Here's a simple mod I did to Big Girl's antenna today.
Credit to Jeremy/Tampa Jax Wax and Kevin/Ramstrat for the know how. It's quite simple actually.
remove antenna
use vise and claw hammer to remove bead/ball
cut antenna to desired length
use grinder to taper new end (top) of cut antenna
super glue bead/ball on
paint, if desired
re-install
And with that, I now have an $38 AMI Big Stick Shorty antenna to return for credit/refund.