Frank wrote:
>
> I noticed more and more new cars with small antennas mounted on
> the roof (BMW, Civics, Toyota Matrix, PontiacVibes, etc..). They
> are perhaps like 20 inches long or even smaller (some seem as
> little as perhaps 7 or 10 inches long). I was under the
> impression that car antennas needed to be like 30 inches or more.
> Do short antennas work well? Are these for show only? Is there
> another antenna hidden somewhere else?
>
> I am thinking replacing my current (in-glass) antenna with one of
> these (the Civic SI ones are really nice and are perhaps 7 inches
> long). Do you think it is a simple as installing any other
> aftermarket antennas (drill hole, install antenna and connect
> lead)?
>
> TIA

----------------------------

Frank,

Without knowing what car, or the year, it's hard to guess whether yours
(is it even a Honda?) has the output for the powered antenna amplifier
on the stereo. You'd also have to get the (+power) wire to wherever you
decide to install the antenna.
My (unamplified) CR-v antenna extends to about 2.5 feet, but under 10"
is sufficient unless I'm trying to pull in something on another
continent :-)

'Curly'