Antenna mast broke for the last time! Recommendations?

[FC Zach]

Found my antenna mast broken again. . . not long after recently repairing it :icon_no2:

If it's not one thing, it's another. Either the mast doesn't go all the way down, all the time or its broke. I dealt with the mast not completely retracting for many years and finally fixed that issue not long ago by trying different assemblies I had laying around, only to find it broken yesterday.

I'm done with power antennas and would like a tasteful OEM look that is fixed, like this:
http://www.good-win-racing.com/miata/images/items/300x300/Antenna.jpg

What have you done?

[FC Zach]

I'm definitely saving myself from the frustration of even considering repairing this again by going with a fixed piece because the last time, I recall myself ripping the POS from the car and throwing it the entire length of my driveway all while yelling obscenities like a mad man. . I don't want to do that again, not with the new neighbors.

[rx7 vinnie]

iPhone and aux cable has the best radio reception.

[t_g_farrell]

iPhone and aux cable has the best radio reception.

Ditto! Ipod with homemade aux cable to stock 80 head unit on my SA. Rocks
Rammstein!

Sometimes its just the internal plastic mast that needs replaced, as they
break at the point of max externsion and then refuse to retract unless you
push it down. Also, having it automatically go up and down with the radio
power on/off wears them out a lot quicker.

[FC Zach]

Sometimes its just the internal plastic mast that needs replaced, as they
break at the point of max externsion and then refuse to retract unless you
push it down.

Sounds easy enough but even if I wanted to deal with this again the mast is no longer available.

[Pete_89T2]

Been there, done that :banghead:

Is this on an FC? If it is, your options are rather limited if you have the factory wrap around spoiler.... Can't mount a rubber ducky antenna and keep the spoiler, so that narrows choices down to:

1. Fix the stock power antenna. The plastic "chain" in there is the part that breaks. I got the replacement mast kit for mine a few years ago from Ray Crowe. Mazdatrix and Atkins stocked them too, but as usual brother Ray had the best deal.

2. If the mast kit is now NLA, you might try a generic power antenna. Look for a quality unit and expect to pay for it. Try Crutchfield.com and call them for recommendations on a suitable replacement. They do exist, I just don't remember what brands/models.

3. This is a long shot, as it didn't work for me, but some FCs (S5's at least) have a 2nd dipole antenna element embedded in the stock windshield. If you have that, you can plug that antenna in and see if you get decent reception. I didn't - reception sucked. To see if you have it, look for 2 thin wires running vertical along the center of the windshield)

4. Another option is an aftermarket roof-mount patch element or rubber ducky antenna. Or you can source one of those antennas from a late-model wreck in a pick & pull yard. I didn't seriously consider this because I didn't want to have to drill holes in my roof.

[djmtsu]

Zach has the S4 duckbill spoiler. Maybe look into something like you have pictured Zach, and recontour the base so it fits the body?

[chibikougan]

Remove Mast Plug Hole Wire in...


http://www.rvpartsnation.com/rv-electronics/rv-antennas-satellites/jensen-am-fm-amplified-antenna/?gclid=CLfMo9jslNECFUOewAod9C8L4g

[FC Zach]

Been there, done that :banghead:

Is this on an FC? If it is, your options are rather limited if you have the factory wrap around spoiler.... Can't mount a rubber ducky antenna and keep the spoiler, so that narrows choices down to:

Zach has the S4 duckbill spoiler. Maybe look into something like you have pictured Zach, and recontour the base so it fits the body?

Yep, I have the duckbill.

1. Fix the stock power antenna. The plastic "chain" in there is the part that breaks. I got the replacement mast kit for mine a few years ago from Ray Crowe. Mazdatrix and Atkins stocked them too, but as usual brother Ray had the best deal.

Checked, not in stock

2. If the mast kit is now NLA, you might try a generic power antenna. Look for a quality unit and expect to pay for it. Try Crutchfield.com and call them for recommendations on a suitable replacement. They do exist, I just don't remember what brands/models.

Honestly, I'm over a power antenna. . I've had nothing but trouble with one in this car.

3. This is a long shot, as it didn't work for me, but some FCs (S5's at least) have a 2nd dipole antenna element embedded in the stock windshield. If you have that, you can plug that antenna in and see if you get decent reception. I didn't - reception sucked. To see if you have it, look for 2 thin wires running vertical along the center of the windshield)

This was an option and what I had to do I my Celica but unfortunately can't be done in the RX7

4. Another option is an aftermarket roof-mount patch element or rubber ducky antenna. Or you can source one of those antennas from a late-model wreck in a pick & pull yard. I didn't seriously consider this because I didn't want to have to drill holes in my roof.

Yep, same here. . I don't want to drill into the body especially when there is already a hole for that. .

Remove Mast Plug Hole Wire in...


http://www.rvpartsnation.com/rv-electronics/rv-antennas-satellites/jensen-am-fm-amplified-antenna/?gclid=CLfMo9jslNECFUOewAod9C8L4g

I do like these but I'm not fond of plugging the hole.

[FC Zach]

I stopped by a local audio store and picked up an inexpensive universal antenna kit with intentions of using the base only. . where I'll eventually add a short stubby antenna. That's the idea so far.

https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/383/31085374274_6688af66a2_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/465/31552148200_113a79f5fd_c.jpg

This is the style shorty I have in mind. . what do y'all think?

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB15tdkKVXXXXaxXFXXq6xXFXXX2/4-7-inch-Mazdaspeed-Carbon-Fiber-Short-Aerial-Car-font-b-Antenna-b-font-Matt-Black.jpg

[TitaniumTT]

Sirius

All I'm saying

[Pete_89T2]

It looks good, and it will work. The real question is will it get you the kind of radio reception quality you're used to as compared to the old mast antenna? Only way to find out for sure is to try it.

