Billet shorty antenna: is reception any different than stock antenna?

[firebird1999us]

I came across the 2" and 4" at micro image and was curious about reception - I usually listen to am stations from Ohio (I'm in Georgia) on my drive in at 3:00a and don't want to lose that. Can't stream off my phone due to the amount of dead spots for phone reception...

I usually catch Coast to Coast AM while on my way into Atlanta on WTAM 1100:thumbsup:

[tk-421]

I have a stubby antenna and like the looks a lot, but the reception does suffer a bit. I say give it a shot. You can always resell it here if you don't like it. :wink:

[bronsin]

I made an antenna out of a coat hanger for my sons 08 Yaris when it didn't come with one. Just had to buy the metric Philips screw that fit the thread to hold it in place.

Works great and cost 25 cents!

[Kar98]

The external antenna is for FM reception only so your AM reception won't be affected.

[tk-421]

Good point. I didn't notice that he was talking about AM.

[firebird1999us]

The external antenna is for FM reception only so your AM reception won't be affected.

Cool - any idea if there's some sort of booster for am reception I can install?

[Kar98]

Cool - any idea if there's some sort of booster for am reception I can install?

I don't think you can. The AM antenna is essentially a cylindrical magnet with wire wrapped around it, and is internal to modern (as in, post WW2-ish) car stereos. Nuttin' to plug in, nuttin' to loop through. Any "AM antenna booster" you might find for sale would be scam.

[cali yaris]

The Beatsonic sharkfin antenna (external) actually seems to boost FM reception. As mentioned, the stubby antennas are a downgrade for FM reception.

You can also stream just about any AM station from your phone into the car. Worth a try, sometimes cell reception is better than radio.