Antenna question...

anchorsaweigh · Sep 26, 2018

With today's technology, you would think that the old fashioned mast antenna would have gone the way of the Do-Do. Why are we all still driving around with these monstrosities sticking out of the fender?

I have tried different stubbys with zero results and I don't want to install the mast again.

Does anyone out there know of a really good (or even decent, for that matter) stubby?

Cheers

Bob

Fitz-0518 · Sep 26, 2018

Bob, absolutely and fully agree. Got to believe the technology is there. Tried a stubby, liked the appearance but in our area could not get the same reception. Sure hope we can find a good solution. Fitz

Ramm5.7 · Sep 26, 2018

I have a stubby(not what SHE said) and works for me in my urban locale. Others have cut the oem down to likeable height

Schultzestrength · Sep 26, 2018

My first truck had an embedded antenna in the windshield. It was really damn good too.

turkeybird56 · Sep 26, 2018

Well, I got a 2019 with all the stuff built into a roof "pod". Satellite, GPS, antenna, etc, and works well. There is no fender mounted antenna. Not sure if that change would be something U were interested in, just thinking out loud.

PowrRam · Sep 26, 2018

As long as there are AM radios installed in the vehicles and the mast antenna is the cheapest way to receive AM radio signals, there will be mast antennas.

anchorsaweigh · Sep 26, 2018

Who the hell still listens to AM radio?

Truck Fun · Sep 26, 2018

I wouldn't object to a shorter model antenna either. Cell phone doesn't have an external antenna; nor does laptop. Surprised AM radio is still around.

turkeybird56 · Sep 26, 2018

PowrRam said:
As long as there are AM radios installed in the vehicles and the mast antenna is the cheapest way to receive AM radio signals, there will be mast antennas.

Hmmm, dunno, but I have no antenna but upper pod mounted on roof of truck and listen to AM at times, hmmmm. Just saying......... Not quite sure what is in that pod, but I sure as heck not pulling apart.....

PowrRam · Sep 26, 2018

turkeybird56 said:
Hmmm, dunno, but I have no antenna but upper pod mounted on roof of truck and listen to AM at times, hmmmm. Just saying......... Not quite sure what is in that pod, but I sure as heck not pulling apart.....

Key phrase is "as long as the mast antenna is the cheapest way to receive AM radio". Unless ALL 2019 Ram 1500's have this roof pod.

turkeybird56 · Sep 26, 2018

Now this is my opinion only, but with all of the 2019's that I looked at, none had a mast antenna, all had antenna pods.

from Truck Trend Reporting:

Moving to the roof, all of the GPS, radio (terrestrial and satellite), and Wi-Fi data are handled by a new “shark fin” antenna, making the Ram 1500 the first pickup to completely do away with the traditional mast antenna. A panoramic sunroof with 10 square feet of glass is now available, and the roof has been formed to flow air seamlessly off the trailing edge and onto the tailgate.

PowrRam · Sep 26, 2018

turkeybird56 said:
Now this is my opinion only, but with all of the 2019's that I looked at, none had a mast antenna, all had antenna pods.

from Truck Trend Reporting:

Moving to the roof, all of the GPS, radio (terrestrial and satellite), and Wi-Fi data are handled by a new “shark fin” antenna, making the Ram 1500 the first pickup to completely do away with the traditional mast antenna. A panoramic sunroof with 10 square feet of glass is now available, and the roof has been formed to flow air seamlessly off the trailing edge and onto the tailgate.

Awesome. Way to go Ram. I stand corrected.

Michael Cole · Sep 29, 2018

I hope to in the near future to build and retro fit a power antenna on my 2015 Laramie. Will purchase the stock antenna base and a Retrosound remote motor antenna, PA-02. An aftermarket non remote power antenna will not fit in fenderwell. Need to remove stock cable base from mounting base and try to retrofit remote cable base on mounting base. Then mount motor in motor bay. Need on/off button switch added as I do not want to run off radio because I do not want it up every time radio is turned on. Have SiriusXM that I use most of the time. Let you know how it works.

Michael Cole · Sep 29, 2018

Truck has every option you can get except sun roof. Almost $10,000 in options and they still put a stupid whip antenna on the truck. %#@&()*

tourrider · Sep 29, 2018

It comes down to physics. If you want gain at those longer wavelengths, then you need the mast. In urban areas, and when your listening to a 50K watt blowtorch, then you can get away with a stubby, or horizontally embedded element. But in the middle no where, you listen to noise. I listen to AM every morning, and just 50 miles west of Baltimore I still have some trouble until they switch to the daytime non-directional pattern, or I get 10 miles closer in.

78Staff · Sep 29, 2018

I've had good luck with this one, well reviews on Amazon as well as here on RamForum.com...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TA3FBZ2

2966 · Sep 30, 2018

cut oem down and re-attach ball end ..10min your done

muddy12 · Sep 30, 2018

I went with the short flexible parts store antenna.

It works perfectly for me.

However, I had an 82 Chevy K20 that had the antenna embedded in the windshield. Don’t know why they don’t still use those? Great reception, and no external mast.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Aussie-John · Sep 30, 2018

I have to agree!! Crazy!! Can someone tell me what is the black box on the roof at the rear?? I thought it might be GPS. but that looks to be stuck to windshield

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

muddy12 · Sep 30, 2018

Aussie-John said:
I have to agree!! Crazy!! Can someone tell me what is the black box on the roof at the rear?? I thought it might be GPS. but that looks to be stuck to windshield

Most likely the antenna for the xm radio.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Antenna question...

Senior Member

Veteran 66-68

Senior Member

Senior Member

Military Vet 1976-1996 Retired US Army

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Military Vet 1976-1996 Retired US Army

Senior Member

Military Vet 1976-1996 Retired US Army

Senior Member

Member

Member

Grumpy

US Navy Veteran

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page