[FC Zach]

Sirius

All I'm saying

It looks good, and it will work. The real question is will it get you the kind of radio reception quality you're used to as compared to the old mast antenna? Only way to find out for sure is to try it.

This as well as a phone and an aux cable are good ideas. . I use the aux port often so it's not too important that reception is 100%

However it is important that I fill the hole with something other than a plug, even if the short antenna isn't completely functional it should still work some. We will see. I'll order one of these Mazdaspeed pieces soon.

[FerociousP]

http://www.cravenspeed.com/the-stubby-antenna-for-mazda/

Had one of these on my miata... nice quality and has nice powdercoat finish...

[FC Zach]

Nice, if the eBay piece falls apart I'll try this one.

[vex]

Remove Mast Plug Hole Wire in...


http://www.rvpartsnation.com/rv-electronics/rv-antennas-satellites/jensen-am-fm-amplified-antenna/?gclid=CLfMo9jslNECFUOewAod9C8L4g

I've always liked this idea, but it looks like you can't actually hide the antenna as it would need to be mounted in the window.

[speedjunkie]

I have that same Jensen antenna and it works quite well. I have it mounted at the very top of my windshield, above the rearview mirror. You can't see it from the outside of the car and it's not very noticeable inside either.

I used to have a hidden antenna in the very back of the car behind the plastics and it wasn't near as good as this one. Being powered makes a difference.

[vex]

I have that same Jensen antenna and it works quite well. I have it mounted at the very top of my windshield, above the rearview mirror. You can't see it from the outside of the car and it's not very noticeable inside either.

I used to have a hidden antenna in the very back of the car behind the plastics and it wasn't near as good as this one. Being powered makes a difference.

Sorry didn't quite explain the last sentence: I was referring to the in-windshield dipole antenna. I'm sure the powered antenna functions fantastically, and would be really interested in it if I could mount it in such a way as to be invisible once the car is together. Unfortunately, given how physics work, I don't think that's going to be in the cards.

[infernosg]

This is why, in six months of ownership, I've never once turned on the radio in my SA. I know it goes up and down from the previous owner but I also know it sticks.

[t_g_farrell]

This is why, in six months of ownership, I've never once turned on the radio in my SA. I know it goes up and down from the previous owner but I also know it sticks.

You know the radio doesn't control the antenna right? You have to raise/lower
it by using the switch in the console. I leave mine up most of the time so I can
listen to the radio (stock Clarion). It does get stuck up but I just have to give
it a slight push down and it catches and retracts. I just make sure to not fully
extend it by a a couple of inches. Also, mine is a replacement I sourced in the
80s because someone broke off the mast when I didn't retract it in a city
parking lot I used for work in Pittsburgh at the time. Back then replacements
were easy to find and were close to stock. Now, not so much.

[speedjunkie]

Sorry didn't quite explain the last sentence: I was referring to the in-windshield dipole antenna. I'm sure the powered antenna functions fantastically, and would be really interested in it if I could mount it in such a way as to be invisible once the car is together. Unfortunately, given how physics work, I don't think that's going to be in the cards.

Oh OK gotcha. Does anyone sell our windshields with those built in?

Yeah I was hoping to hide mine too, but I figured it wouldn't work as well if I tried to hide it under the headliner, and it won't fit there at the front anyway with the interior lights right there.

[infernosg]

You know the radio doesn't control the antenna right? You have to raise/lower
it by using the switch in the console. I leave mine up most of the time so I can
listen to the radio (stock Clarion). It does get stuck up but I just have to give
it a slight push down and it catches and retracts. I just make sure to not fully
extend it by a a couple of inches. Also, mine is a replacement I sourced in the
80s because someone broke off the mast when I didn't retract it in a city
parking lot I used for work in Pittsburgh at the time. Back then replacements
were easy to find and were close to stock. Now, not so much.

This is good to know! I'm used to the FC, which controls antenna with the radio. I'd assumed the antenna up/down switch was kind of like the headlight up/down switch - redundant. I still have the stock radio as well and I've been wanting to try out this Bluetooth cassette thing I got for Christmas.

[vex]

Oh OK gotcha. Does anyone sell our windshields with those built in?Yup. You can. I think somewhere in the neighborhood of $2-$300. Not much more than the one that doesn't. (Check safelite)

[speedjunkie]

No shit? I had no idea. But I guess it's a waste if the antenna doesn't work that well lol.

[FC Zach]

No shit? I had no idea. But I guess it's a waste if the antenna doesn't work that well lol.

Would it work in conjunction with one of those antenna amplifiers? I may try one of those with the stubby antenna if it doesn't work well. .

Something like this?
http://img.dxcdn.com/productimages/sku_223986_4.jpg

[speedjunkie]

I have no idea haha. Mine works just fine the way it is, but I'm not sure how the one in the windshield would be helped. I guess that amplifier is worth a shot.

[FC Zach]

Finished product. It worked out well with little money spent, I'm happy with the result :cheers2:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/403/32283448145_c383d26aa2_c.jpg

[project86]

Finished product. It worked out well with little money spent, I'm happy with the result :cheers2:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/403/32283448145_c383d26aa2_c.jpg

Oh I want that!

[TitaniumTT]

Finished product. It worked out well with little money spent, I'm happy with the result :cheers2:

:awesome:

Looks awesome man!!

Now I need to figure out an equally sexy way to mount my damn Sirius ant in my 8