STUBBY GONE

[JohnDonovan]

Where did you get your stubby from ? It might be the quality of it ?

I picked up one of these as the threads match and my reception is perfect

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150988837046?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

Looks like exactly the same Peugeot/Citroen one I've got. Radio is mostly fine, it's the BMW online stuff which more often than not cant seem to find a signal.

 

[Lightning87]

i removed, the stubby, my reception was verry poor, so i put the whip back on, but have the stubby incase i go to a meeting or something.

( by the way reception is always poor in holland as you brits should know )

 

[supersebbo]

Some useful info here:
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E89/Roadster/Europe/Z4_35i-N54/LHD/N/2009/february/browse/audio_navigation_electronic_systems/single_components_f_short_rod_antenna/

It appears there are different part numbers for the external antenna depending on whether the vehicle had mobile phone preparation. This would imply the external antenna is used for the internal data systems (BMW assist, traffic updates etc) and/or the snap-in mobile adapter. Though there are also two antennas in the bumper for telephone...

And here:
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E89/Roadster/Europe/Z4_35i-N54/LHD/N/2009/february/browse/audio_navigation_electronic_systems/single_parts_aerial_gps_dab_sdars_tv_tel/

This illustration shows the internal antennas cover GPS, DAB, TV, telephone. Note there is no mention of AM or FM on the internal section. So my best guess is that the external antenna handles ALL analogue radio reception and acts as a diversity antenna for mobile reception.

So installing a stubby will affect AM/FM analogue reception and potentially impact mobile reception. As AM signals are the longest wavelength they will be the worst affected by installing a smaller antenna, FM less so. As there is a special part number for the mobile enabled antenna, and the antenna that you buy off eBay probably is not engineered the same way, its possible mobile reception through that antenna might be lost entirely.