Gotta get rid of that R56 fishing rod antennae. I don't want to loose any reception ability. Which of the shorty antennae has the best reception? I know Moss has them and Alta has them.

 

We've got the Alta on our car, and it works great. A friend reports good results using a Honda S2000 antenna.

 

My understanding is that if it is an R56, then the S2000 won't work, because the fitment is a different size than on the R53.

 

As all antennae I've seen are hunks of metal, the key things to look for are:

1. A solid piece of metal. I had a cheapie that was hollow.
2. Is long. Ideally as long as the original or longer.

The truth is, you're going to lose reception the shorter you go. It's a fact of life. Considering FM only for this discussion, a 1/4-wave antenna is going to be about 32 inches long. (More or less...) So when you're down to 4" antennas, you're down to roughly a 1/32 wave antenna.

Granted, the internal wiring gives you some kind of antenna, and in fact I get relatively decent reception without the antenna, so I can go short.

Aside from solid construction, I don't think there's a magic bullet here, unless someone's marketing plastic-sheathed helical antennas, and I haven't seen any of those.

 

Anyone tried any of the short antennas on ebay? They look just like the $20 to $30 antenna sold by Mini vendors but they are less than $10. The reviews seem to be good too.

 

I have a stubby for my R56, which I got from Minspeed. I have noticed no difference in reception between it and the 3 foot long one that came on the car (other than it's even harder to find my car in a parking lot now). It was $28, which I don't consider a lot of money. I, however, am not a fan of e-bay purchasing.

 

i just installed the 2" shorty from Alta and it looks awesome and i haven't noticed any loss of reception. I'm really picky when it comes to things like this and Alta really came through on the quality.

 

I can't remember the last time I listened to the radio, so I bought an Alta 2" Super Shorty. Should look a million times better than stock. I have no idea how much reception I'll lose because 1) I don't listen to the radio (as stated previously) and 2) my car won't be here for quite some time. :(

 

Try www.carccessory.com they have a number of solid stubby antennas. I got a 3.5" for $8.99, looks just about like the Alta one, reception is great. I have a 2005 cabrio

 

I am looking for a really really short antenna that has crappy reception.

No really, sirius is the only thing i listen too anymore.

 

The super stubby is only 2 inches tall. The reception might be too good though .
http://cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=73

 

Been using the Alta Shorty and have not noticed any difference in reception. Went right in with no problems, ran it through the car-wash. No reception problems on either am or fm.

 

It has AM?

 

I got the Alta shorty, too...there is an R56 version and the reception is great.

 

Of course it is. After all, it's an Oregon product.

I have the four-inch Alta and the only problem I have is in trying to bring in an FM station from Eugene, which is 70 miles away. In my old Civic, reception died within the last half-mile before my home. Did the same with the stock Mini antenna.

With the shorter version, it gives out a little earlier. However, it pulls in local stations just fine.

 

Hey guys: I didn't notice and change in my reception with either the R53 or R56 with our antenna! Thanks for the biz and the kind words here!

Happy motoring!

NOTE: Be SURE to order the right one for the R56. The threads and base are TOTALLY different than the R53. Some retailers are simply suppling an adapter to change there R53 to R56. While I can understand that, the base just looks dorky with the R53 style. Just my two cents!

 

I got a 3" stubby antenna for my wifes 05 MCSa from Minimania. The reception is good except at very, very long distances. There is a FM station about 125 miles away that we could intermittently bring in with the stock antenna, it doesn't come in with the stubby one but we are pushing the distance boundary anyway. When we get about 10-15 miles closer the reception is as good as it was with the stock antenna.

 

R56 Alta 4", reception is great. Looks 100% better than the rc whip.

 

[quote=Kellen;1593799]

I have the stubby from Craven Speed and it's awesome! There is no reception loss at all and they shipped quickly!

 

I have a Craven Speed Stubby and the reception is awesome!

 

My vote's for the ALTA, as well. Picked it up at the Dragon, and love it.
jason

 

Some are exactly the same, but not all MINI accessory vendors buy from the same suppliers. I had one of the eBay ones, it worked fine, but I didn't like the look. The base of the antenna was too small to look right.

After waffling, I decided on a Craven Speed super stubby. Reception does suffer on AM near power lines, the same places that were staticky with the stock antenna and more staticky with the 4" antenna are really noisy with the super stubby. But I figured I got decent reception here with no antenna, so I got it.

My wife's car has the OutMotoring stubby, and it works fine too. I was going to get one too, but I decided to be different.

 

Thanks everyone. Its looks like Craven and Minspeed are the same as well as ones sold by others. I think I'll save the cash and go with the best price.

Really appreciate all your feedback and advice.

 

I've seen several stubby antenna's with a notation indicating they aren't for vehicles with the NAV system. Does anyone know of one that does work with a NAV system or does it even matter that I have the NAV system as it's antenna is part of the antenna fin?

 

It doesn't matter. I have a four-inch antenna from Alta up in Beaverton -- support your local Oregon businesses -- and it had no effect on the navigation system. That antenna is in the fin.