short vs. stock antennae

mustangdave · Oct 15, 2008

My '08 picks up twice as many stations as any hi-end head unit I've ever had in this area, which leads me to believe that no matter how good your tuner is, the antennae is critical. So, how do the "shorty" antennaes they sell for this car stack up?
Did you pick up more stations with the stock one?
Did u notice more stations with this car like I did?

I actually found a station I had never heard that is now my fave so I don't want to lose it. I listen to mp3's and cd's alot too, but I like the surprise of the radio playlist also.

whyask · Oct 15, 2008

I have a shortie and I really didnt notice a differnce between the stocker and the new one ! Im always using my iPOD it was really just the look I went for .

gashog · Oct 15, 2008

I have a shorty on my car and the range is noticeably reduced, I probably have less than half the range that I did before. Just my personal experience.

Power4 · Oct 15, 2008

I have a shorty antenna as well however I don't listen to the radio a lot so I can't for sure tell you if range was reduced for me. You could always just buy one and try it out and if you don't like it put the longer antenna back on. Mine was only like $15 shipped.

FordTaurusSHO94 · Oct 15, 2008

I shortened my stock one and didn't notice a difference.

NastyStang113 · Oct 15, 2008

FordTaurusSHO94 said:
I shortened my stock one and didn't notice a difference.

+1

STANGmole · Oct 15, 2008

I bought the longer of the two shorty antennas (14" instead of the 8") and notice no difference in FM reception but a huge difference in appearance.

I thought about shortening the existing antenna but I hate the look of it (even if it was shorter).

Keep in mind that the biggest impact on reception might occur if you live outside a large metro area (which I don't) and that I mostly listen to a combination of CD and satellite radio (very little FM listening).

dc06gt · Oct 15, 2008

I've got the 8" on mine and look wise you can't beat how the shortys. as for reception I wouldn't know I have yet to listen to am or fm radio in my car and I've had it for over a year

kooldawg6 · Oct 16, 2008

I have the 8" antenna and lost a lot of reception range, but I listen to mostly sat radio and cds anyhow. I mainly wanted the look

metroplex · Oct 16, 2008

Ford should have gone with the in-glass antenna. They went with the whip for cost reduction and 'nostalgia', the same explanation they gave for LED tail lights, hood struts, and the independent rear suspension.

mustangdave · Oct 16, 2008

Thx. for the replies; looks like the shorty is a no-go since I want to keep my range.

NastyStang113 · Oct 16, 2008

metroplex said:
Ford should have gone with the in-glass antenna. They went with the whip for cost reduction and 'nostalgia', the same explanation they gave for LED tail lights, hood struts, and the independent rear suspension.

I agree. However, I wouldn't war IRS or hood struts.

walter · Oct 16, 2008

Hood struts you can keep but I'd definitely would love to have an IRS setup

Art161 · Oct 16, 2008

metroplex said:
Ford should have gone with the in-glass antenna. They went with the whip for cost reduction and 'nostalgia', the same explanation they gave for LED tail lights, hood struts, and the independent rear suspension.

What would have been really slick is if they had gone for an in-glass antenna for function and had the whip antenna as non-functional for nostalgia. Then you could stick with the stock whip antenna, go for a shorty, or remove the whip antenna entirely and still have the functional in-glass antenna.

NastyStang113 · Oct 16, 2008

Art161 said:
What would have been really slick is if they had gone for an in-glass antenna for function and had the whip antenna as non-functional for nostalgia. Then you could stick with the stock whip antenna, go for a shorty, or remove the whip antenna entirely and still have the functional in-glass antenna.

And than you'd still have that big ugly plastic crap on your fender. The whole point is to make it smooth and clean.

Radman · Oct 16, 2008

Next thing ya know we will be discussing HP gains of the shorty vs. OEM!!

STANGmole · Oct 16, 2008

NastyStang113 said:
And than you'd still have that big ugly plastic crap on your fender. The whole point is to make it smooth and clean.

FWIW I like the antenna (now that it's a shorty) better than the turd I have sitting on my trunk lid that's pretending to be a satellite antenna My SIRIUS gets terrible reception.

I wouldn't write off the shorty antenna mustangdave unless you absolutely have to get the shortest (8") one...like I said, the 14" seems to get fine reception and looks much better than the stock one (it's STILL half the length of the factory one!).

tr7driver · Oct 17, 2008

Twin swept back antennas on the trunk deck

For the retro look, how about twin swept back antennas on each side of the trunk lid? Or it that too '57 50's ish....

Art161 · Oct 17, 2008

NastyStang113 said:
And than you'd still have that big ugly plastic crap on your fender. The whole point is to make it smooth and clean.

If the antenna were nonfunctional they could design it so you could remove the whole assembly. They could give you a body colored plug to put in its place. Not quite as slick as no antenna at all, but it could look pretty decent.

DarkFireGT · Oct 17, 2008

I have an 8" antenna on both of ours. What I've noticed is that if you get good reception, you don't seem to lose it. I can still travel 40 miles away and get my stations that I get well in town. But there's a few stations that are weak. And with the shorty, they are noticeably weaker. But the look is more than worth it, especially since I listen to my iPhone most of the time. I would say that if you're worried, get the 14". It's a good compromise.

short vs. stock antennae

My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.

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mine works really well and can take a fair amount

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My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.

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Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.

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