My 1st MOD ! (stubby antenna)

[aquanta]

My Subaru Forester has one of those glass-imprinted antennas (no "magic wand" sticking out of the car") and I really like it because its so unobtrusive.

When everything is so small in the smart, that stock antenna somewhat ruins the aesthetics...

But, I'm curious about the reception on this stubby antenna. Do you find it to be at least as good as the original (which itself is nothing to write home about...)?

Thanks!

[smartHHO]

Originally Posted by aquanta

My Subaru Forester has one of those glass-imprinted antennas (no "magic wand" sticking out of the car") and I really like it because its so unobtrusive.

When everything is so small in the smart, that stock antenna somewhat ruins the aesthetics...

But, I'm curious about the reception on this stubby antenna. Do you find it to be at least as good as the original (which itself is nothing to write home about...)?

Thanks!

I am sure if it is made to the way antenna's work. It should work fine. For those that don't know how they work, it is a basic function of how long the wire is. For example, the wire is 3 feet long. It is coiled around another post until it reaches it end. So, on stubby, same thing, but it is coiled much tighter thus getting the same amount of length, but has a tighter coil. It should work fine and those that jumped quick, will be the wiser. When I Ordered mine, there was 6 avail. I see about 3 others ordered. So, my guess is they are all gone. Good luck if you got one. Shall post my sound/reception when I get it.

[Wdhitch]

Originally Posted by aquanta

My Subaru Forester has one of those glass-imprinted antennas (no "magic wand" sticking out of the car") and I really like it because its so unobtrusive.

When everything is so small in the smart, that stock antenna somewhat ruins the aesthetics...

But, I'm curious about the reception on this stubby antenna. Do you find it to be at least as good as the original (which itself is nothing to write home about...)?

Thanks!

I had a stubby antenna on my smart.... the reception was about half what I got with the stock antenna.

Here's the solution: Go to your Chrystler dealer and get an antenna from a 2007 Dodge Avenger. It's half the size of the stock antenna and has the same reception. And you can't beat the price at $6.99!!! The antenna is about 7 inches long and looks great!!!

[smartHHO]

Originally Posted by Wdhitch

I had a stubby antenna on my smart.... the reception was about half what I got with the stock antenna.

Here's the solution: Go to your Chrystler dealer and get an antenna from a 2007 Dodge Avenger. It's half the size of the stock antenna and has the same reception. And you can't beat the price at $6.99!!! The antenna is about 7 inches long and looks great!!!

But see, there goes the question, how was it made? If someone makes an antenna, and they don't use the basic wire principles. Then it won't work for crap. It is the same for RF. Weird crap it is. We had these cables and you could only get them in certain lengths. Was like 15, 25, and 32 or something. It was all do to the impeidence of the wire. If that is not right, then the other part of the equipment will not work right. Cheap ant = crap reception. hehe.

[Wdhitch]

Exactly.... the stubby antenna's are not the best manufacturing... I've had 2 on my smart so far... the avenger antenna has the added shielding and get's better reception than anything I've had on the car including the stock antenna... The price was just a nice bonus.

[smartHHO]

Originally Posted by Wdhitch

Exactly.... the stubby antenna's are not the best manufacturing... I've had 2 on my smart so far... the avenger antenna has the added shielding and get's better reception than anything I've had on the car including the stock antenna... The price was just a nice bonus.

Friend of mine had one on his car. It somehow got whacked. So the top was coming off and the wire was attached. So, being the electronic mad scientists with degrees. We tore it apart. And low and behold, it had a lot of wire packed in there. Was a good antenna even with the top hanging sort of. I think it is the fly by night companies no one has heard of you really have to watch. I am sure the guy selling these on ebay made sure it worked. I could not even imagine having to refund money on all the ones that would of sold. Hehe

[paroyboy]

My only complaint with the stock stereo (radio 10) is the reception. Stations that I never had a problem pulling in are crap in the smart. I may have to try the Avenger model.

[eskargo]

i ordered my stubby antenna b4 having my car. so that was my 1st mod as well. (that was almost 5 months ago).

keep us posted on your other mods.

[Cooper]

I ordered a small black telecoping antenna from Stubby Antenna. It adjusts from 4 inches to 11 inches. Site has 22 styles for the smart car. The reception is excellent. $12 with shipping.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by Wdhitch

Exactly.... the stubby antenna's are not the best manufacturing... I've had 2 on my smart so far... the avenger antenna has the added shielding and get's better reception than anything I've had on the car including the stock antenna... The price was just a nice bonus.

Well, since I WORK for a Chrysler/Jeep/DODGE dealer, guess I'll check that one out. Looks great and like you said, the price is a BONUS!