1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Shorty antenna - good or not so good?

Discussion in 'Audio & Video' started by RB1, Nov 6, 2018.

  1. Nov 6, 2018 at 9:18 AM
    #1
    RB1

    RB1 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2018
    Member:
    #19243
    Messages:
    25
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra Sport DoubleCab 5.7
    Those of you that have a shorty ... do they actually provide the same reception as the whip antenna?

    Are they all the same or do you have recommendation for a good one?

    Thanks
     
  2. Nov 6, 2018 at 9:20 AM
    #2
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3549
    Messages:
    11,577
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Warren
    Santa Cruz
    Vehicle:
    '16 CM limited
    TC long travel. Deaver 420 SU leaf packs.
    Didn't work for me. I ended up with antenna X 13"
     
    joonbug likes this.
  3. Nov 6, 2018 at 9:28 AM
    #3
    Dabutcher

    Dabutcher New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2017
    Member:
    #9359
    Messages:
    685
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    D
    Twin Cities
    Vehicle:
    2008 Nautical Blue Tundra SR5 CM 4x4 Beauty
    Toytec Boss coilover, Ray10’s ,Ridge Grapplers,Bilstein 5100,BAM 8”,TRD sway,
    Ok reception. Mine broke off twice in the full service car wash. Waste of $26 to me. Good luck. D
     
  4. Nov 6, 2018 at 9:30 AM
    #4
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    Member:
    #1948
    Messages:
    16,674
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joon
    NorCal - Dublin
    Vehicle:
    2020 Long Travel DC
    They're ok if you have strong reception. I broke mine wheeling and replaced it with a 13" flexible. Still not as good as the whip but better than the stubby.
     
    831Tun likes this.
  5. Nov 6, 2018 at 9:36 AM
    #5
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2018
    Member:
    #20730
    Messages:
    9,116
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Southeast Greater Basin, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM CrüeMax
    JoshuaA likes this.
  6. Nov 6, 2018 at 9:41 AM
    #6
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2017
    Member:
    #11529
    Messages:
    2,710
    Southern Ontario
    Vehicle:
    Blaaack 2.5G
    I'd say 80% OEM. The whip is a good clearance checker.

    Ya the Antenna Source stubby will break off in a car wash or can be bent broken if not careful. I wouldn't buy that model again.
     
  7. Nov 6, 2018 at 9:41 AM
    #7
    SgtSausage1978

    SgtSausage1978 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2018
    Member:
    #20723
    Messages:
    125
    Gender:
    Male
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2023 SR5 crew cab
    DOGSHIT reception... I drive across the country a lot. If you're not in a major city forget it...
     
  8. Nov 6, 2018 at 9:42 AM
    #8
    JoshuaA

    JoshuaA Canuck Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2017
    Member:
    #11529
    Messages:
    2,710
    Southern Ontario
    Vehicle:
    Blaaack 2.5G
    Antenna X 13 has some bad reviews, good for you guys?
     
  9. Nov 6, 2018 at 9:48 AM
    #9
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2018
    Member:
    #20730
    Messages:
    9,116
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jake
    Southeast Greater Basin, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM CrüeMax
    It's been fine for me - I think I remembered most of the bad reviews were regarding the antenna post breaking off in the car wash, which I just remove mine before I go through... so...
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  10. Nov 6, 2018 at 10:50 AM
    #10
    ARES

    ARES ARES Fabrications

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2017
    Member:
    #11492
    Messages:
    451
    Gender:
    Male
    God Bless America
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra TRD Cement
    If radio reception is your priority then stay away from the shorty.
     
  11. Nov 6, 2018 at 11:05 AM
    #11
    ToyotaTundraMike

    ToyotaTundraMike Not A New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2015
    Member:
    #2256
    Messages:
    2,153
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tundra
    There is one shorty that is better quality than the rest. It is a 7” by a company called “Antennamastsrus”. Have had good experience with it.

