Any shorty antenna's that actually work?

[FL-RAM]

I tried out a shorty antenna on my old F150 and it just didn't work very well. That was a few years ago. Anyone make one now that gets good FM reception?

 

[canadiankodiak700]

If you live in our near a big city, most of them will work. If you live out in the suburbs or in the country, you will only pick up the strongest radio stations, and most of them will have degraded quality. I rarely use FM anymore, Spotify is my go-to most of the time so I picked up a flexible 7" just to cover the antennae stud. Less noticeable looking at the truck, and doesn't get caught in the car wash it I go through an auto Wash.

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[SitKneelBend]

The shorter the antenna the poorer the reception.

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[fitzmann85]

If you live in our near a big city, most of them will work. If you live out in the suburbs or in the country, you will only pick up the strongest radio stations, and most of them will have degraded quality. I rarely use FM anymore, Spotify is my go-to most of the time so I picked up a flexible 7" just to cover the antennae stud. Less noticeable looking at the truck, and doesn't get caught in the car wash it I go through an auto Wash.

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I would have to second this one. I use SiriusXM 95% of the time but the times I have listened to the "terrestrial stations" I have noticed very little degradation of quality on my stubby antenna. This is the one I use:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J8W5Z9C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is kind of the stereotypical antenna that EVERYONE has. But I got it for the shortness of it mainly. If I could make a suggestion I would get an antenna with the most amount of metal in it that you can find. The rubber ducky kind will suffice but the metal antennas will only help your cause out more.

 

[crazykid1994]

Here’s what I’m running. Minor signal loss but only on the stations that are farther away. no loss of local stations.
Rydonair Antenna Compatible with 2012-2020 Dodge Ram 1500 | 13 inches Flexible Rubber Antenna Replacement | Designed for Optimized FM/AM Reception https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CZCNZJ3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lSsFFb8TD2SM7

 

[crash68]

I have one those bullet shaped antennas, it looks good and barely works for local stations.
I found the AntennaMastsRus - The Original 6 3/4 Inch Antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6CAZKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MAtFFbFQSC7R0 works almost as good as the factory mast. It will tune in HD Radio stations most of the way to my buddies house which is 35 miles away, the factory mast starts to lose them about a mile away. I would say there's about a five mile difference between the two and I compare HD reception as it drops faster than regular FM reception.

 

[Cableman]

Here’s what I’m running. Minor signal loss but only on the stations that are farther away. no loss of local stations.
Rydonair Antenna Compatible with 2012-2020 Dodge Ram 1500 | 13 inches Flexible Rubber Antenna Replacement | Designed for Optimized FM/AM Reception https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CZCNZJ3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lSsFFb8TD2SM7

Yes this one works well!

 

[FL-RAM]

I have one those bullet shaped antennas, it looks good and barely works for local stations.
I found the AntennaMastsRus - The Original 6 3/4 Inch Antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6CAZKK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_MAtFFbFQSC7R0 works almost as good as the factory mast. It will tune in HD Radio stations most of the way to my buddies house which is 35 miles away, the factory mast starts to lose them about a mile away. I would say there's about a five mile difference between the two and I compare HD reception as it drops faster than regular FM reception.

Thanks. I just ordered one of these. If it doesn't work as well as I like I'll get one of their longer ones.

 

[rotwiler]

I have the 8.4 radio, always had horrible reception in my Ram. When I installed a aftermarket radio in my Camaro ss I had had reception also, the noticed a antenna booster in box. So, last week for a fakra antenna booster on Amazon for under $10. Installed it and noticed about a 30-40% improvement in stations. I live rural, certain areas the reception would go out for about 5 minutes on my drive home, now, it may go out for a few seconds, so made a big difference and this is using a shorter antenna also. Plugs into back of radio and to antenna(no cutting or anything). Then just need to connect the wire to a pos + when trucks on. I used my remote turn on wire from the amp pro ch41. Also installed antenna, but no longer is in stock.

 

[rule18]

I put this on a few months ago, works fine for AM/FM... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YFB8CBQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[RAM DRVR]

I just cut about 10" off the OEM antenna. Works well, but I listen to XM 99% of the time.

 

[misfit77]

Anyone else lose stations when the headlights are on?

This is with or without factory antenna.
Headlights are LED or OEM.


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[mtnrider]

I tried out a shorty antenna on my old F150 and it just didn't work very well. That was a few years ago. Anyone make one now that gets good FM reception?

There is no way around (for the most part) using the proper antenna length, shorter will be worse. Antenna design is based on the wave length of the frequency you are trying to receive. Most car antennas are based on a 1/4 wave length design. So for the middle of the FM band it would put your best antenna length right at ~30 inches long. (what a stock antenna is)

While a shorter antenna may "work" in most cases it will get worse reception no doubt about it. If you are in a metropolitan area with strong stations you may not notice it as much but if the stations in your area are on the fringes it could cause you to lose them.


.

 

[mtnrider]

Anyone else lose stations when the headlights are on?

This is with or without factory antenna.
Headlights are LED or OEM.


Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

Yes that can happen, especially with LED's. They can create RF noise that will interfere with reception
.

 

[misfit77]

Yes that can happen, especially with LED's. They can create RF noise that will interfere with reception
.

I concur, but i find it odd when the OEM bulbs do it too.

 

[Mleads310]

Anyone have a shorty antenna that has lasted a few months of car washes? I don't care for am/fm reception, but I want something that looks more sleek and can take a beating in the car wash if needed.

 

[78Staff]

I've been using this one for over a year - no issues, but i mostly use Sat Radio. But i picks up everything in my local area without a hiccup...

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

 

[SitKneelBend]

Anyone else lose stations when the headlights are on?

This is with or without factory antenna.
Headlights are LED or OEM.


Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

This can happen with LED headlights that create EMI when operating. For me it's always been more pronounced from the foglights and different bulbs will produce different interference.

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[cimeelsekalb]

I bought this one on Amazon the day after I bought my brand new RAM and it’s works perfectly!!! Whether it be high up in mountains or down in the city or even out in the middle of no man’s land I’ve got a clear HD signal every single time!

I highly recommend this antenna!

The Original 6 3/4 Inch - Car Wash Proof Short EPDM Rubber Antenna - USA Stainless Steel Threading - Powerful Internal Copper Coil/Premium Reception https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VWS9V5S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_SHUAg5uhxlpRh

 

[PoMansRam]

Anyone else lose stations when the headlights are on?

This is with or without factory antenna.
Headlights are LED or OEM.


Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

Do you have aftermarket LEDs on your truck? That's a weird one for sure.

In regards to the shorty rubber/flexible antennas, I tried a cheap one off eBay on my 2017 Ram 1500. What a POS that thing was.