Short antenna - Page 5

clu1234 · 08-08-2007

I don't have bumper booster, but I swear there's no difference for me when it comes to AM/FM reception. Maybe I didn't try enough stations, but all the ones I remembered (haven't used FM/AM since I got Sat Radio in my last car) worked just fine. Remote range, on the other hand, is significantly reduced - especially on the passenger side (for U.S., that's awy from the antenna). Sometimes I have to be almost within arms reach from the passenger side to unlock. From the back and the driver side (which is typically the side I approach), there's no problem at all. Why would you want to unlock from 20 meters? Before the short antenna, I'd always worry that I would unlock by accident as I walk away, but now I no longer worry about that.

p.s. Come to think of it, those who want long-range probably has top mod installed for one-touch-lower of the roof?

clu1234 · 08-08-2007

Oh, and the short antenna without booster still works from 20 from the back. I unlock from my apt on the second floor as I walk towards the ground-level garage. Straight-line it should be about 20 meters. I think screwing the antenna really tight helps a lot, though I don't see why that would matter so much.

**Ynot** · 08-08-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by clu1234

I don't have bumper booster, but I swear there's no difference for me when it comes to AM/FM reception. Maybe I didn't try enough stations, but all the ones I remembered (haven't used FM/AM since I got Sat Radio in my last car) worked just fine. Remote range, on the other hand, is significantly reduced - especially on the passenger side (for U.S., that's awy from the antenna). Sometimes I have to be almost within arms reach from the passenger side to unlock. From the back and the driver side (which is typically the side I approach), there's no problem at all. Why would you want to unlock from 20 meters? Before the short antenna, I'd always worry that I would unlock by accident as I walk away, but now I no longer worry about that.

p.s. Come to think of it, those who want long-range probably has top mod installed for one-touch-lower of the roof?

And I could confirm to that, the r170 short stubby antenna doesn't affect am/fm radio stations. I still listen to morning talk shows on the way to work, absolutely no difference. The key fob range reduced a lot but not enough to bother me, I don't normall used to key fob until I'm next to my SLK.

HwoALanG · 08-18-2007

i hate to say this but i do have sl antenna installed and reception is useless... i would recommand R170 antenna

solidtechchris · 09-29-2008

Here's my stubby Antenna from an SL on my SLK. But I also get really bad reception on my ariel. Is there nothing I can do to improve it? I can't even get the national radio station.

**etyu** · 09-29-2008

Check this link: http://www.slkworld.com/general-modi...antenna-5.html

There's info on improving the SL antenna but not by much. More significant with the short R170 antenna.

ellimb · 10-09-2008

Has any one got a picture of the r170 antenna? I have the sl ant. but if the r170 looks as good, I may change to the r170
cheers

**dmjonez** · 10-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellimb

Has any one got a picture of the r170 antenna? I have the sl ant. but if the r170 looks as good, I may change to the r170
cheers

etyu's car in the previous post has an r170 antenna. The photo in his signature shows it.

eddyther · 10-09-2008

ellimb, go first to that thread:

http://www.slkworld.com/general-modi...html#post84093

This is the mod I made, and I have to say that the improvement applied to the SL's antenna is good enough for me

ellimb · 10-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmjonez

etyu's car in the previous post has an r170 antenna. The photo in his signature shows it.

Geee the r170 ant. looks like a sl ant.

**etyu** · 10-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellimb

Geee the r170 ant. looks like a sl ant.

R170 ant is about 4-5 cm longer than the R230 ant. The R170 short ant is covered by a black matte flexible rubber sleeve. The R230 ant is covered by prepainted metal sleeve.

**dmjonez** · 10-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellimb

Geee the r170 ant. looks like a sl ant.

It sure does. There's about an inch or two difference (sorry I don't have the exact measurements, but they're probably in this thread already). But that inch difference will let you coil wire inside to make a much longer antenna. There is a GREAT thread in this forum about how to do just that. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll find it for you...

Never mind, I just went back and saw that it's included in etyu's post. The same one with the photo...

Or eddyther's post...

If I look again, sombody else will have posted it before I finish this...

Khon_Nan · 10-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by clu1234

I absolutely love it!! The SLK is now perfect.

( Post #67 )

Looks good, im gonna do that on mine aswell.

**mobidutch** · 10-11-2008

I did this mod....it looks SOOOOOOO much better than the whip antenna!! Simple, affordable, and high impact. Highly recommended!!

coolboarder · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by clu1234

I don't have bumper booster, but I swear there's no difference for me when it comes to AM/FM reception. Maybe I didn't try enough stations, but all the ones I remembered (haven't used FM/AM since I got Sat Radio in my last car) worked just fine. Remote range, on the other hand, is significantly reduced - especially on the passenger side (for U.S., that's awy from the antenna). Sometimes I have to be almost within arms reach from the passenger side to unlock. From the back and the driver side (which is typically the side I approach), there's no problem at all. Why would you want to unlock from 20 meters? Before the short antenna, I'd always worry that I would unlock by accident as I walk away, but now I no longer worry about that.

p.s. Come to think of it, those who want long-range probably has top mod installed for one-touch-lower of the roof?

