I was just thinking of all the different aftermarket antenna that are available, has anyone done much testing to see whether there is really any radio reception differences?

I suppose, this question could also apply to the various GPS antenna available as well as Satellite radio antenna.

I currently have the tiny Ultrik antenna but am wondering whether switching back to the stock antenna would improve performance on long highway trips.

 

I've tried stock, outmotoring, alta and Honda S2000 antennas.

I like the look of the Alta - that's my current "show" antenna.

But day-to-day I drive with the S2000 antenna - MUCH better FM reception than either of the stubby billet antennas I've used. And seems at least as good as stock IMHO...

 

There is a difference at the very edge of reception between the stock and shorty antenna's. The stock one has always gone farther than the others, but the S2000 was not very far behind.

 

If you live in a metropolitan area, the super stubby from Alta works just fine. I have gotten reception out of town, but don't listen much on the open road, so can't speak to that. I see no difference in town between stock and the two incher.

DD

 

Yeah - it's all about distance.

If you're "close" to the stations you listen to - no problemo with just about anything (there's a good chance that NO antenna would work...)

But in my case - FM stations I want to listen to are between 20 and 70 miles away - you need a GOOD FM antenna to pull those distant ones in with the HK headunit... my old long whip on my Chrysler pulled those in, no problem... but it's even iffy with the stock MINI antenna...

 

I think I'll switch back to the OEM one for our drive to the Dragon

 

Good call. And you can always put your "show" antenna back on when you get there, 'cause we ain't got none of them new-fangled FM stations withing lisnin distance of that thar Dragon, anyway.

I'd run the stock one, except they look silly on the Cabrio, IMHO.

 

They might look silly to you, but, I think a person could probably paint a UJ on it if they were so inclined.

 

Now a stock antenna with a UJ topper, THAT's OK...