DIY Shorty Antenna w/ Pics
 

Ok, so being cheap like I am i decided to just make my own shorty antenna. I eyed it up and measured and decided on 16in as my height. That makes roughly the same height as the roof.

First, I gathered up my tools. Dremel with reinforced cutting wheel, safety glasses, tape measure, all purpose glue, and a wrench to remove the antenna.
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8...amod006oy8.jpg

Here is a pic before i started showing its towering stature.
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6...amod002ja4.jpg

Next, I measured how long i wanted it'd and for the picture taped it off.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4...amod003au1.jpg

Now I removed the antenna using a crescent wrentch, grabbed the dremel and cut it to the desired height.
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1...amod005mi4.jpg

After making the cut i used the top flat side of the cutting wheel to sand down where the cut was made. Then I took the dremel and did the same thing to the top of the antenna, cutting of just the little round ball.
Lastly, use the glue of your choice and reattach the ball to the top of your new shorty antenna. After the glue takes hold just screw your antenna back in and you are done. Not complicated at all. Took me about 15min and i'm happy with the outcome. Saved me $20 :)

Finally Product...
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/9...amod007ay0.jpg
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2...amod009qr2.jpg
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4...amod011ih7.jpg

RE: DIY Shorty Antenna w/ Pics
 

+1 on being innovative and creative. I would imagine reception was not affected? or maybe you are like me that seldom hears the radio...

RE: DIY Shorty Antenna w/ Pics
 

reception is not affected at all, atleast not that i've noticed.

RE: DIY Shorty Antenna w/ Pics
 

Great Mod! Doing this first chance I get. Thanks!

RE: DIY Shorty Antenna w/ Pics
 

Very nicely done!

RE: DIY Shorty Antenna w/ Pics
 

Does anyone know if there is a way remove the ball on top without cutting it off??

RE: DIY Shorty Antenna w/ Pics
 

there is not, its all one piece.

RE: DIY Shorty Antenna w/ Pics
 

That is why this forum is so great. Very nice mod. Will probably save some people money on $30 antennas.

RE: DIY Shorty Antenna w/ Pics
 

do you really need a dremel to cut the antenna? is it that sturdy? any suggestions for the guy w/o a dremel. FREAKING SWEET STRIPES MAN, what color and where did you get them? Damn it looks sweet! congrats on a sexy car

RE: DIY Shorty Antenna w/ Pics
 

that's not true actually before I bought my short antenna i choppedmy stock onedown to 16 inches with a pair of cutters and then I popped the ball off the antenna and stuck it on the shortened piece. to get it off I had to use a pair ofpliers(linesmanpliers... hey I'm an electrician they're what I hadsitting around). just takea heavy pair of plierslike thoseand justwrap them around the shaft like you are going to cut itand slide them up and down whacking the bottom of the ball. it shouldpop right off after afew good hits.then you just have to file down the piece of shaft that you are going to stick it on because it'll be a little fatter since the antenna is skinnier at the top and juststick the ballright on.