Southern California Club Xterra

Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX General Discussion => Topic started by: Lava on September 30, 2012, 08:59:50 PM

Title: CUSTOM STEREO AM/FM/XM ANTENNA MOD
Post by: Lava on September 30, 2012, 08:59:50 PM
What do you get when you take your OEM radio Antenna, heat it up to 2500 Kelvins, fold it in half 3 times, hammer it straight, and then paint it?  ??? ???

A MESS!  ;D

So go out to PepBoys and pick up a shorty Antenna for under $15 bucks, Use one of the adapters in the box and some thread locker to keep it attached to the antenna. Then screw it in your factory location. Thats all it takes.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

I didn't lose any signal in any AM/FM Band. My XM radio works fine and only cuts out under overpasses and tall buildings, but hey, who really wants to be in those locations anyways?




Title: Re: CUSTOM STEREO AM/FM/XM ANTENNA MOD
Post by: s14slide on October 01, 2012, 02:54:26 AM
Been wanting a shorter antenna, but was worried about signal loss.  Have you seen any losses in AM?
Title: Re: CUSTOM STEREO AM/FM/XM ANTENNA MOD
Post by: Lava on October 01, 2012, 06:57:15 AM
Quote from: s14slide on October 01, 2012, 02:54:26 AM
Been wanting a shorter antenna, but was worried about signal loss.  Have you seen any losses in AM?

I haven't, but then again, all I did was scan through AM and it picked up numerous bands, same with FM. I had all my presets in memory with my OEM, then added the shorty antenna. Still have them all, no sound quality issues or static. I'm sure the antenna is wrapped/tuned specially for the application with the fancy roof mount styles on most newer cars.

I haven't been through a car wash yet, but I don't foresee any issues with breakage as its pretty stout.
Title: Re: CUSTOM STEREO AM/FM/XM ANTENNA MOD
Post by: SuperSlideStyle on October 02, 2012, 10:01:49 PM
Very cool.
Title: Re: CUSTOM STEREO AM/FM/XM ANTENNA MOD
Post by: Lava on October 04, 2012, 05:42:29 PM
UPDATE:

This MOD may only work with OEM stereo, possibly the Pro4X or Rockford Fosgate units that run an amplified signal.
Title: Re: CUSTOM STEREO AM/FM/XM ANTENNA MOD
Post by: s14slide on October 04, 2012, 09:09:33 PM
Good thing I have a Rock Fos system
Title: Re: CUSTOM STEREO AM/FM/XM ANTENNA MOD
Post by: HEVAK on October 04, 2012, 09:28:01 PM
Just did this mod. I have an aftermarket system, that had real bad reception in the first place. Don't know why, and didn't ever remedy it, because I listen to satellite radio, iPod, and Pandora. Although I had bad reception before, I get zero FM/AM reception now. But like I said, it doesn't matter. It just looks cool  8) and it wont twang in the woods.

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg237/kaveh34/45E39C74-4DB9-4952-9B6C-12081093EAC6-4254-00000392D0ECCE1A.jpg)
Title: Re: CUSTOM STEREO AM/FM/XM ANTENNA MOD
Post by: knightrider on October 09, 2012, 10:47:25 PM
i like my stock antenna, since its a couple inches higher than the roof rack, its a good indicator if i can fit into a garage or drive thru :D
Title: Re: CUSTOM STEREO AM/FM/XM ANTENNA MOD
Post by: Toro on October 10, 2012, 08:52:56 AM
Quote from: knightrider on October 09, 2012, 10:47:25 PM
i like my stock antenna, since its a couple inches higher than the roof rack, its a good indicator if i can fit into a garage or drive thru :D
This!!
     When my antenna hits my "oh crap" alarm goes off.
Title: Re: CUSTOM STEREO AM/FM/XM ANTENNA MOD
Post by: Lava on October 10, 2012, 09:24:21 AM
maybe if I hit a parking structure and rip my rack off, I can get a new Gobi Rack with Roof Top tent as an Insurance replacement? Lol!  ;D