I have the Airtronics MX-3 FM system in my Matrix buggy. I am wondering if I can run my antenna mast shorter? I am sick of the tubes getting all bent and kinked and I want to run it shorter. Will I lose range on my radio or are there any other drawbacks or probs with running it shorter and leaving more antenna in the battery box?

I knew a guy 13 years ago that said/showed me a piece of left over body, 2" or 3" by 4" the he wraped around, stepping up in groves all the way up to the top 4 inches that stayed inside the body, mounted. He told me he didn't lose any range, but he didn't go all the way out when he showed me. I never tried, I think you'll lose to much range.

Much like any radiostation tower leaving a antenna wire at its full length gives the greatest range. Hiding or shortening a wire will diminish range though most people do not need to control their cars at the full range of their radio equipment which can be up to 1/2 mile.

I used to do this also, I never had any problems going a hundred yards or more, much further than that and you can't really see the car. On my current truck I just tied the pigtail from the antenna straw to the front shock tower and still have the same range.

I am not talking about cutting my antenna, I would never do that. I am more looking to run less exposed antenna and less tube length...

I did not think you were and neither was I.

You can trim down the tube I run a 11 incher