    They are also making a 13” version similar to the antennaX.
     
  12. Nov 6, 2018 at 11:12 AM
    #12
    ARES

    ARES ARES Fabrications

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2017
    Member:
    #11492
    Messages:
    451
    Gender:
    Male
    God Bless America
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra TRD Cement
    ToyotaTundraMike likes this.
  13. Nov 6, 2018 at 11:20 AM
    #13
    gladecreekwy

    gladecreekwy Wyoming

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2017
    Member:
    #7463
    Messages:
    906
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    J
    Jackson Wyoming
    Vehicle:
    2014 trd silver tundra
    6" lift, bumper and winch.
    That’s the one I got and it’s great. No difference in my opinion. And I live in a very rural area.
     
  14. Nov 6, 2018 at 11:35 AM
    #14
    Darkness

    Darkness Allergic to white

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2018
    Member:
    #17315
    Messages:
    9,976
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Luis
    All over SoCal
    Vehicle:
    The darkest
    It's really dark
    It is a results may vary thing. If you live close to the broadcast and in a relatively obstruction free area it won't be bad. If that is not the case then expect disappointment.

    I ran a 12" rubber stubby on my truck, did okay in some areas but even then was nothing compared to stock. I also run a super stubby on my VW, only picks up one station. Tempted to swap to a shark fin but I rarely use FM anyway.
     
  15. Nov 6, 2018 at 11:40 AM
    #15
    MJB_Tundra

    MJB_Tundra New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2018
    Member:
    #17857
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Upgraded Sound System, bed cover, LED lighting, BA Muffler, Blisteins front/rear
    The shorty’s are terrible. I purchased on from Amazon. The reception is very spotty. It appears the threads are not long enough to make solid contact the the actual antenna.
     
  16. Nov 6, 2018 at 12:24 PM
    #16
    HybridGadwall

    HybridGadwall New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2017
    Member:
    #11406
    Messages:
    49
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 Platinum 4x4
    Optima Yellow Top Icon Stage 5 - 3.5” Moto Metal 20x9 Nitto 35x11.5 Trail Grapplers Thule Aero Bars Color matched handles and mirror caps Line-X Bedliner TRD Pro Exhaust & CAI WeatherTech Mats More to come
    A third for good choice here. No issues... I like the look is why I got it, as I listen to XM or bluetooth 98% of the time.
     
  17. Nov 6, 2018 at 12:44 PM
    #17
    buffaluphagus

    buffaluphagus —————————————

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2018
    Member:
    #20093
    Messages:
    181
    Gender:
    Male
    Had a shorty and went back to stock. Reception not so good
     
  18. Nov 6, 2018 at 1:47 PM
    #18
    Taco-Blender

    Taco-Blender Old Guys Rule

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2017
    Member:
    #9710
    Messages:
    1,797
    Gender:
    Male
    AZ
    Vehicle:
    2010 DC 4x4
    This is the one I picked up almost a year ago. Reception is almost as good as stock with my test being a 75 mile drive to my mom's.
     
  19. Nov 6, 2018 at 2:36 PM
    #19
    2010bigdog

    2010bigdog New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13453
    Messages:
    1,345
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chuck
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM SR5 TRD
    that is the one i just bought a few weeks ago and its better than the first shorty i bought its still not the same as stock unfortunately . the HD does not come in all of the time ,it goes in and out of HD
     
  20. Nov 6, 2018 at 2:46 PM
    #20
    saybng

    saybng Just a member.

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2015
    Member:
    #2243
    Messages:
    2,890
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Ventura CA
    Vehicle:
    16 Tundra 1794 CM in BLACK!
    Method Nv's, falken wildpeak 275.65.20 Dirty deeds exhaust, 5100's all around...nothin fancy.
    When you listen to XM do you loose signal under bridge/tunnel?
     
