Stubby antenna

Parrotguy · 05-31-2010, 07:08 PM

I want to replace the 11" antenna on my '10 roadster with a shorter one, and am concerned about reception quality if I go all the way down to the 3". One poster said the reception seemed the same, but that he had also ordered a longer one. I plan on using it with the XM radio. The Honda S2000 7" antenna is a close fit, and I was wondering if the 7" choice would deliver better sat reception. What do you guys think?

AK370Z · 05-31-2010, 07:15 PM

I don't see why you should have any reception problem. Here's another Roadster owner did the same mod : new antenna for roadster pics

Zsteve · 05-31-2010, 07:32 PM

I thought size mattered in reception of it.

fullmonty · 05-31-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zsteve

I thought size mattered in reception of it.

I hear size doesn't matter

Zsteve · 05-31-2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonty

I hear size doesn't matter

So if we takes Princes take on this according to his Little Red Corvette song, its the same car but one has a bigger antenna than the other, which one does the girl drive?

RandyJamesA · 06-01-2010, 09:52 AM

Speaking as a former Submarine Radioman, meaning my knowledge is dated, basic, but still useful, size matters, but not much in this case. A radio receiver can only work with the RF energy that it gets from the atmosphere kind of like a telescope can only amplify the light that hits it. A shorter antenna will be hit by less energy. Also, certain antenna lengths work better for certain frequencies because of compatability between the wavelength and antenna length. However, antennas can be electrically tuned using an inductor to make them act like a longer antenna. All this being said, the ability of modern radios to differentiate a signal from background noise and amplify it is pretty darn good compared to the past. Also, we are pretty well saturated with signals anyway. With small changes to your system, you will see the most effect at the margins of performance. When you are cruising the boondocks with weak signals or in a dead zone between the mountains, you might lose a station a few seconds sooner. Of course, you'll see the most effect on AM. (Who cares?) FM will probably have such slight effect that most normal people won't notice. As for XM, there probably won't be any difference because of the higher frequency. Good luck.

John Bradley · 06-01-2010, 11:49 AM

3" works fine... (antenna only)
Thats my roadster pic and I have never had a problem.. Looks MUCH better too

toxik · 06-01-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonty

I hear size doesn't matter

every thread on this forum turns into a sex joke

370zFORme!! · 06-01-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonty

I hear size doesn't matter

Only guys with a small @$!& say that.

dalparadise · 06-02-2010, 01:05 AM

The antenna portion that you replace is an AM/FM antenna. The XM one is in the bulge it mounts on top of. In any case, my FM reception seems the same -- which is to say that it works fine. Not sure about AM, as I didn't check it before installing the new antenna and haven't checked it since. I really only listen to XM anyway.

The Vision carbon fiber antenna works great for me.

runaround · 06-05-2010, 04:14 PM

So on my roadster, I only listen to satellite radio. I had to unscrew and remove the AM/FM antenna to put my car cover on before I went on vacation. When I came back home, I was in a hurry to uncover the car and get going, so I didn't reattach the antenna. Much to my pleasant surprise, the nav and satellite radio worked fine. So I've kept the whip part of the antenna off. I can actually still pick up a few local FM radio stations too.

Not sure how good this is for the system, but I really like the look of having no antenna at all. If I do have any issues, I have the antenna in my truck, so I can reattach whenever.

Zsteve · 06-05-2010, 04:44 PM

Size matters.

getting this thread back on track after it got derailed by talking about antennas.

Vegitto-kun · 06-05-2010, 06:06 PM

I always wondered why the roadster has a antenna

PapoZalsa · 06-05-2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullmonty

I hear size doesn't matter

Size matter, but not in that case.

js1 · 07-05-2010, 12:41 AM

does anyone know how the entire antenna is on the roadster trunk? can the entire antenna be taken off the trunk?

05-31-2010, 07:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Parrotguy Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 51 Drives: '10 Roadster Touring Rep Power: 16	Stubby antenna I want to replace the 11" antenna on my '10 roadster with a shorter one, and am concerned about reception quality if I go all the way down to the 3". One poster said the reception seemed the same, but that he had also ordered a longer one. I plan on using it with the XM radio. The Honda S2000 7" antenna is a close fit, and I was wondering if the 7" choice would deliver better sat reception. What do you guys think?

05-31-2010, 07:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	I don't see why you should have any reception problem. Here's another Roadster owner did the same mod : new antenna for roadster pics __________________ The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q. Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3 Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

05-31-2010, 07:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 3,298 Drives: the 2 balled club Rep Power: 22	I thought size mattered in reception of it. __________________ 2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

06-02-2010, 01:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
dalparadise The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 354 Drives: 2010 Z Roadster T/S Rep Power: 16	The antenna portion that you replace is an AM/FM antenna. The XM one is in the bulge it mounts on top of. In any case, my FM reception seems the same -- which is to say that it works fine. Not sure about AM, as I didn't check it before installing the new antenna and haven't checked it since. I really only listen to XM anyway. The Vision carbon fiber antenna works great for me. __________________ 2010 Platinum Graphite Roadster - Tour/Sport/6MT/GReddy SE catback/B&M short shift If the top is up, it must be parked.

06-05-2010, 04:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: TX Posts: 3,298 Drives: the 2 balled club Rep Power: 22	Size matters. getting this thread back on track after it got derailed by talking about antennas. frozenwaffles likes this. __________________ 2010 LS3 C6 Silver coupe corvette

06-01-2010, 09:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
RandyJamesA Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Nowhere, USA Posts: 39 Drives: Z Rep Power: 15	Speaking as a former Submarine Radioman, meaning my knowledge is dated, basic, but still useful, size matters, but not much in this case. A radio receiver can only work with the RF energy that it gets from the atmosphere kind of like a telescope can only amplify the light that hits it. A shorter antenna will be hit by less energy. Also, certain antenna lengths work better for certain frequencies because of compatability between the wavelength and antenna length. However, antennas can be electrically tuned using an inductor to make them act like a longer antenna. All this being said, the ability of modern radios to differentiate a signal from background noise and amplify it is pretty darn good compared to the past. Also, we are pretty well saturated with signals anyway. With small changes to your system, you will see the most effect at the margins of performance. When you are cruising the boondocks with weak signals or in a dead zone between the mountains, you might lose a station a few seconds sooner. Of course, you'll see the most effect on AM. (Who cares?) FM will probably have such slight effect that most normal people won't notice. As for XM, there probably won't be any difference because of the higher frequency. Good luck.

06-01-2010, 11:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
John Bradley Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 419 Drives: 2010 Silver RDZTER Rep Power: 16	3" works fine... (antenna only) Thats my roadster pic and I have never had a problem.. Looks MUCH better too

06-05-2010, 04:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
runaround Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 28 Drives: '10 Z Roadster 6MT Rep Power: 16	So on my roadster, I only listen to satellite radio. I had to unscrew and remove the AM/FM antenna to put my car cover on before I went on vacation. When I came back home, I was in a hurry to uncover the car and get going, so I didn't reattach the antenna. Much to my pleasant surprise, the nav and satellite radio worked fine. So I've kept the whip part of the antenna off. I can actually still pick up a few local FM radio stations too. Not sure how good this is for the system, but I really like the look of having no antenna at all. If I do have any issues, I have the antenna in my truck, so I can reattach whenever.

06-05-2010, 06:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
Vegitto-kun A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,011 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 262	I always wondered why the roadster has a antenna

07-05-2010, 12:41 AM	#15 (permalink)
js1 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Jersey Posts: 794 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 16	does anyone know how the entire antenna is on the roadster trunk? can the entire antenna be taken off the trunk?

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