Stubby Antenna

[NYCruiser]

So I ordered the Stubby Antenna from Craven Speed. Hate it. Looks cool, but reception is terrible, even just a couple miles outside of Manhattan, NY. I know it will be even worse when I drive upstate to more rural areas.

I listen to Sirius mostly, but still can't see having an antenna on the truck that just doesn't work. It was a waste of $25 with shipping.

So, I ordered one of these today:
Black Billet 7" inch Antenna 1994 thru 2014 Dodge RAM 1500 | eBay

At 7 inches it will still be cooler than the stock 31 inch tree-smacker, and hopefully it will be long enough to actually listen to a radio station.

 

[Danimal77]

Cool, keep us posted on how it works for you.

 

[argray90]

Interested as I have the stubby antenna also and never listen to FM because of the reception.

 

[mjd91]

Yep. Stubby sucks for reception.

 

[WudzRydr]

I snipped mine in half and reattached the ball. No loss in reception for any station that I listen to. Haven't gotten around to painting it black though.

 

[Sparkyy]

I got a short antenna from Pep boys, does a pretty descent job until I get down to Central Jersey and just goes to hell but didn't notice to much difference from that tree whacker that came stock.

Let us know how the ebay one works.

 

[SafetyMan43]

I dipped my stock antenna black, so it doesn't look as bad as it did silver, son't notice it as much.

 

[Vancouver604]

About all I listen to on AM/FM is hockey and the news so reception doesn't affect me. Normally its my iPhone playlists though.

 

[Cruizer]

I picked one about around that length at Advanced. I can only tell a difference in reception up at work, an hour away (over 40 miles) from the radio stations around here.

 

[outlaw52]

I snipped mine in half and reattached the ball. No loss in reception for any station that I listen to. Haven't gotten around to painting it black though.

+1 plasti dip it.

 

[Informal]

I snipped mine in half and reattached the ball. No loss in reception for any station that I listen to. Haven't gotten around to painting it black though.

Did the same, and plasti-coated it.

Works... well, about as crappy as it did when it was whole.

 

[NYCruiser]

Finally received my 7 inch antenna to replace the Stubby. Doesn't get perfect reception always, but overall much happier. I'm not in a rural area, so it is definitely a lot more functional than the Stubby. That was like having no antenna. At least I can listen to the radio if I want now.

 

[WhiteExpress]

Awe that's cute! I wish there was an AM/FM delete option so they wouldn't put an antenna on these trucks.

 

[Cruizer]

Awe that's cute! I wish there was an AM/FM delete option so they wouldn't put an antenna on these trucks.

Why are we still using these long, ugly metal antennas? I see sporty cars with antennas similar to what our satellite antenna looks like. I'd rather have another one of those on the roof.

 

[Vapiper]

Why are we still using these long, ugly metal antennas? I see sporty cars with antennas similar to what our satellite antenna looks like. I'd rather have another one of those on the roof.

A lot of cars have been using the window "hidden" antenna which are great......but as with everything the "better" upgrade it is the more $$ it will cost.....my last truck I removed the antenna all together as I only listen to sat radio or iPhone.....

 

[NYCruiser]

Anyone ever seen a power antenna fitted to a Ram?

 

[mjd91]

I've seen hidden antennas before. You plug it in in place of the stock antenna and it stays under the dash.

You'd have to get the hole filled in the fender but it would look clean!

 

[DannyMK2]

Anyone ever seen a power antenna fitted to a Ram?

theres no good/easy way of mounting it inside the fender. you would be better off with a windshield antenna instead. plus theres a good reason cars dont come with power antennas anymore, they stink!

 

[NYCruiser]

So, quick update.

Antenna looks great and works well enough for sure.

Only problem is I am hearing a wind whistling noise at 70mph that I'm pretty sure wasn't there before. I just googled it and found some people complaining about the same thing in this type antenna. I'm going to have to remove it and check if the noise goes away to be sure.

Upside is that I really can't hear the noise when the radio is on.

 

[Happ!]

So does cutting the stock antenna mess up the fm stations? In colorado mountain areas fyi...