think those big metal whips are pretty badass looking. Heh. Just not really realistic for my uses.

But also found this antenna and I really like the look of it. Thinking of mounting it on my roof led bar bracket above the door. But being 3 foot above the cab it's still gonna be "up there"... But going this route, the cable run would be shorter .

$21 RoadPro RP-550 30" Ring Tunable Stainless Steel CB Antenna

http://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RP-550-Ring-Tunable-Antenna/dp/B001JT3Q0C

Behind this bracket where the roof bar mounts..
What do you guys think?

 

Antennas are tuned for reception. Radio and CB radio. Altering the length will alter the reception. You may could use a fiberglass or carbon fiber arrow, pull the ends off of it and jam it down tight against the bottom of the antenna to cause it to be stiffer and act as a buffer against the light while retaining the tuning for AM/FM reception.

 

Good idear. Except I wanna remove the antenna period so it isn't in front of the light at all

Certainly not gonna cut it. That's why I'll be using the cb antenna to hopefully retain my reception, if not get better reception, as long as there's no interference. But even if so, probably won't be using my radio while I have the cb on.

 

I went with a CravenSpeed Stubby.

 

Jesus. How's the reception on that tiny thing?

 

OP, Specs on the round LED light you have next to antenna in first pic?

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/365584-new-lights-mrt.html

 

http://www.metraonline.com/part/Aftermarket_Antenna_44-PW530

 

No problems, but I'm usually in/around Colorado Springs and Denver. When I listen to the radio, it's always one of the local stations. I'm sure it won't do as well in a fringe coverage area, but that's what my iPod is for.

 

Welp, just ordered up my setup.
Also ordered the cb/radio antenna splitter as well.
Gonna be mounting it probably on the driver side roof bar mount. That way I can just reach up and quickly fold the antenna down if need be. Hope this all goes smoothly. Just realized I forgot a swr meter though:/