OK, my ebay-purchased radio shack antennas arrived. They are the real McCoy, new in the box, complete and unused. I got them from ebay from a vender in California (Bass Sales in Rialto) for $15 each plus $14 shipping, so they were actually cheaper than the original purchase of the discontinued item from radio shack, which was 19.99 plus $5.00 shipping (see jim Rothe's web page).

According to the auctions on ebay, Bass Sales has a hundred or more of these, being sold for all kinds of cars. When you put in your order be sure it is radio shack cat no. 12-1330 and ask that it includes the installation and maintenance instructions along with all mounting hardware. The pictures he shows suggest this might not be the case, so I inquired about specifics and he told me, correctly, that he had what I was looking for.

See Jim Rothe's web page for excellent instructions on how to put these in - I've installed two and both worked perfectly. The unit itself is very well made with excellent wiring and installation hardware, most of which you won't need, so you end up with spare parts. I'd just as soon see these going into RX-7s instead of those ugly plastic whip antennas that cost just as much or more!

Ray

 

Right on, Ray!

I've ordered and installed 3 of these things, they work great.

People who need an antenna better jump on this deal!

 

Can someone give me a link to the seller on ebay so that i can buy the antenna. I did a search and i found nothing on the seller. Also i couldn't find anything on jim rothe's site. Type back some info please Thanks ~Gavin

 

What is his ebay seller name and how much are they?

 

people listen to the radio?

 

Hi Gavin, Bass Sales phone number is 1-800-499-2277 - why not just give them a call? Or search for "power antenna" or "radio shack antenna". You will get quite a few hits but if you search through you will see a photo of an out-of-the-box antenna with some wires and a somewhat beat up blue radio shack box. They are listed as specific for a bunch of different cars, but none under RX-7, which is why you didn't get a hit. But the antenna is "universal", not RX-7 specific, so it can be sold as a replacement for lots of cars. When I was looking a few weeks ago there was another vendor in Florida who had a few auctions for the same unit with photos of the antenna still in the box, so you may find others besides Bass Sales. Just be sure to verify with the vendor that it is radio shack cat. no. 12-1330, and use Jim Rothe's installation instructions, they are very clear and easy to follow, even if you don't really know what you are doing (like me).

On Jim Rothe's site you need to go down to one of his many sections, I think it is on miscellaneous projects or something like that. I had a bit of trouble refinding it when I went back to look, but it is there, near the bottom of the site.

Ray

 

Ray, I cant find Jim's site. I know I have it bookmarked from a long time ago, but I cant find it. Can you post the link so people can look at the instructons?

 

His Mazda bible is here.

The info on the power antenna is here.

HTH.

 

Hey dude not to be rude or nothing but 15.00+14.00=29

19.99+5.00=24.99 the actual purchace price was cheaper but you go raped on shipping.

I ordered one 6 monthes ago from radioshack, still have yet to install it though.

 

Seanrot, your math is exactly correct except I got two antennas for $44. So I saved $6.00. You never know when you'll need another radio shack antenna. I just love the way it goes up when I turn the radio on, then back down when I turn it off. Not that I'm crazy or anything, but Atlanta commuting will do this to you. Steve and Vicky, Cindy and Ray, you know.

Ray

 

Ray then a good deal

 

A note I got from another rotorhead:

I also ordered two from the same guy on ebay. $15 ea + $10 s&h. $40 total is not bad at all. thanks for the info!!

Ray

 

anyone have an antenna they can sell me...?? I can not find one and I "need" one....thanks

 

This one on amazon looks like it would work.

http://www.amazon.com/Metra-Universa...DateDescending

The Jim Rothe write up previously mentioned says it fits I think.

http://www.jimrothe.com/mazda/antenna/

 

You might want to try this:
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hlight=antenna

 

shonuff

 

My antenna is strange. When I turn off the radio, I hear the motor for about 3 or 4 seconds but the antenna doesn't retract. I probably shouldn't complain. It is up and I can get stations tuned in.

 

I have an SA so it doesn't do the auto up and down but if I put mine up to high it will do
the same thing when I try to lower it. I just have to manually push it down an inch
or so and then it will retract. Mines a replacement I did back in 86 or 87 and its
very similiar to the Radio Shack one if I remember right but I think I got it at Walmart

 

Up but no down usually means the retractor 'cable' has separated from the top mast section internally; it can still push the antenna up due to it's stiffness, but can't pull it down as it's not connected at the end.

Either that, or it's binding and the overrun clutch is slipping to prevent breakage. You might try oilling the mast segments - could help.

 

Thanks DD! I'll try some oil.... but, if it is seperated, I take that the only alternative is replacement....

 

On my antenna its not separated so much as the taper runs off the cogged wheel
in the unit when the antenna is all the way up, so pushing it down a bit makes it
hook back up.

Like I said I got it at Walmart 25 years ago

Oiling the mast is a good idea.

 

I ordered the 2040 antenna from Woody's .... it will be nice to have a black mast on there; will look good with this car.

I have a stupid question: how do you access the antenna? I assume that you remove the right interior deck panel, but heck, these cars have proven me wrong before.

 

Need to remove the rear light as well. Which may result in a ripped up seal for the light and may require a replacement seal. I think Black Dragon sells them or Mazdatrix.

 

Bad news: Hirschmann discontinued the 2040 in black.