How To: Short Antenna

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steez
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How To: Short Antenna

Post by steez » Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:45 pm

I didn't see a how-to done on this yet. It's pretty self-explanatory, lots of people have already done this.

I haven't listened to see how bad it affects reception, but I don't listen to the radio so I don't really care :thumbup: .

1. Take off stock antenna, 10mm wrench.
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2. Cut to desired length
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3. I capped my cut with the top of a pt antenna. I think some people take the ball off the top of the stock one and re-hammer it on to where they cut it. Either way, super-glue it on.
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4. Tape off threads
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5. Paint & clear coat, let dry for 24 hours
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6. Re-install
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7. Done
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Last edited by steez on Wed Jun 13, 2012 3:55 pm, edited 5 times in total.
..03 tib gt sold..
..05 sxt project LOW and SLOW..

chris1211
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Post by chris1211 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:14 pm

Wait im comfused after u cut how do reatach the threads
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cdewalt1985
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Post by cdewalt1985 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:17 pm

you cut the top bud, the threads never come off.
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Post by chris1211 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:18 pm

Lmao im f*cking retarded lol nice post I wanted a shorty
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cdewalt1985
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Post by cdewalt1985 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:22 pm

I will probably do this mod as well, Steez please check and see if the reception is decent or not for me.
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Post by chris1211 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:25 pm

Please do
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RobsProjectSOHC
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Post by RobsProjectSOHC » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:29 pm

I just tried doing this. On both neons it was 10mm. (01 and 03). I used a torch on the ball, then smacked it off. Try to re tap it in and just fell off into the ground gone, hard to do....but can be done.

Edit: Bought these - "Vinyl Antenna Tube Caps."
Last edited by RobsProjectSOHC on Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:44 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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cdewalt1985
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Post by cdewalt1985 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:31 pm

how is reception Rob?
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RobsProjectSOHC
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Post by RobsProjectSOHC » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:37 pm

cdewalt1985 wrote:how is reception Rob?


I honestly didnt find a difference, not alot of stations in my town. I'll update when I go to work tomorrow.
Last edited by RobsProjectSOHC on Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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cdewalt1985
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Post by cdewalt1985 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:37 pm

ok thanks
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Post by FAC3L3SS » Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:10 pm

I did this, then just sorta rounded off the antenna (fuck that ball) and bombed it black. Reception didn't change, but apparently Indiana is super flat and wide open so what would I know? :shrugs:
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Post by cdewalt1985 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 9:12 pm

I hardly ever use my radio anyways so I am going to do this mod more than likely, Needless to say my antenna isnt even hooked up to my radio right now anyways.....lol.....Need the darn adapter.
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Post by jmoddes » Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:35 pm

looks weird, but thanks for sharing!
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Post by SCXJ220 » Tue Jun 12, 2012 12:53 am

I have this done to my car as well. Cut mine @ 15". I have not noticed any drop in reception. I think I remember reading somewhere that as long as its 12" or longer reception should not diminish much. Looks alot better than the almost 3' long stocker. :thumbup:
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Post by steez » Tue Jun 12, 2012 2:28 am

cdewalt1985 wrote:I will probably do this mod as well, Steez please check and see if the reception is decent or not for me.
It honestly didn't change and I live in the stiiiicks. :)
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Post by Danteneon » Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:14 am

The thing to keep in mind is that Chrysler only makes one length antenna mast. It is made long enough to get to the roof height of the tallest vehicle with the lowest fenders (Dodge Ram). As long as the mast is at or near the roof line of the car (around 15" IIRC), reception will not be affected.
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Post by occasional demons » Tue Jun 12, 2012 12:07 pm

Danteneon wrote: As long as the mast is at or near the roof line of the car (around 15" IIRC), reception will not be affected.
I have found when a woman's feet/legs are near the roof line, like rabbit ears, my reception goes bezerk.
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Post by Danteneon » Tue Jun 12, 2012 12:43 pm

:rofl:
If I could just figure out how to meld the Outback and the Neon into one car...

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Post by C1DoG » Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:15 pm

:laughing3:
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Post by FAC3L3SS » Tue Jun 12, 2012 4:10 pm

IIRC mine is only about 6" long. . .


The antenna however, I've not actually measured.
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Post by Johny » Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:38 pm

FAC3L3SS wrote:IIRC mine is only about 6" long. . .


The antenna however, I've not actually measured.
:laughing3: :rofl:

On a side note, I think I'll try this
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Post by cdewalt1985 » Wed Jun 13, 2012 3:10 pm

ok guys just cut mine and removed the ball, drilled the ball out a lil bigger to fit nicely over the shorter 12" antenna. Also then used JB Weld to secure the ball back on. It is now getting painted black of course. I will post pics when its all cleared and back on the car.
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Post by cdewalt1985 » Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:38 pm

ok guys here is the pics. I went with 12 inches.

this is after I cut it and reattached the ball
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This is after paint and clear
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And this is Installed
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Post by RobsProjectSOHC » Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:55 pm

Still waiting for my new camera to come in, but I borrowed one for this shot.

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RobsProjectSOHC wrote:I just tried doing this. On both neons it was 10mm. (01 and 03). I used a torch on the ball, then smacked it off. Try to re tap it in and just fell off into the ground gone, hard to do....but can be done.

Edit: Bought these - "Vinyl Antenna Tube Caps."
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cdewalt1985
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Post by cdewalt1985 » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:18 pm

I had no issues at all removing the ball or drilling it and reattaching it.
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Post by RobsProjectSOHC » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:19 pm

cdewalt1985 wrote:I had no issues at all removing the ball or drilling it and reattaching it.
I would of drilled it out, but I lost the ball twice...so its mainly me on that, i just copied for the link of antenna topper.

Going to do this how to on the 01 right now actually.
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cdewalt1985
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Post by cdewalt1985 » Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:22 pm

lol, dont drop the ball
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steez
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Post by steez » Fri Jun 22, 2012 10:32 pm

RobsProjectSOHC wrote:
cdewalt1985 wrote:I had no issues at all removing the ball or drilling it and reattaching it.
I would of drilled it out, but I lost the ball twice...so its mainly me on that, i just copied for the link of antenna topper.

Going to do this how to on the 01 right now actually.
Haha this is the only reason I didn't use the ball in the how to
..03 tib gt sold..
..05 sxt project LOW and SLOW..

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cdewalt1985
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Post by cdewalt1985 » Fri Jun 22, 2012 10:34 pm

damn guess I have a one of a kind then since mine is the only one that has any balls......lol
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