HELP! Replace Long Antenna to Shark Fin type

[Sony]

Hi,

 

My Astra comes with a rather long antenna and when i open my boot, there's only about 2cm clearance. Once I install my rear roof spoiler, it will knock onto the antenna and I forsee that the prolong bending will either cause my antenna & base to crack or my roof area around the antenna base to warp.

 

 

I presume the only solution is to install those Shark Fin type antenna found on the BMW but I have talk to their OEM supplier before. Apparently the BMW original antenna comes with both the aerial and GPS connecting points, thus if i want, I have to drill one more hole in my roof. I have also check with Trans Eurokars on their SAAB antenna but it was a GSM antenna. I guess it will be the same with Mercs and Volvo as well.

 

 

Does anyone know where I can get those Shark Fin Type antenna that only provide aerial reception? I have manage to find a US website that sell it but not sure if it's available locally.

 

http://www.visualgarage.com/home.html

 

 

Another option for me is to fit those very short antenna, i.e. 1 inch type. Any recommendation on this? I guess reception will not be as good as before.

 

 

Spoiler will have to go up coz holes have been drilled..

 

Would really appreciate any advise or help. Thanks.

[Elfenstar]

why don't you remove the antenna and plug it up with a small rubber bung. With the spoiler on you shouldnt be able to see it. then use an in-car window mounted antenna???

 

Edit: if you get the right sized bung no water should get in. I had 4 big and 4 small on the boot of my 180 as i removed the spoiler and as they were almost flush, they were almost un-noticeable.

Edited July 26, 2006 by Elfenstar

[Sony]

That is also one of the solution but I find that quite unslightly with the rubber bung.

 

Moreover, I'm still in talk with General Motors on the poor reception of the Astra H, thus I don't want to cut the original antenna connection and replace it with the brosch in-car antenna.

[Elfenstar]

the talks might be an issue, but on the other hand if reception improves then you can safely say that their equipment/wiring was crap

but for the bung, you could instead get the hole welded up then sanded down and respray the roof.

[Sony]

The sanding and spray painting is going to be massive and I would prefer to keep to a more affordable budget. Otherwise, I'm better off getting the steinmetz Roof spoiler but it cost $750 per piece without paint and installation.

 

 

Cheaper option would be to use a very very short antenna so that water will not be trap into the base. Then use the in-car antenna instead.

 

P.S. That's the steinmetz spoiler. Notice that the center are sunk down to avoid the antenna. My customize spoiler can't do that but I might want them to cut a V-Shape at the center to minimize the bending

Edited July 26, 2006 by Sony

[Sony]

Any other advices?

[Elfenstar]

Your cheaper option will work too. and you still have all the wiring and bits from the original antenna.

[Apollo]

use blaupunkt internal antenna lor. or Apollo brand one which is cheaper and claimed to hv better reception.

[Sony]

Are you aware of the cost of the internal antenna and its installation?

 

Where can i get the "apollo" brand?

[Huggable]

I've replaced the long antenna to the type used for Proton Waja, so far the reception didn't seem to suffer. The base is still the same antenna for the VW Golf.

[Sony]

Are you referring to something as shown in the picture?

 

It's about 5-6inch long and not flexible at all if I'm not wrong.

[Sony]

The wiring will be concealed and I can still keep the original antenna holder if I go for this option.

[Blackzafi]

sony, why dun u try this?

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Real-AM-FM-Shark-Fin...1QQcmdZViewItem

[Garis]

Bro, get in touch with Silverblade as he installed a shark' fin antenna on his meriva

[Apollo]

Apollo brand last I saw was Stamford tyre. install should b ard $20 by ur friendly ICE installer.

 

blupunkt also got another high end one but tat is for digital radio

[Huggable]

Yeah, got the antenna (only) but not the base. Should be about 4-5 inches, and is rubber coated and semi-flexible due to its thickness. Should cost in the S$19 region IIRC.

Edited July 27, 2006 by Huggable

[Zafira18]

  Quote

Hi,

 

My Astra comes with a rather long antenna and when i open my boot, there's only about 2cm clearance. Once I install my rear roof spoiler, it will knock onto the antenna and I forsee that the prolong bending will either cause my antenna & base to crack or my roof area around the antenna base to warp.

 

 

I presume the only solution is to install those Shark Fin type antenna found on the BMW but I have talk to their OEM supplier before. Apparently the BMW original antenna comes with both the aerial and GPS connecting points, thus if i want, I have to drill one more hole in my roof. I have also check with Trans Eurokars on their SAAB antenna but it was a GSM antenna. I guess it will be the same with Mercs and Volvo as well.

 

 

Does anyone know where I can get those Shark Fin Type antenna that only provide aerial reception? I have manage to find a US website that sell it but not sure if it's available locally.

 

http://www.visualgarage.com/home.html

 

 

Another option for me is to fit those very short antenna, i.e. 1 inch type. Any recommendation on this? I guess reception will not be as good as before.

 

 

Spoiler will have to go up coz holes have been drilled..

 

Would really appreciate any advise or help. Thanks.

 

Those shark fin antenna found on BMW are from Delphi....

[Sony]

Thanks for the link.

 

I think this will be a better option compared to the one in ebay.

 

http://www.visualgarage.com/home.html

 

The one from ebay still need me to remove the roof lining and unscrew the whole antenna base.