Focus Fanatics Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

tell me about shorty antenna reception.......

Jump to Latest
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
#2 ·
Short answer: Yes it does, because the length of an antenna is tuned to the wavelength of radio. How much it impacts is based on distance.

Long answer: Depends on where you live. My GF has one, and out here in the sticks, it sucks. But if you are in a major metro area, like LI, it should have a minimal impact. I'd like to hear what someone in a city has to say.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#4 ·
In the city, reception is the same with stations that came in good with a full sized antenna, but one's that sucked before, suck even more now. If you don't get 100% reception where you live, I wouldn't recommend it.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#6 ·
As an alternative, you could shorten your antenna and then wire in an fm reception booster behind your sound system. Just a thought. I cut mine down by 5" which didn't make a difference for me since I'm metro. Looks a lot better plus it doesn't bang the roof of the car when I go through carwashes.
 
#7 ·
What everyone else said. Strong stations are fine, weaker stations get weaker with a shorty. It's worth it. That's why I have a cd player. :)
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#9 ·
Heh yeah, there's nothing worth listening to on the radio in my area. All the great rock/alternative stations are dead or dying in the Philadelphia region. All of them are now morning shows and talk stations throughout the daytime. But I understand wanting to listen to the radio once in while.

Anyway, I don't understand the whole shorty antenna craze. I love the stock length of the Focus antenna, and watching it wave around in the wind through my sunroof :) . But even the stock antenna length doesn't have great reception. So if you're really into that sorta thing, I say go for it.
 
#10 ·
I have one and there isn't much of an impact. You will hear a little radio fuzz more often, especially going under overpasses, power lines, etc. but it's not like you will lose all but a little of your reception.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#11 ·
Egz said:
Short answer: Yes it does, because the length of an antenna is tuned to the wavelength of radio. How much it impacts is based on distance.

Long answer: Depends on where you live. My GF has one, and out here in the sticks, it sucks. But if you are in a major metro area, like LI, it should have a minimal impact. I'd like to hear what someone in a city has to say.
Click to expand...

I agree with that ^^ around town its fine, but out on the highway it sucked. I liked the way mine looked, but got rid of it due to the reception. I have friends with satelite radio and they don't care so they kept theirs.
 
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
About this Discussion
12 Replies
12 Participants
Last post:
ktwelsch
Focus Fanatics Forum
posts
5.8M
members
203K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to Ford Focus owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about SVT performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Technical Chat Ford Focus Builds & General Showroom MK3 Focus SVT Performance (2002-2004) MK1 Focus