Stubby antenna vs. long antenna?

[ketel0ne]

How is the reception on a stubby antenna, and is there a huge benefit aero wise to getting the original shorter? smaller?

[tomauto]

I have my antenna as far down as it can go if that means anything to you, the reception shouldn't be any worse...

[kickflipjr]

stubby antenni don't pick up am stations good. Aero benifits? way too small to worry about.

[tomauto]

aero benefits...

I don't agree with that statement all that much. When I see anntena flush mounted against new cars, it leads me to think that there was some interference, and VW always had the swirl going up their antenna because it (reduced drag)....i'd say every count of drag is worth something.

[onegammyleg]

If your worried about it , go with a stick-on window antenna instead.
No aero issue then...

[red91sit]

Originally Posted by tomauto

aero benefits...

I don't agree with that statement all that much. When I see anntena flush mounted against new cars, it leads me to think that there was some interference, and VW always had the swirl going up their antenna because it (reduced drag)....i'd say every count of drag is worth something.

I believe antennaes normally do have a significant amount of drag, if you've ever watched, they'll bend back quite a bit at highspeed. If you try to bend them back with your hand that far you'll notice it's actually quite a large amount of force.

The design of antennes is very inneficient, i don't understand why they don't use a more aerodynamic shape, such as the teardrop. Circles actually have a drag Cd of .5!!

The spiral winding I believe is more designed to get rid of the hispeed whistle noise more than to cut down on drag.

[thisisntjared]

most antennas are less than 1cm thick... even the stubby ones. i doubt the effect the car too much.

that said i have an antenna block off plate on my hatch, and let me tell you: the reception is horrible