Poll Question: How well do stubby antennas work on your Bronco?

[Moto26]

Antena science doesn't allow those stubby antennas to be nearly as effective as the stock one. It comes down to the frequency and amplitude of the signal.
The standard antenna is sized (2.5ft) to be roughly one-quarter the length of the radio waves in the FM band.
A shorter antenna is going to have lower gain without a signal amplifier.

I’ve heard this being said, and I really don’t know how all of this works, so I’m in no position to doubt it. However…

Our Bronco, with a 3” stubby antenna, gets better reception across the board than my F150 with its OEM antenna. When I tried the stubby on my truck, it was even worse. I could not any get any AM station at all, as opposed to just really buzzy and annoying reception with the OEM. (Both vehicles pull in FM just fine, regardless of which antenna is mounted). Is it possible that different the radios just vary in quality? And that maybe that’s more important than antenna length?

Another example: I have a cordless Ryobi shop radio (the little one about a foot tall) and it gets better reception than either of our vehicles, and it has almost no antenna at all. And I’ve had little hand-held portable radios that could pull in AM stations from 1000 miles away during parts of the day.

I feel like it’s not so much a matter of antenna length, but more about Ford’s crappy radios…

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[mike8675309]

I’ve heard this being said, and I really don’t know how all of this works, so I’m in no position to doubt it. However…

Our Bronco, with a 3” stubby antenna, gets better reception across the board than my F150 with its OEM antenna. When I tried the stubby on my truck, it was even worse. I could not any get any AM station at all, as opposed to just really buzzy and annoying reception with the OEM. (Both vehicles pull in FM just fine, regardless of which antenna is mounted). Is it possible that different the radios just vary in quality? And that maybe that’s more important than antenna length?

Another example: I have a cordless Ryobi shop radio (the little one about a foot tall) and it gets better reception than either of our vehicles, and it has almost no antenna at all. And I’ve had little hand-held portable radios that could pull in AM stations from 1000 miles away during parts of the day.

I feel like it’s not so much a matter of antenna length, but more about Ford’s crappy radios…

They fold the antenna in small devices to improve the gain. They also will increase the gain through signal amplification and noise reduction (it's all available in a single chip package) .

Your F150 probably has a problem with the antenna wire that runs from the antenna to the back of the audio system. Maybe it isn't fully seated. The dealer should take care of that.

 

[Ksjrb03]

There no need for a poll. There’s only one answer, they are worse than stock antenna for reception. It may or may not be an issue depending on signal where you live/drive.

 

[nickyp1020]

Sports radio addict.

valid

 

[nickyp1020]

Lots of us. No cable in my area, so my phone is my home Hotspot, not going to waste data something I can get for free.

unlimmited data? i feel like these days UNLIMMITED data is cheaper than having a limit and using it for a hotspot?

 

[DogHauler]

unlimmited data? i feel like these days UNLIMMITED data is cheaper than having a limit and using it for a hotspot?

Not offered yet in my area unfortunately.

 

[Mborkow31]

For those looking for a a compromise between the stubby and OEM antenna, give this a try. Not quite as good as the OEM but pretty close….and significantly better than the stubby.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VWS9V5S?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[JTr717]

I have the ronin antenna and the reception is worse then OEM
https://roninfactory.com/collections/antennas/products/short-antenna-ford-f150-ford-raptor

 

[tmarti13]

For those looking for a a compromise between the stubby and OEM antenna, give this a try. Not quite as good as the OEM but pretty close….and significantly better than the stubby.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VWS9V5S?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Thanks!! Ordered!

 

[Mborkow31]

Thanks!! Ordered!

No problem. Hopefully it works well for you too.

 

[BluebroncoNC]

Does the smaller stubbies effect XM reception? I live in the mountains so radio isn't really an option for me anyway. XM on the other hand is much much better as long as I have Line of Sight.

 

[Ground_zero298]

Does the smaller stubbies effect XM reception? I live in the mountains so radio isn't really an option for me anyway. XM on the other hand is much much better as long as I have Line of Sight.

Xm antenna is on the back of the roll cage on top of it. Nothing to do with the radio antenna.

 

[Ground_zero298]

I tried 2 shorties. Not nearly the range of the oem. Became apparent 25 miles from my house. So for the city they work like normal. If you’re in the country, mileage will vary. So may be best to carry both in the truck. The shorty to impress your friends and the oem to get the ball game out in the sticks.

 

[ldcobb2]

Anyone find a shorty that will allow the passenger side wiper blade to clear the antenna when lifting it to clean the windshield?

 

[VIRUS]

Anyone find a shorty that will allow the passenger side wiper blade to clear the antenna when lifting it to clean the windshield?

Someone should be demoted for that oversight!
I'm cleaning bugs off sometimes twice a day. Every time I lift the passenger blade I curse the person who approved that

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