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Antenna syndrome

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  #1  
Old 07-29-2007, 06:36 PM
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Default Antenna syndrome

I noticed people make fun of others with the large antennas.
I too fall into the large antenna group.

I was wondering if it was advisable just to cut it off?
I've read people buying 6 inch antennas. Can I just cut it off so there is
about 6 inches remaining? Or will this ruin it and make it non functional?
 
  #2  
Old 07-29-2007, 06:46 PM
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You can buy em shorter. I have an 8 inch one but I lost some reception. Go with the 14" one. they are pretty cheap too.
 
  #3  
Old 07-29-2007, 06:55 PM
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Sure, you can cut it. It is just a peice of metal, but the shorter it goes, so does your reception. I have an 8" and yes, the reception suffers. But, I use XM anyway.
 
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Old 07-29-2007, 07:28 PM
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Someone else just asked about this in general tech. I've got an 8 inch and have not noticed any reception loss. AM told me that if you live close to a major city you'll be fine otherwise get the 14 inch.

You can cut your stock to see if it works if it doesn't spend the $20 and get one from AM.
 
  #5  
Old 07-29-2007, 09:12 PM
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i actually got better reception w/mine compared to the stock one. i think i've got the 8" one. idk what was up w/the stock one but the reception was crappy. and ditto on the xm thing.
 
  #6  
Old 07-29-2007, 10:22 PM
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Thanks for your suggestions... I think I will cut it down to 8 inches.
It does look dorky being like 6 feet tall
 
  #7  
Old 07-30-2007, 06:32 PM
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see how it looks with the height at the roof line, thats what i did and it came out great.
 
  #8  
Old 07-30-2007, 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by 03DSG
see how it looks with the height at the roof line, thats what i did and it came out great.
It's funny you said that cause I was thinking the same thing the other day when I was looking at it. I will try that, cause that way I can hopefully have better looks without having to compromise the reception.

How is your reception after doing that? Could you tell any difference?
 
  #9  
Old 07-30-2007, 07:14 PM
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well thats hard to say, i live in metro Detroit so the signal is always strong. But i've never had a problem with reception.
 
  #10  
Old 07-31-2007, 02:00 AM
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Yeah I live in the California Bay Area, so I doubt I would have a problem.
Besides I typically listen to CDs anyway.

I noticed you have the sequential tailight mod... Did you do that yourself?
I would like to add that to my list of mods, as I think they look awsome.
 
  #11  
Old 07-31-2007, 03:09 AM
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Short ones look good,but don't pick up for ****.
 
  #12  
Old 07-31-2007, 04:53 AM
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[QUOTE=I noticed you have the sequential tailight mod... Did you do that yourself?
I would like to add that to my list of mods, as I think they look awsome.[/QUOTE]

actually my GF got me those for x-mas last year. They are from web electric products. I recommend this brand because they are put together very well and looked like they paid attention to detail when they built them.
 
  #13  
Old 07-31-2007, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by 03DSG
actually my GF got me those for x-mas last year. They are from web electric products. I recommend this brand because they are put together very well and looked like they paid attention to detail when they built them.
So you wired them up yourself? How long did it take?
 
  #14  
Old 07-31-2007, 05:53 PM
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i didn't "wire" them up. they come as an assembled unit, you only have to install them. unplug the old harness, plug in the new harness. It took about 1 hour mostly because getting the tail light housing off is a PITA.
 
  #15  
Old 07-31-2007, 10:53 PM
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Originally Posted by 03DSG
i didn't "wire" them up. they come as an assembled unit, you only have to install them. unplug the old harness, plug in the new harness. It took about 1 hour mostly because getting the tail light housing off is a PITA.
That sounds like a great setup. The ones I seen online were a kit with like some relays that you had to cut your existing wires and splice into them to make it work. I seen a video of someone that did. When they were done it converted the brakes turn signals and hazzards all to sequencial.
 
  #16  
Old 07-31-2007, 11:06 PM
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I got a shorty antennae from MT when it was MT.. LOL. Picks up good for local stations but that aint saying much. Stations here suck for the most part. Music is ok but long winded ads and junk. I got just about every song I want on CD so that 6 changer comes in handy. I may listen to a Nascar race when I have to work weekends. Mostly I just listen to my Flowmasters, on my 4 mile trip to work and back home.. LOL. Married Man...
 
  #17  
Old 08-03-2007, 08:42 AM
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I just took mine off and my reception didn't change a bit lol.

But then again I listen to cd's... That might be the culprit

-B
 
  #18  
Old 08-03-2007, 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by rebelyell
I got a shorty antennae from MT when it was MT.. LOL. Picks up good for local stations but that aint saying much. Stations here suck for the most part. Music is ok but long winded ads and junk. I got just about every song I want on CD so that 6 changer comes in handy. I may listen to a Nascar race when I have to work weekends. Mostly I just listen to my Flowmasters, on my 4 mile trip to work and back home.. LOL. Married Man...
LOL... since I got my new macs on I never listen to the radio. hehe... When I do I use my mp3 player through an iRiver fm transmitter.
 
  #19  
Old 08-06-2007, 04:28 PM
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Haha mine is bigger than yours!





Dude
 
  #20  
Old 08-07-2007, 03:50 PM
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Just wanted you guys to know after reading this last week. I cut my antenna down to 20in, even with top of my mustang and painted it black. It looks great! This is a great forum to share ideas to improve our rides!!! Thanks again!!
 
  #21  
Old 08-08-2007, 05:56 AM
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Originally Posted by nyheyman
Just wanted you guys to know after reading this last week. I cut my antenna down to 20in, even with top of my mustang and painted it black. It looks great! This is a great forum to share ideas to improve our rides!!! Thanks again!!
awesome! I did the same thing to mine a while back. I think I cut mine down to 14 inches. Using nothing but a hacksaw and a dremel tool and about 10 minutes I saved 20 bucks.
 
  #22  
Old 08-08-2007, 07:18 AM
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I have full one on my 87. No reception whatsoever except strong channels.

Little off topic kinda but I was told that the reason for bad reception is a bad ground. How is an antenna grounded????
 
  #23  
Old 08-13-2007, 12:35 PM
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After careful and precise cutting, I am now the proud owner of an 18 inch
custom made antenna.
 
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