I put a 3" stubby antenna on mine some time ago and never noticed any difference in reception. I live in Baton Rouge and have no trouble receiving the only 'out of town' station(it is FM) I ever listen to and it is from New Orleans, 65 miles away. It is the second stubby I have had, the first one fell apart, well the tip came off but IT still worked without a problem...just looked bad. I listen to AM, FM and XM and all are good. And I do realize XM is a different antenna.