Stubby antennas

[Beetlebomb]

does one lose any distant reception, either AM or FM, by switching to on of these stubby antennas? I mean, like, 4 to 6 inches long?

[CoriBug]

I lost some FM reception but all of my favorite stations still come in clearly most of the time. The stubby is a great mod - the stock antenna is too long!

[2004NBTURBOS]

Around town the stubby lacks a little reception. On long road trips I change up to my longy.

[doublebarrel]

Yes you lose reception.If I didn't listen to XM most of the time I would have replaced mine long ago.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

There is an optimum length for an FM antennae. Has to do with radio wave length. That is the reason they are the length they are, and the reason the stubbies don't work well.

Originally Posted by doublebarrel

If I didn't listen to XM most of the time I would have replaced mine long ago.

Not sure what that's about, the SAT antennae is a different antennae all together.

MORAV

[Beetlebomb]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

There is an optimum length for an FM antennae. Has to do with radio wave length. That is the reason they are the length they are, and the reason the stubbies don't work well.MORAV

Well, so much for changin' over to a stubby, then. I favor reception over looks, in this case, so will stick w/the OEM.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Good choice!

M.

[CoriBug]

Originally Posted by Beetlebomb

Well, so much for changin' over to a stubby, then. I favor reception over looks, in this case, so will stick w/the OEM.

Really depends on the stubby and your location. Like I said, my reception changed only a little. I had the advantage of trying the stubby on my car before buying it for only $10 at a VW show. If I would've listened to the opinions here, I would not have bought mine because I listen to FM radio mostly (sometimes my iPod) and missed out on a cool blue antenna to match my car. My mechanic loves it and swears he's gonna steal it for his mk2 Golf.

[Beetlebomb]

Originally Posted by CoriBug

Really depends on the stubby and your location. Like I said, my reception changed only a little. I had the advantage of trying the stubby on my car before buying it for only $10 at a VW show. If I would've listened to the opinions here, I would not have bought mine because I listen to FM radio mostly (sometimes my iPod) and missed out on a cool blue antenna to match my car. My mechanic loves it and swears he's gonna steal it for his mk2 Golf.

I listen mainly to AM talk radio: sports talk and sometimes political, but mainly sports talk. So, how do ya think a stubby will work for my specific listening tastes?

[sir william]

I want to change mine also, but that is my main concern