I might be sorry, but I cut 16" off the bottom of both my factory whip antennas on my '08 Ultra. The factory whips were just too long for me and always in the way, but I didn't wanna go with the shorty 16" rubber antennas. Hope it doesn't ruin my reception. I'm almost positive I read on here once that someone did that and it didn't hurt reception at all. I'm sure I'll never use the CB so the Standing Wave adjustment isn't an issue.
Anybody have any feedback on this?

 

I cut mine down to 8in still works great took the cb antenna off never use it

 

A guy I work with cut his down 12" and he said it works the same as when it was full length. HTH

 

I cut mine down and took off the cb antenna being I never use it anyway. Reception is as good as it was with the whip. I did try the power antenna that goes in the fairing, and my reception was terrible, so I took it out and cut my antenna down. I don't think you see the difference really.

 

Antennas are made to a certain wave length depending on the radio frequence being used. The more precice the cut the better it supposed to be. But if it still works fine, F-it.

 

Now if you're gonna have an antenna, how much difference in looks could there be if it was 18" shorter? And they are a certain length for a reason. Never use the CB? I like mine when we ride in a group, pretty handy, and some of the comments and banter can be down right hilarious. Corse I am kinda the redneck, truck driving CB type anyway!!

 

CB is the only thing it might hurt. If SWR is not right it will eventually burn out the final amp.

 

Make sure you check the connection to be sure it's tight. I cut mine down and lost one shortly (no pun intended) there after. The shaft of the antenna is thinner the higher up you go, so you might want to add something as a spacer.

I have the J&M shorties now, reception is great and they look way better then the AntennaX brand.

 

No..you won't have any problem as long as you don't transmit on the CB. The shortened length will effect your SWR. Since the loading coil is essentially the rest of the antenna. The full wave antenna length for CB (27Mhz) is actually 11 meters and the antenna's are usually a fraction of that. 1/4, 1/2, or 5/8 are the norm. So 16" won't make too much of a difference..but it won't be matched to the radio anymore..

 

I put the J&M shorties on mine. I haven't used the CB yet, but that doesn't mean I won't, I want it to work when and if I decide I need it.