Where to get a new antenna base aside from the dealer?
#1
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Where to get a new antenna base aside from the dealer?
Sunset wants about $116 for a new one. I noticed my brother's VW Corrado has the same roof antenna, so I called the local VW dealer and they want $130.
I usually don't mind paying up for new parts, but that's a lot of money for an antenna. I couldn't help but notice very similar antennas on ebay in the range of $20, except they have the wrong angle (too vertical). I have a used one, but I don't want to do this job again later.
I remember reading somewhere that there is a cheap version of the properly shaped antenna out there. I forgot where I read that and whether it said where to find one. Does anyone know?
I usually don't mind paying up for new parts, but that's a lot of money for an antenna. I couldn't help but notice very similar antennas on ebay in the range of $20, except they have the wrong angle (too vertical). I have a used one, but I don't want to do this job again later.
I remember reading somewhere that there is a cheap version of the properly shaped antenna out there. I forgot where I read that and whether it said where to find one. Does anyone know?
#2
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After hours of scouring the web, trying different makes/models, and sifting through different brands and part numbers, I think I found one worth trying. I found the brand Metra on Crutchfield, then eventually found a Metra antenna on Amazon which is the right angle (only a rough visual comparison) and has the right connectors. I think I'm going to give it a shot.
http://www.amazon.com/Metra-44UA30-C.../dp/B0007WRQ8U
I couldn't seem to find the Fuba Betaflex-D (or Beta-flex D) for sale anywhere, which I believe is the OE. Maybe it's NLA.
http://www.amazon.com/Metra-44UA30-C.../dp/B0007WRQ8U
I couldn't seem to find the Fuba Betaflex-D (or Beta-flex D) for sale anywhere, which I believe is the OE. Maybe it's NLA.
#3
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Try this:
http://www.antennax.com/p-1168-fuba-...tenna-kit.aspx
I don't know if they sell just the mount. I actually may have a spare mount, brand new, left over from a kit that I bought for a customer. He only needed/wanted the antennae. I've used this place for replacement antennas as they sell the Fuba mast separately from the kit.
- Darryl
http://www.antennax.com/p-1168-fuba-...tenna-kit.aspx
I don't know if they sell just the mount. I actually may have a spare mount, brand new, left over from a kit that I bought for a customer. He only needed/wanted the antennae. I've used this place for replacement antennas as they sell the Fuba mast separately from the kit.
- Darryl
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No, I don't believe it is amplified. There are no specs listed as to signal gain or any technical characteristics, just that it's a direct replacement. My assumption is that the factory booster will work fine with this version. Are you having reception problems too?
- Darryl
- Darryl
#6
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Well I assume you're referring to the factory booster used in the cab. The coupe does not have that same separate booster - the booster was inside the antenna. I guess it would be possible to get a booster from a 944 (since they use a similar windshield antenna and thus a similar booster unit) but I don't want to do that.
Yes, reception problems, I tried temporarily connecting a spare antenna and it improved the reception greatly. So I wanted to just replace it with a new one because I don't think a used one will last very long.
Yes, reception problems, I tried temporarily connecting a spare antenna and it improved the reception greatly. So I wanted to just replace it with a new one because I don't think a used one will last very long.
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There is a booster for the coupe. It is a small black box located behind the trim panel that covers the sunroof lifting arms. It is directly under the antennae mounting location.
I've got crappy reception too but I suspect that the previous owner didn't connect the power to the booster and replacing my antennae didn't improve the reception all that well. That's when I found the booster location as I had thought about running a new cable all the way to the head unit.
I'll sort things out when I swap in a new head unit in the near future.
I've got crappy reception too but I suspect that the previous owner didn't connect the power to the booster and replacing my antennae didn't improve the reception all that well. That's when I found the booster location as I had thought about running a new cable all the way to the head unit.
I'll sort things out when I swap in a new head unit in the near future.
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#8
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Hmm. Are you sure? I don't have any kind of black box under my antenna. I've seen pics of a fuba antenna cut open and it has a circuit board inside - I can't think of why else an antenna would need a circuit board.
I confirmed that my head unit's power antenna wire is indeed connected to the antenna booster wire.
Thanks for all your help.
I confirmed that my head unit's power antenna wire is indeed connected to the antenna booster wire.
Thanks for all your help.
#9
Arash
I replaced my antenna with one from a accura MDX - I don't have a good pix of it on the car here at work but below is the antenna - its FUBA, I neeeded an adapter that I got from crutchfield's and had to splice the power connections...
I still have my old bee sting somewhere (less the power contacts) it was working fine when I changed it out - just like the look better....
Sam
I replaced my antenna with one from a accura MDX - I don't have a good pix of it on the car here at work but below is the antenna - its FUBA, I neeeded an adapter that I got from crutchfield's and had to splice the power connections...
I still have my old bee sting somewhere (less the power contacts) it was working fine when I changed it out - just like the look better....
Sam
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I'll snap a pic of what's under my rear trim cover next time I have it apart, which may be soon as I need to adjust my sunroof arms yet again.
I like that MDX antennae as well...nice to have an option or two.
- Darryl
I like that MDX antennae as well...nice to have an option or two.
- Darryl
#12
I got it off ebay probably fours years ago now. At the time it cost about $30 and the adapter(I believe it was a VW adapter) from crutchfield was another $10 or so...here's a couple of actual pix
#15
Not to thread jack, but does anyone know how to remove and reinstall the base? A windstorm caused my car cover to separate the base and I'm not sure how to reinstall. Do I need to remove the headliner?
Thanks,
Jeff
Thanks,
Jeff