Antenna mythbusting

[rickinAZ]

I installed this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BDFQDVJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) and have a few comments.

There are two recuring concerns about antennas on this forum:

1. They break off in an automated carwash. My Jeep has been through countless times, incident-free, with the OEM cheapo as well as the new rubberized shorty.
2. Aftermarket shorty antennas have lousy reception. My shorty has lost no ability to pull in stations. Furthermore, my Jeep still gets great reception WITHOUT any antenna at all.

FWIW, I listen to FM exclusively.

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[Opus]

I haven't done a comparison, but I'm guessing if there is a difference in reception it's likely folks who live in more rural areas. I have the same antenna you linked to and agree it works fine for me in town.

 

[fat_head]

My OEM antenna got bent badly in a car wash. One of these days I'll replace it with another OEM antenna because I for one like the old school look.

 

[TylerV76]

I installed this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BDFQDVJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) and have a few comments.

There are two recuring concerns about antennas on this forum:

1. They break off in an automated carwash. My Jeep has been through countless times, incident-free, with the OEM cheapo as well as the new rubberized shorty.
2. Aftermarket shorty antennas have lousy reception. My shorty has lost no ability to pull in stations. Furthermore, my Jeep still gets great reception WITHOUT any antenna at all.

FWIW, I listen to FM exclusively.

1. Its not that they break, they get whipped and smack the windshield and a-pillar causing damage.

2. If you live in a city near the stations antennas you wont notice any signal loss. I however live 30-40 minutes from the stations and aftermarket antennas have lousy reception. I have the exact antenna you linked to on my Jeep right now.

 

[Reinen]

1. Aftermarket shorty antennas have lousy reception. My shorty has lost no ability to pull in stations. Furthermore, my Jeep still gets great reception WITHOUT any antenna at all.

The fact that you can get any reception without an antenna means you're really close to the broadcast tower and can get away with a stubby. But the stubby will lose reception much quicker the farther away from the broadcast tower you get. The way FM Radios work now you may just think "there are no stations around here". There are, you just can't receive them with your stubby.

 

[somedude922]

I would love to have my stock antenna back. Worst mod I made on my jeep was a stubby antenna. Gladly buy someones. Or trade my stubby.

 

[rdfact]

I was going to swap to a stubby antenna but the OEM one also serves as a feeler gauge for low garages, underground parking, and tree branches.

 

[Quinn99]

1. Its not that they break, they get whipped and smack the windshield and a-pillar causing damage.

2. If you live in a city near the stations antennas you wont notice any signal loss. I however live 30-40 minutes from the stations and aftermarket antennas have lousy reception. I have the exact antenna you linked to on my Jeep right now.

Yes and even if you are in a more populated area you can’t pick up low power stations like college radio or the ones broadcasting local ball games.

 

[BXFXJeep]

I was going to swap to a stubby antenna but the OEM one also serves as a feeler gauge for low garages, underground parking, and tree branches.

I think that's exactly why it's located where it is, and why it's that length.

 

[lowmpg]

Have that exact antenna and have never had one single issue.

 

[beaups]

I installed this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BDFQDVJ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) and have a few comments.

There are two recuring concerns about antennas on this forum:

1. They break off in an automated carwash. My Jeep has been through countless times, incident-free, with the OEM cheapo as well as the new rubberized shorty.
2. Aftermarket shorty antennas have lousy reception. My shorty has lost no ability to pull in stations. Furthermore, my Jeep still gets great reception WITHOUT any antenna at all.

FWIW, I listen to FM exclusively.

What exactly is being myth busted here? Because you don’t have these two issues they are myths?

 

[KrispyKotex]

I have owned the Rydonair and Antenna X. Both do not have the quality reception of the stock antenna. Antenna X reception is a lot worse that the Rydonair, and the Antenna X fell apart after 4-6 months. The Rydonair, although not a good as the stock, gets a lot better reception and has held together for >1 .5 year that I've had it. Also had it through several car washes with no issues. -hope this helps....no, I'm not a paid spokesperson...just happy with the Rydonair, and not at all with the Antenna X. Now, if I were going cross country, and only had FM, I'd just use my stock antenna.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

The short antennas absolutely lose reception. Significantly, no myth involved just the way radios signals work.

 

[TheBirdie72]

I put a short, little antenna on my Jeep, like about a 7 or 8 inch one. But, the only time in two years I tuned into anything AM/FM was when the wife and I went out at Christmas time to see one of those houses with the computerized lights that move to locally broadcasted music. We were at least 30 feet from the house that was broadcasting on FM, and it came in clear. So zero range or reception issues for me!

 

[YJdude]

Stubby antennas just plain suck.

Btw... I've noticed a couple comments over the past year by members claiming their OEM antenna has struck the body/windshield...I'm not buying it... How TF is that even possible?

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