When I first replaced the whip with the R170, I found no difference in AM/FM reception in the SF Bay Area. But everyone was saying how cheap and easy the mod is and it makes great improvement, so I did the mod (22 guage wire the length as indicated somewhere here, soldered), still no difference other than improved remote lock/unlock range. I really don't need long range remote lock/unlock for the same reason quoted here. But I guess SF Bay Area has really really strong transmission tower.

**etyu** · 4 Weeks Ago

Gauge 20 IIRC is the max thickness although I doubt if AM/FM reception would be any better than gauge 22 solid wire.

See post #175 of this thread: http://www.slkworld.com/general-modi...antenna-9.html

ellimb · 4 Weeks Ago

Hi Folks
Guess what about the r170?

I have not seen a r170 in Australia with an antenna !!! Cos it is embedded in the rear windscreen. So, my short antenna is sl type. In southern hemishere, the windscreen antenna works better!!!

Also the r 171 in Australia has no side markers.

mtiede · 4 Weeks Ago

hmm... I wonder how that wiring works with the bending of the top and all.

09-29-2008	#86 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Check this link: http://www.slkworld.com/general-modi...antenna-5.html There's info on improving the SL antenna but not by much. More significant with the short R170 antenna. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

4 Weeks Ago	#96 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Gauge 20 IIRC is the max thickness although I doubt if AM/FM reception would be any better than gauge 22 solid wire. See post #175 of this thread: http://www.slkworld.com/general-modi...antenna-9.html __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

08-08-2007	#81 (permalink)
clu1234 SLK World Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 43 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I don't have bumper booster, but I swear there's no difference for me when it comes to AM/FM reception. Maybe I didn't try enough stations, but all the ones I remembered (haven't used FM/AM since I got Sat Radio in my last car) worked just fine. Remote range, on the other hand, is significantly reduced - especially on the passenger side (for U.S., that's awy from the antenna). Sometimes I have to be almost within arms reach from the passenger side to unlock. From the back and the driver side (which is typically the side I approach), there's no problem at all. Why would you want to unlock from 20 meters? Before the short antenna, I'd always worry that I would unlock by accident as I walk away, but now I no longer worry about that. p.s. Come to think of it, those who want long-range probably has top mod installed for one-touch-lower of the roof?

08-08-2007	#82 (permalink)
clu1234 SLK World Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 43 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Oh, and the short antenna without booster still works from 20 from the back. I unlock from my apt on the second floor as I walk towards the ground-level garage. Straight-line it should be about 20 meters. I think screwing the antenna really tight helps a lot, though I don't see why that would matter so much.

08-18-2007	#84 (permalink)
HwoALanG Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellicott City & Salisbury, MD Vehicle: 2007 SLK 280 Other Toys: COMPUTER? And1 and on Posts: 306 Country: Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	i hate to say this but i do have sl antenna installed and reception is useless... i would recommand R170 antenna

09-29-2008	#85 (permalink)
solidtechchris SLK World Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bournemouth, UK Vehicle: SLK Kompressor in Silver, Sports Pack, with 19" Wheels Posts: 2 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here's my stubby Antenna from an SL on my SLK. But I also get really bad reception on my ariel. Is there nothing I can do to improve it? I can't even get the national radio station.

10-09-2008	#87 (permalink)
ellimb Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Vehicle: A200, SLK R171 350 Posts: 138 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Has any one got a picture of the r170 antenna? I have the sl ant. but if the r170 looks as good, I may change to the r170 cheers

10-09-2008	#89 (permalink)
eddyther SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madrid (Spain) Vehicle: SLK 200 (R171) Posts: 14 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	ellimb, go first to that thread: http://www.slkworld.com/general-modi...html#post84093 This is the mod I made, and I have to say that the improvement applied to the SL's antenna is good enough for me

10-11-2008	#94 (permalink)
mobidutch Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Angleton, TX USA Vehicle: 2006 SLK350 +C/H Posts: 100 Country: Thanks: 17 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	I did this mod....it looks SOOOOOOO much better than the whip antenna!! Simple, affordable, and high impact. Highly recommended!!

4 Weeks Ago	#97 (permalink)
ellimb Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Vehicle: A200, SLK R171 350 Posts: 138 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Folks Guess what about the r170? I have not seen a r170 in Australia with an antenna !!! Cos it is embedded in the rear windscreen. So, my short antenna is sl type. In southern hemishere, the windscreen antenna works better!!! Also the r 171 in Australia has no side markers.

4 Weeks Ago	#98 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,642 Thanks: 100 Thanked 55 Times in 45 Posts	hmm... I wonder how that wiring works with the bending of the top and all.

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