Antenna Mod
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 594
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From: Houston/Lubbock
Antenna Mod I hate having a three foot antenna and would love to get a short, 12 inch, black antenna similar to the stock one, just shorter. Does anyone know where I can get one? Also anyone with pictures of one or something similar?
Originally Posted by Schwindj
I hate having a three foot antenna and would love to get a short, 12 inch, black antenna similar to the stock one, just shorter. Does anyone know where I can get one? Also anyone with pictures of one or something similar?
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
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From: Eastern MA
You can replace the mast with a power antenna. It wont be any shorter but you can control when it is raised and it will be down when the car is off.
Here is a write-up on that:
http://www.blackcamaro.com/antenna.htm
I remember reading a while back that some members cut their solid-mast antennas and covered the end with a small black cap.
I did a quick search and found some threads.
In this thread, n2oblkz talks about a short antenna he bought
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ht=cut+antenna
In this thread, jammon46 says he cut his antenna:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ht=cut+antenna
In this thread more people talk about cuttin the antenna:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ht=cut+antenna
If you do more searching (like I just did for this post), you'll find more info on power antenna and shorter antennas.
Here is a write-up on that:
http://www.blackcamaro.com/antenna.htm
I remember reading a while back that some members cut their solid-mast antennas and covered the end with a small black cap.
I did a quick search and found some threads.
In this thread, n2oblkz talks about a short antenna he bought
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ht=cut+antenna
In this thread, jammon46 says he cut his antenna:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ht=cut+antenna
In this thread more people talk about cuttin the antenna:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ht=cut+antenna
If you do more searching (like I just did for this post), you'll find more info on power antenna and shorter antennas.
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You can take your antenna and cut it in half, and then put a little rubber nub on it. As long as you make sure its EXACTLY half the original size. Car antennas are that length to match the wavelength (more specifically 1/2 of a wavelength) of the frequency of a radio station. If you cut it half, your antenna will match 1/4 of the wavelength of a radio wave. Shouldn't have a problem w/ radio reception either if you cut it correctly.
Originally Posted by FBDYLVR
You can take your antenna and cut it in half, and then put a little rubber nub on it. As long as you make sure its EXACTLY half the original size. Car antennas are that length to match the wavelength (more specifically 1/2 of a wavelength) of the frequency of a radio station. If you cut it half, your antenna will match 1/4 of the wavelength of a radio wave. Shouldn't have a problem w/ radio reception either if you cut it correctly.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 614
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From: Michigan (Holland/Grand Rapids)
Originally Posted by FBDYLVR
You can take your antenna and cut it in half, and then put a little rubber nub on it. As long as you make sure its EXACTLY half the original size. Car antennas are that length to match the wavelength (more specifically 1/2 of a wavelength) of the frequency of a radio station. If you cut it half, your antenna will match 1/4 of the wavelength of a radio wave. Shouldn't have a problem w/ radio reception either if you cut it correctly.
True concept but that would be for one specific frequency correct? I think most people listen to more than one station broadcasting on different frequencies so if you get close to half you should be fine. Personally mine is cut down way shorter than any pictured here and honestly my reception hasn't suffered from it. Go figure as the physics behind it state the reception should suck now.
Originally Posted by SS LS1
True concept but that would be for one specific frequency correct? I think most people listen to more than one station broadcasting on different frequencies so if you get close to half you should be fine. Personally mine is cut down way shorter than any pictured here and honestly my reception hasn't suffered from it. Go figure as the physics behind it state the reception should suck now.
What happens in essence is that when you cut your dipole antenna in half is yes it reduces it to a 1/4 lambda, but it uses the metal in your car to make an "image" of a 1/2 lambda dipole antenna. Still doesn't have as much gain as a full length antenna. But what do I care. My Stereo plays MP3's, I never listen to the radio.
Last edited by 02SS3098; Jun 13, 2005 at 05:38 PM.
