Noticed a number of stubbies are available, are they any different from one to another vendor?

Any loss of signal?

 

I had an Alta stubby antenna and had no problems with the signal. It was even broken off and I had no issues with the signal. I know thats extreme but from my experience you shouldnt have any issues. Good luck.

 

The stubbies will all reduce the FM signal that comes in thru the rooftop antenna - sorry folks, but physics cannot be denied.

There is no consensus as to whether that matters, as your location and choice of stations makes much more difference than the rooftop antenna.

Stubbies will receive fewer stations in fringe areas, and often give worse reception on those it does receive.

 

Been running a stubby for 5 years on my other car, no difference in signal between the old antenna and the new...swear on a stack.

 

I have to agree here. The antenna's do cause you to lose signal. I tried the 4" and 2". Living inbetween Milwaukee and Chicago, you can definitely see the loss in signal. Before I could pull radio stations from each city, and now they fade out and are weaker. I estimate it reduces your range by about 10 miles over the standard antenna.

 

I have 2" from craven speed. Looks good and I can hear no difference in reception even though I understand that physics do not lie. I have HD radio and everything sounds great with 2".

 

A difference, yes. Noticeable? Depends.. I notice that while driving through a shallow tunnel approx 75 yards long, a few local FM stations get some fuzz in the tunnel with the Craven 4 inch I have on now. The factory antenna didn't get fuzz in that tunnel on the same stations. I'm quite amazed just how well the stub does work though, and I tend not to listen to weak FM stations anyway regardless of my antenna. AM is pretty grainy in my area with both antennas due to transmitter locations/distances ( most AM is/are bay area stations like KGO ).

Long story made short, I think most people would be very happy with the performance of a 4" stub. I haven't tried the 2", can't comment.

Bill in P.G.

 

I have the 4" Craven also - and it works fine for my use.

 

What's FM? For years I've run a chopped-down OEM antenna. Just take a bandsaw to the mast at the top of the rubber section, it's fiberglass with a few strands of wire spiraling up it [in addition to the aero spiral wire]. Viola! You have a $0 shorty antenna.

Don't forget the car has a diversity antenna setup, meaning it has TWO antennas; one on the "hood", and one as part of the boot window.

 

I found a great antenna at Moss MINI. Some may like the Alta, if you're trying to have it disappear totally, but I think this one really looks great! It comes with a couple of different extensions (the black piece) to make it long or short, and two different screw threads.