Hey Guys,

Quickie Question. I am replacing my non-power stock antenna and am still running the stock stereo. I searched, and they said that the *power* antenna was reverse-polarity, but that seemed to only be for the raising/lowering of the antenna itself.

The question is: If I buy an aftermarket antenna (just a regular rubber-coated cheapo one), can I hook it up the same way, or do I still need the SPDT relay thingie for it to work? (is the reverse polarity connected in some way to more than just the "power" part of the antenna's workings)

Jon

 

the polarity thing is only for the power antenna's control, not the antenna signal itself.

any cheap or expensive non-power antenna will work just like the stock one with the stock deck.

 

I had a GSL that the previous owner had removed a broken power antena, and instaled a long whip type non power antena, and it worked just fine.

This was with the stock head

I replaced the power antena in my 1984 GSL with an after market non revers polarity one, it works fine, just wired it to run off the ignition, untill I break down and pick up a new wireing harness for my sterio.

They both work great.

 

see Jimrothe.com. I put in one of his radio shacks and it worked just fine.

Ray

 

Well, not to be a post stealer, but where can I find a short (not long), decent quality rubber antenna that will look very nice on my rex?

Thanks,
FS

 

Mazdatrix sells one, I've got no experience with though and it is $20. Have you looked at some of the local autoparts places? I'm pretty like a Pep Boys or AutoZone might sell thes but I'm not positive.

 

Yea, I checked but nothing really seems like it'll be such a nice, clean fit. I really want one that makes my rex look even sportier

 

Damn man, the one I *had* on mine was a nice short, sleek rubber-type one.. It didn't look exactly like straight rubber though, it had a textured surface.. I really liked it. I hoped that it was a stock antenna, though even if it was, I have yet to see another like it.

Jon

 

it wasn't stock

 

The Mazda power antennas can be rebuilt, Ive done it to mine twice...

It only goes down when you turn the radio off, though, not when you shut the car off like it should.

 

Have your local car stereo shop get you a manual fully retractable antenna. They can be ordered, if they're not in stock and run $15-$21. They're simple, don't break internally, and are handy in carwashes, public lots, or in car storage.

 

I shaved my antennae, i didn't have much point in having one. I cannot stand the look of an antennae sticking up on a first gen, everytime i see one with an up antennae i look around for a kid with the remote control. Why are you replacing your stock antennae for another antennae? I'm not sure if the non-electric antennaes are retractable, but if that's what you're looking for i'll give you my electric antennae (it doesn't work as far as i know) for free, i just want money for shipping. This is assuming i can find it. If you would want it, i can start looking.

 

The reason I'm replacing mine is because it snapped in half. It was one of the rubberized ones, so it wasn't like a metal retractible one or anything. I actually hate the look of the metal antennas for much the same reason you do, they don't fit. The short rubber ones look fine IMO, and since I do alot of radio listening, I figured I could use one

Jon

 

Time to bring a thread back from the dead!!!

And with good reason. I found the EXACT antenna that my car had!

FS, if you're still looking for a not-too-long rubber antenna that doesn't look like a child's play-thing, look no further than RadioShack! Yes, RadioShack, the place I avoid for everything electronic!

"Rubber Automotive Radio Antenna" Part # 12-1327

I have always agreed with 0 16581, the metal ones look... wierd. This one is only 16" from base to tip and fits perfectly. When I get a friend with a digicam here, I'll take a pic of how it looks on the car. I'll tell ya one thing, this one looks a hell of a lot better than the rubber ones I saw at Canadian Tire and Joe's Car Audio.



Jon

 

The picture is an upright one of the antenna laying on it's side, so that black line up the left side is actually it's shadow.

Here's the one I broke:



Jon

 

Hey,

I'm also looking for an short rubber antenna for my 7 and this one looks pretty good. However, I searched radioshack's site and didn't find it. Could you post a product link or something? I may just call my local store.

 

Yeah, I think they discontinued that item actually. Didn't they?

 

Yep, I just called my local store and guy said it's been discontinued and he didn't see any kind of replacement for it. You must have found one of the last ones around, vipernicus. Oh well.

 

Perhaps it's not discontinued in Canada...? It's listed on www.radioshack.ca, that's where I got the picture of the full thing. I just checked RadioShack.com and it's not there... odd..

http://www.radioshack.ca/estore/Prod...log=RadioShack

That's the Canadian One. I'm willing to bet you can probably get one by ordering it off the net from there... Remember, that price is Canadian, so it's cheaper for you Yanks.

L8rs
Jon

 

I just checked the stores in the area... There are at least six stores listed as having them "in stock" here. If people are interested, I'll drive around, buy 'em here and ship 'em out to ya for 12USD (covers price and damn GST, PST here... 15 percent my ***...) + shipping :P Shipping should be dirt cheap, since it's not very heavy, or very large.

I'll post pics of how it looks on the car as soon as I can get someone over here with a digital camera. I love it, I'd love to see it on more club cars, instead of that "RC PlayCar" looking stock one. And anyone wanting weight savings, if you've got the stock retractible one, take out the motor and the stock antenna, and boom, another lb or two.

Jon

 

Hmm, I might be interested Jon. Get those pics up

 

I too have a snaped off electric antenna, just glued a black bead on the top . it sounds dumb, but actually looks ok. Its only a foot and a half long now, problem is - it never goes down! I am shortly going to replace it with a CENTRE antenna just above the rear vision mirror on the roof. They look great there - but unoriginal, I know. I'll then need to get the HOLE at the back filled!

 

Nice job, Jon! I'd be very interested if i cannot find it at my local rat shack...

Get pics!

 

Get a picture and I might consider getting one from ya.

 

Figured I would bring this thread back as I've got some new information to add to it.

I picked up a new antenna from Napa last weekend, just your typical like $12 rubber replacement one and thus far I'm pleased. Install was easy, just had to remove the tailight. Reception is good, better than my broken power one (before I would get horrible AM reception). Overall I'm satisfied.

Here a couple pictures for those interested:





As you can see, it blends in with the car pretty well, overall I'd say a good investment. If this one breaks or if its stolen, then I can just go pick up a replacement mast from any NAPA store. My only real complaint is that its flexible, so it blows in the wind and has developed a curve in it over the past week. That's really a minor issue though.