For those that have made their own shorty, how did you take the ball off w/o damaging it and were you able to simply re-glue it back on after cutting the shaft? I assume the shaft penetrates the ball somewhat.

 

I used a pair of pliers like a slide hammer and popped it off. Just pay attention to where the ball goes when it comes flying off of the antenna. I cut off the desired amount and super glued the ball back on. The antenna does penetrate the ball so it is pretty simple.

 

Here's the "how-to" I followed when shortening mine and it worked great...

http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/antenna1.htm

 

Excellent. Thanks, guys.

 

What he said.

 

you might not be able to just stick it back on though, the top is circular where the ball attaches but the reast of the antenna has a wire like thing wrapped around it. I had to gring the wrapped part down to fit the ball in. Wasnt much work just need a dremel with a cutoff wheel and a sander to smooth out the part to reattach at.

 

Reader Tip: For frequencies in the normal FM band (90-100Mhz) a length between 26 and 31 " will be fine. If you want to go smaller I recommend you use multiple of this ie 13 to 15.5" in order to maintain reasonable reception. - John the Ham radio operator and SVT driver (not at the same time :-)


This is an interesting note someone posted in that how-to. Right now I think I have an 8" from ebay and while I like the look the reception isn't that hot outside the city. Maybe I'll cut my stock one a bit and see if it improves the reception over the one I have now, that is if I can find it.

 

wish i just did this and saved myself 20 bucks

 

Im not sure what mine measure now but it sits level with the top of the car. Looks perfect to me, i hate the tall look, but the super short looks just as bad to me. I havent noticed much if any of a reception change and it looks great. plus free is always a plus

 

Cut mine to roof height as well and I do live in a rural area, with no noticable reception issues. Cheapest and easiest mod to date