Is there any type of short antenna that would give the same reception as having the factory antenna raised to its full length?
I don't want to pull the antenna out too far because it will bang on the roof and probably scratch it.
I'm looking for something that will not be sticking up too much and blend in with the car.

 

HEY I HAVE BEEN LOOKIN FOR THAT CONVERSION EVER SINCE I HAD THIS DAM CAR....CANT FIND ONE...THE MAJOR THING THAT MADE ME GO ON A HUNT IS WHEN I SEEN THIS KID IN A BLK ES AND HE HAD HIS ANTENNA ALL THE WAY OUT AND IT LOOKS SOOOOOOO DUMB FLAPPING AND BOUNCIN WHEN IT IS ALLTHE WAY OUT...I RATHER LISTEN TO MY CD'S.....MP3 BABY!!!!!!!

 

Thats what I'm doing right now, but I still like to listen to radio once and a while. I loose signal just outside of cities. It sux.

 

How's the reception when it's not fully extended? My old Prizm had the same style and I'd always push it back in about 6-8 inches from all the way out. Looked better, less chance of it banging the roof and reception seemed unaffected.

 

It's not too bad in the city, but when I get about 10 miles outside of the city some of the stations I listen to cut in and out.
What I'd like to do is have the antenna built into the windsheild, but that would mean replacing a new one(too expensive). I'm just looking for something that would give better reception.Smaller, and fit like the factory one. I have seen stubby ones around, but they looked out of place on some of the cars.

 

If you feel like spending the money and can get Mazda to sell you a replacement rear windshield, the new Mazdaspeed Protege will have the antenna built into the rear glass window. You can read about the MSP at the following link which among other things, mentions the new antenna.

www.protegetech.com

(then click on the MSP picture "Mazdaspeed Street Heat")