Short stubby antennas

[Whitty1]

I wonder if those that have tried that nubby radio antenna on Amazon has noticed any difference in reception

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[RideSolo]

I have wondered the same thing myself. It sorta' seems inevitable, but many of those owners may live in urban areas that have lots of choice in radio stations. Out here in the corn and soy bean fields one needs decent radio reception if one doesn't want to listen to "Local Yokel Radio" as a steady diet.

 

[Toddman45]

I had the craven speed stubby for about 3 days on my 2012 F-150. I listen to AM and FM frequently and it reduced reception by 80%. If you listen to AM or FM it's useless, if you don't it's worth it.

I live 30 mi from the city but I travel to the city everyday for work and it didn't matter if I was right near the radio stations you could hardly pick them up with the stubby.

 

[MetalThunder]

If your living or traveling in a Rural area or plan on road trips at all - forget about the stubby
Looks don't trump function - I fell for the initial hype lol I now have a telescopic mast style
Cheers

 

[SP1966]

I have it, but I have yet to take a road trip in the Mav, and even if I did 99% of the time I'm streaming, and the other 1% I'm enjoying relative silence. It looks better though! LOL

 

[Kenv24]

I also have the Cravenspeed Stubby and it works just fine. Plus...the stereo is not that great to begin with in the 2024 XLT. Some are saying it's improved in the 2025....maybe just the Lariat. 50% of the time I'm listening to my USB connected phone music anyway. It could be a "tad" longer and still look good....without being as tall as the stock "outrigger" LOL

 

[Whitty1]

I have it, but I have yet to take a road trip in the Mav, and even if I did 99% of the time I'm streaming, and the other 1% I'm enjoying relative silence. It looks better though! LOL

I stream most of my music from Pandora but that won’t work without cell reception. I would think satellite radio would be worth having if you travel a lot

 

[bgn]

It was significantly worse for HD radio on the Lariat. Got rid of mine.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Form over function.

 

[Whitty1]

Form over function.

seems to be a unanimous verdict

 

[710-oil-614]

Just from dealing with various whip antennas and GRMS and FRS handhelds - it’s going to have an impact - and others above me have testified to that

 

[Cherokee]

The stock antenna and radio are a tuned system. Shorten it by 75% and drop 75% of your receiver’s sensitivity.
It’s that simple,
Of course if your favorite channel is local and powerful you’ll be ok.

 

[SP1966]

I stream most of my music from Pandora but that won’t work without cell reception. I would think satellite radio would be worth having if you travel a lot

I use Amazon Music and have quite a bit on my phone, along with downloaded podcast episodes. Radio, much like Cable television is a dying medium.

 

[Whitty1]

I use Amazon Music and have quite a bit on my phone, along with downloaded podcast episodes. Radio, much like Cable television is a dying medium.

AM radio can be handy in an emergency.

 

[710-oil-614]

The stock antenna and radio are a tuned system. Shorten it by 75% and loose 75% of your receiver’s sensitivity.
It’s that simple,
Of course if your favorite channel is local and powerful you’ll be ok.

I wouldn’t say it is linear but certainly the most important length of an antenna is at the base.

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