Replacement Antenna(s): AM/FM reception?

[Badmfbri]

I've been doing a ton of upgrades over the last few months. A lot of them have been for looks, but I always require function before looks, after all form follows function. I'm looking for a new antenna to to replace the OEM antenna. I don't want anything that you'd see on a JK or JL because those are "city Jeeps", the ones where they drive on a rough mall parking lot and call it four wheeling.

I found a 13" antenna, but it has no reviews. Has anyone used this particular antenna? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079L68PZC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

If not, have you replaced the OEM with another brand? I need something that looks good, but still provides better than adequate AM/FM reception.

 

[MountaineerTom]

No experience with that specific antenna, but I bought a shorter simple replacement antenna (18 inches I think) from Advance Auto Parts. The reception was not as good. I just painted the original one black and put it back on. Reception restored.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I would keep the OE factory antenna installed. Antenna heights are dictated by frequency wavelengths not style and a 13" antenna simply won't work well for anything but strong local signals.

 

[Boinked]

I replaced my antenna with a drake replacement after having signal issues. (It did not fix the problem) and i still have issues. Im sure its the head unit in my case ($30 unit). But the replacement fit perfectly.

Drake Off Road JP-190012 Antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NX97VIE/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Badmfbri]

Thanks guys. It looks like I am sticking to the OEM. After reading reviews for so many others, I sort of figured that would be the case. Thanks again.

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

I've been doing a ton of upgrades over the last few months. A lot of them have been for looks, but I always require function before looks, after all form follows function. I'm looking for a new antenna to to replace the OEM antenna. I don't want anything that you'd see on a JK or JL because those are "city Jeeps", the ones where they drive on a rough mall parking lot and call it four wheeling.

I found a 13" antenna, but it has no reviews. Has anyone used this particular antenna? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079L68PZC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

If not, have you replaced the OEM with another brand? I need something that looks good, but still provides better than adequate AM/FM reception.

Well I guess the question is what stations do you listen to? As Jerry states the shorter the antenna the more difficult it becomes to receive weaker or more distant signals. I installed a 13" many years ago because the stock one was hitting the A pillar. I have not noticed any issues BUT I listen to local stations and mostly AM. I personally think they are cheap enough to try and see. After 3 yrs or so the first one died and I've had this one for a couple yrs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00651BYGM/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Badmfbri]

Well I guess the question is what stations do you listen to? As Jerry states the shorter the antenna the more difficult it becomes to receive weaker or more distant signals. I installed a 13" many years ago because the stock one was hitting the A pillar. I have not noticed any issues BUT I listen to local stations and mostly AM. I personally think they are cheap enough to try and see. After 3 yrs or so the first one died and I've had this one for a couple yrs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00651BYGM/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I do not listen to AM much at all anymore, so it is really FM. Sadly, around Denver there are two or three stations that tend to fade in certain parts of town. They are mainly above 100MHz on the band. I am not positive the type of transmitter they are using. Several of my stations just changed their band and supposedly did so to get more people a better signal.

It still sounds like OEM might be the best. Of course for looks I could change it and then if the transmission fades I can switch to a different output for my music.

 

[astjp2]

I would keep the OE factory antenna installed. Antenna heights are dictated by frequency wavelengths not style and a 13" antenna simply won't work well for anything but strong local signals.

Jerry, It can if it is a fiberglass stem that has an internal wire that is longer than the 13" spun around the internal fiberglass rod. You can get antenna's that are yards long on one that is 36-48". One inportant thing is that you need an adequate ground plane, jeeps dont have good ground planes on the tub usually. Tim

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Tim if short antennas with coiled or folded conductors could be made to work as well as full-length/height antennas, we wouldn't need tall antennas... especially huge antennas like are used for lower frequencies. For example, the ELF (extra-low frequency) antennas used to communicate with submarines literally have 38 miles of wire laid out in a straight line. If they could have coiled or folded that wiring, they would have.

I've been building and installing antennas since the early 60's when I installed a home made15 meter beam and a multi-band HF antenna as a young ham. Then I went into RF HF/VHF/UHF communications after school, so I have a reasonable understanding of antennas and how they work.

And maybe surprisingly to you, our Wranglers provide excellent ground planes at even HF frequencies. Which is why we don't need to run NGP (no groundplane) antennas on our Wranglers.