Appearance: Make a shorty antenna
07-15-2007, 09:48 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-16-07
Location: Marion,Ohio
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Make a shorty antenna
Why pay $20 for an antenna when you can cut yours down to size?
1:Remove antenna from car.
2:Wrap antenna with electricle tape just below were you want to cut.(This helps keep the small wire attached)
3:Cut antenna flush with top of tape with a cut off wheel. A hacksaw should also work.
4:Use 1/8" rubber vacuum cap ($1.49 for 5 at AutoZone) as a tip. Twist cap as you push it on antenna. (this will push the tape down)
5:Remove tape.
6:Reinstall.
7:ENJOY your shorty.
1:Remove antenna from car.
2:Wrap antenna with electricle tape just below were you want to cut.(This helps keep the small wire attached)
3:Cut antenna flush with top of tape with a cut off wheel. A hacksaw should also work.
4:Use 1/8" rubber vacuum cap ($1.49 for 5 at AutoZone) as a tip. Twist cap as you push it on antenna. (this will push the tape down)
5:Remove tape.
6:Reinstall.
7:ENJOY your shorty.
Last edited by TommyP; 05-17-2012 at 09:03 PM.
07-26-2007, 02:29 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-08-06
Location: Duncannon, PA
Posts: 1,918
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I did the exact thing. I cut mine where I wanted it, grounded off the end a little bit to put the ball back on, got some black touch up paint for the tip and it looks perfect.
07-26-2007, 02:33 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-08-06
Location: Duncannon, PA
Posts: 1,918
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think I made mine 13ish inches. I don't have a close up but you can get the idea here. I can take a close up whenever I get around with it. I think it looks much better than buying one honestly. I like how the small wire wraps around it. It is much stiffer now too since it is shorter.
07-26-2007, 04:46 PM
#10
Senior Member
Depends on the area. In RI i like listening to a Boston station so i go in and out, but at 14" the local stations come in perfect. when I go home to NY I get every channel perfect
Last edited by OrngBalt; 07-26-2007 at 04:46 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
07-26-2007, 05:01 PM
#12
Senior Member
I actually used a dab of liquid nails clear silicon sealant to connect the two (same thing i used to reseal my headlights) and it has held through 3 or 4 nasty thunderstorms, crazy winds and two carwashes.
07-26-2007, 06:06 PM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 06-16-07
Location: Marion,Ohio
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do not know how to post pics. but I cut mine to 8.5" I pick up FM from about 60 miles away but I do got static sometimes. My wife has a Jeep Liberty. I cut hers to 11.5" and she has good reception.
07-26-2007, 09:59 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-08-06
Location: Duncannon, PA
Posts: 1,918
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have sirius so i use the fm transmitter so I don't even need the antenna at all. I really don't think it would effect my local fm radio channels but I never use them so sorry I really can't help you guys much. I seriously think it looks 100% better and it honestly took, maybe 10 minutes. Saw zaw baby. 
07-26-2007, 10:04 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: 09-29-05
Location: Goodfellow AFB, TX
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just took my whole antenna off and put a 1/4 vaccum lug over the threaded mount, looks sweet, and I hate the radio anyhow, to many commercials, although in Va, reception was of course, a problem, but in Kansas, I pick up the stations just fine.
07-31-2007, 09:12 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-07-06
Location: Texas
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i just did the same thing. it looks great now. no big ass antenna in the way.
08-01-2007, 12:48 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-15-06
Location: .
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Step1 - Bolt cutters
Step2 - Vaccum Cap
Step3 - Open Beer of choice.
Step4 - Pretend you're a conductor with left over antenna part
Step5 - Whip unruly children about the neighborhood with above antenna part.
Step6 - Discard evidence
Step2 - Vaccum Cap
Step3 - Open Beer of choice.
Step4 - Pretend you're a conductor with left over antenna part
Step5 - Whip unruly children about the neighborhood with above antenna part.
Step6 - Discard evidence
08-01-2007, 01:32 PM
#23
Member
Join Date: 07-28-07
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lmao, Definitely my plans for the afternoon