  21. Nov 6, 2018 at 2:58 PM
    #21
    Jayofryer

    Jayofryer Tundra

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2018
    Member:
    #20892
    Messages:
    15
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Josh
    MASSACHUSETTS
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra Trd Off Road CrewMax
    Ask I'll tell... more to do and more questions need answered
    My works awesome

    Screenshot_20181004-202836_Chrome.jpg
     
  22. Nov 6, 2018 at 3:28 PM
    #22
    blackz151

    blackz151 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2018
    Member:
    #17860
    Messages:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    nick
    I dont have horrible reception but it sure isnt as good as the wip
     
  23. Nov 6, 2018 at 3:41 PM
    #23
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    Hijacking to discuss XM antennas. Whats everyones thoughts on this? Gonna retrofit it and mount to back pillar. Think people might wonder if I’m Secret Service?

    upload_2018-11-6_18-40-47.jpg
     
  24. Nov 6, 2018 at 3:41 PM
    #24
    2010bigdog

    2010bigdog New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2018
    Member:
    #13453
    Messages:
    1,345
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chuck
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2018 MGM SR5 TRD
    that is the one i have and no its NOT as good as the OEM but looks better !
     
    Jayofryer[QUOTED] likes this.
  25. Nov 6, 2018 at 4:06 PM
    #25
    Tinycow

    Tinycow New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2018
    Member:
    #16989
    Messages:
    41
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Vehicle:
    2018 White Tundra
    NFab step bars ultra flex bed cover Shorty Antenna Rough Country 3/2 Monster II 18x9 +18 Nitto G2 305/65/18
    I haven’t noticed any difference with mine.
     
  26. Nov 6, 2018 at 4:22 PM
    #26
    Fishman57

    Fishman57 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2018
    Member:
    #20524
    Messages:
    2,271
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Wayne
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra 1794 Barcelona Red Crewmax
    BakFlip MX4 Tonneau, 12 Volt Solutions Remote Starter More minor mods coming
  27. Nov 6, 2018 at 6:16 PM
    #27
    ARES

    ARES ARES Fabrications

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2017
    Member:
    #11492
    Messages:
    451
    Gender:
    Male
    God Bless America
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra TRD Cement
    Mine does the same. And if I am on the outskirts of town my favorite rock station will not pickup vs the oem one.
     
  28. Nov 6, 2018 at 7:05 PM
    #28
    rvrats2

    rvrats2 Too Often Yankees Overprice This Auto

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2016
    Member:
    #3724
    Messages:
    157
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    Carbondalé, CO
    Vehicle:
    2011 SR5. Bench Seat!
    I live in the mountains and only use the radio for npr/public that repeats throughout the valley, so I have to change station either way depending on where I am to get the same broadcast. Stubby is worse than the hwip, but the old hwip was, loose?, it bent way back under load and bugged me. I like the stubby better!
     
  29. Nov 11, 2018 at 6:29 PM
    #29
    Bschaper84

    Bschaper84 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2018
    Member:
    #21587
    Messages:
    34
    Gender:
    Male
    Las Vegas
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Crewmax SR5 Inferno
    8 Inch ready lift. 20 inch moto metal wheels 37 mudders. Led interior lights and bed lights as well as 3rd brake light. Led back up lights and license plate lights. 20% tint all windows and 50%front window
    I drive a semi for a living and use this antenna. Havent had any issues with it and you will enjoy the reach. Might be able to even mount to the bed or between the hood fender
     
  30. Nov 12, 2018 at 4:08 AM
    #30
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2018
    Member:
    #14878
    Messages:
    15,007
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Fred
    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
    Vehicle:
    2002 Tundra SR5 4WD 4.7L AC Silver Metallica
    Hand Protectors
    Thanks for the feedback. When reading the reviews, many truckers were using these and have great things to say.

    We have a few patches of tree canopy and my little magnetic antenna goes out when driving through them.

    Only problem I see is where and how to mount as its meant to be attached to a mirror frame. Will definitely need a retro fit somewhere.
     
To Top