Sorry for the noob questions but is there a degradation in performance with a stubby antenna? Which ones are reccommended?

I got the 4" one from Bimmian (http://www.bimmian.com/vehicle.htm?veh=Z4)and have been pleased with it. I don't listen to FM (crap signal with either antenna) and have noticed no problems with AM. For music I mostly either listen to iPod through DICE or to the engine.:)

The FM antenna for the Z4 is in the rear bumper. The AM antenna is the one you are replacing. So, FM reception should not change and AM reception will change dependent on the AM signal. I've got a very short antenna and FM is the same, while AM is OK and doesn't pull in the weaker signals.

I was looking at stubbyantenna (.)com. (sorry I can't post the link due to Forum protocols) Much cheaper ($7.99 vs $25) than the Bimimian and looks similiar but I know nothing of this antenna, It is solid aluminum also. Anyone have any 411 on this antenna or similiar?

RECEPTION...

I actually noticed a HUGE difference where i live... I live by the water in Edmonds, which typically has fairly poor reception to begin with...

Stock ant - all my preset channels were "fuzzy" although toleratable while washing/waxing at home, or even driving around home.

3" stubby ant - no presets come in at all... I loose all reception 3-5 mins away from home...

YES, these are FM stations... seattle stations 92.5, 93.3, 106.1, 96.5, 101.5, and 107.7

I was looking at stubbyantenna (.)com. (sorry I can't post the link due to Forum protocols) Much cheaper ($7.99 vs $25) than the Bimimian and looks similiar but I know nothing of this antenna, It is solid aluminum also. Anyone have any 411 on this antenna or similiar?It appears upon observation that their I series is the same antenna that Bimmian resells, at apparently a substantial margin.

go to your local nissan dealer and take one off of a murano and trim a half inch of rubber off the bottom

you robbed a dealership, so what, they'd do the same to you!

I got mine off of ebay - I believe it was about $7.00 (this was back last year). I went with the black rubber kind for two reasons:
1. it was cheap
2. it matches the base it screws into PERFECTLY.

The AM channels are a bit (just a bit) weaker - the FM channels seem unaffected. Like Justinius, I live in a "bowl" against puget sound just north of Seattle and reception isn't great with either antenna when I'm home...but, I didn't notice an appreciable degradation with the stubby - and the look of it is VASTLY superior IMHO (plus it doesn't accidently get caught on my arm when I pass over the left rear fender unloading crap from the trunk :D)

...YES, these are FM stations... seattle stations 92.5, 93.3, 106.1, 96.5, 101.5, and 107.7

What? Where's 90.3? :D

90.3

actually, KXMP (i think are the call letters)... it was programed in, but wife wanted "star" sooo... couldnt give up the "end" being in my early 30's... i like to step back to old school 92.5... wanting to show off my carver subs... 93.3 and 106.1. So now when in the mood... Manually tune it in...

i have the 3 inch stubby from Mangowalk.... you can find it on e-bay.... and the material matches perfectly with the factory base.... if you do a search on here you find a thread on it. it is my understanding that the antenna is used for the SOS.... so i leave the factory one in the car in case i need to call for a tow, etc..... and yes i know it won't do me any good if i'm in an accident... but it does look a 100% better. the chance you take for vanity i guess.... i haven't noticed a difference in reception with it but i live in the middle of a city.

Mangowalk is the one I have too. And I keep the stock antenna in the car for the same reason as you :-)

So is the FM ant in the bumper or not??

Who's wrong here?

So is the FM ant in the bumper or not??

Who's wrong here?

FROM what i have read on this forum... is there are 2 antanea's... an FM style loop in the bumper and the AM non loop.

There is some type of module mounted in the rear of the vehicle that decides to feed the radio with which ever antenea signal which is strongest.

which could be, because i live in an area that naturally has poor reception... the module is trying to recieve signal from the external antenea rather than the bumper. i dunno...

I was thinking this (thinking the bumper ant is the FM) sounds like guys who have gone stubby trying hard to justify their purchase...

I just went out and got in the car and tuned in FM...

Then got out and pulled the ant off... And lost the signal.


For folks living in places out of all radio range, a stubby will not make zero reception worse...

For the other 99% of us it will.

I have one, works wonders looks great.