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Shorty Antenna compared to stock antenna ...

Dikicep9

New member
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
Not good!

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? :(
 
Length vs Length

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.
 
replace oem antenna or what?

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?
 
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.
 
Antenna Replacement

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.
 
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
 
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... :shocked:
 
You have to remember; the GoldWing has now reached it's 40th year of production. :shocked: :bowdown:
It takes a while to perfect a product to that level... give BRP some time. :thumbup:
 
Could someone post a photo of the Walmart shortie or any other brand that works as good as or better than stock ? :clap:

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

Thanks dudes and dudettes ! :spyder2:
 
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