Shorty Antenna compared to stock antenna ...

[Dikicep9]

My son accidentally snapped off my stock antenna on my 2012 RT-S roadster this weekend when lowering the garage door. I don't know who was more sorry, him or I. I'm thinking about replacing it with a shorty antenna, but I'd like to get some opinions first. Is the shorty as good or better than the stock antenna?

[spydercowboy]

When I swapped mine on my Harley, I went from 3 mile CB reception to 1/4 mile. Fine with me since I only want to talk the wife on her Spyder but from what I've since read, that is typical going to shorter antenna. CB or AM/FM. You drastically reduce reception. Apparently these nearly 3 foot antennas are the optimum for general best reception. As a result I won't change the one on the Spyder since it is stiffer and doesn't whip around as much as those on the Harley. They whipped all over the place which is the reason I replaced them but payed a price doing it.

[Farmbanker]

The $10 Walmart one looks great and I get as good of reception as I did with the stock one.

[lyonsden]

The $10 Walmart one looks great and I get as good of reception as I did with the stock one.

I actually think my reception is better with the shorty from Walmart.

[Dragonrider]

The shorty antenna was my first farkle for my RT - from the early days, when the antenna would fall out…. never had a problem or issue with it.

[ARtraveler]

The $10 Walmart one looks great and I get as good of reception as I did with the stock one.

[KatLen0405]

I didn't get the $10 one from Walmart. Got the $20+ one online and the reception is terrible. Now I have to decide - music or chrome?

[2Paw]

it is not the physical length of the antenna that is the issue, as long as you don't change the freguency response length of the antenna. so if you break or cut an antenna you do that. A short antenna could have the same response as a long one, if it's made correctly. That being said a long antenna will sometimes work better than a short one because may be in a better place to get more of the signal. Like holding your open hand behind the windscreen vs beside the windscreen.

[mrfats]

I got the chrome shorty antenna from Custom Dynamics...$19.95.

[rob-airborne]

My OEM antenna was 'broken off' by the wind (according to my nephew). The Spyder was under a tarp.
I don't really use the radio very often. Can I just trim off the broken portion and shove in the remainder as compared to going out and buying a new antenna?

My son accidentally snapped off my stock antenna on my 2012 RT-S roadster this weekend when lowering the garage door. I don't know who was more sorry, him or I. I'm thinking about replacing it with a shorty antenna, but I'd like to get some opinions first. Is the shorty as good or better than the stock antenna?

[vided]

I've used the wind defense also.
the shorty from walmart works and looks better then stock.

[StanProff]

on my other spyder I replaced the antenna with a shorty "rubber ducky" from Advance auto, $13.00. I could never tell a difference in the reception. looked better and worked fine.

[ursamajor35126]

The $10 Walmart one looks great and I get as good of reception as I did with the stock one.

My 2012 had a broken antenna when I bought it... put the Walmart shorty on and haven't looked back.... Works good and no more worries when putting the cover on!

[STELLING MAN]

I put a shorty on my RT about a month ago, I can't tell any difference at all, got It at O'Reilly's auto parts..

[rgk]

My son accidentally snapped off my stock antenna on my 2012 RT-S roadster this weekend when lowering the garage door. I don't know who was more sorry, him or I. I'm thinking about replacing it with a shorty antenna, but I'd like to get some opinions first. Is the shorty as good or better than the stock antenna?

I replaced my OEM antenna with the Custom Dynamics short antenna. I seem to get better reception...AM did not work until I installed the CD product.

[R FUN]

I think it all depends how far you are from radio stations. I live 75 miles from closest radio station and after my antenna broke I tried the short rubber ducky and could not get any reception. I replaced my antenna with an auto one from a junk yard , same leangth as original, just need to run a 6mm thread, looks and works as good or better than original and will never break. Most U.S. cars and truck use that antenna and best part, FREE.
Roger

[Bob Denman]

I tried the Shortee from Custom Dynamics... went back to the OEM; I lost far too much reception with it up here in the mountains...

[Art Mann]

BRP should provide a folding antenna like you see on Goldwings.

[Bob Denman]

You have to remember; the GoldWing has now reached it's 40th year of production.
It takes a while to perfect a product to that level... give BRP some time.

[WEB-WVR]

Could someone post a photo of the Walmart shortie or any other brand that works as good as or better than stock ?

Also...does the factory one screw out and the new one screw on ? or do you need to modify anything.

Thanks dudes and dudettes !

[Michiganspyderman]

Could someone post a photo of the Walmart shortie or any other brand that works as good as or better than stock ?

Also...does the factory one screw out and the new one screw on ? or do you need to modify anything.

Thanks dudes and dudettes !

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Scosche-RM...tenna/16652627

[zuni]

Could someone post a photo of the Walmart shortie or any other brand that works as good as or better than stock ?

Also...does the factory one screw out and the new one screw on ? or do you need to modify anything.

Thanks dudes and dudettes !

I replaced mine with the universal Scosche from Walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Scosche-RM...tenna/16652627 works as well as the OEM (at least in our area, can't speak for mountains).
It comes with an adapter that will screw right into the block where the oem was attached. Used a little bit of soap and slid the oem boot over the new antenna. End of story.

[metman]

I broke the OEM antenna on my '12 RT trying to get into the trunk without properly taking off the half cover from the front. Repaired it and then it was 1/2" shorter but I could tell no difference.

Then I went with the hidden antenna off eBay for $18 bucks and have no complaints. Had to come up with another plug to fill the hole on the right side and the biggest problem there was to have it painted Viper red.

But I really like the looks of no antenna at all, short or tall. Anybody want/need an OEM antenna that's a 1/2" shorter?

Mike in KY

[WEB-WVR]

I replaced mine with the universal Scosche from Walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Scosche-RM...tenna/16652627 works as well as the OEM (at least in our area, can't speak for mountains).
It comes with an adapter that will screw right into the block where the oem was attached. Used a little bit of soap and slid the oem boot over the new antenna. End of story.

Thanks to those who responded !

So the stock antenna just unscrews then ?

Thanks again in helping this new Spyder owner !

[nakerr]

BRP should provide a folding antenna like you see on Goldwings.

Agreed, I used to just fold down the antenna and it went under the cover when I put the cover on my GL1500. Any chance the GW one would work on a RT?