Antenna replacement, Aftermarket?

Just so you all know the eBay ones like the one linked on the first page absolutely suck. I can hardly pick up anything with it, but I figured the $5 I spent on it isn't worth trying to argue with anyone over. I just ordered the Metra 44-UA200 because it seemed to be the best hidden antenna based on misc. reviews. I plan on placing it pretty much exactly how Robo has his. The Metra unit is amplified and has an additional ground wire. Some people say that they have better luck without hoking up the amplifier, others do, and the rest see no difference. I'll post which way works best for me.

For everyone who experiences a dropped mast (motor runs but cable that lifts mast is snapped) contact Barney Eaton on the aaca forums. He repairs these antennas with metal cables replacing the stock plastic ones. Great guy.

Mine works ten times better than the OEM antenna on it's best day.Really! I get stations that I couldn't get before and clearer.No lie

..but c`on folks.Do you really listen that much to radio?....i always listen to CDs......haha.

Cd's?? What the hell are c d 's?? I only listen to lossless ogg vorbis audio files cuz, ya know, it's so hip  


See: sarcasm

that's cool Evan,you can listen to whatever files you want to.I asked if you listened to radio?..haha

I was messin anyhow and I do listen to radio often enough to actually warrant a good antenna. A few really good local stations in Seattle

You can get used power antennas from any pick-and-pull for $15-30, usually guaranteed for 30 days.

An antenna from a number of GM products will fit with a little modification (bracket, gasket from old one), and of course one from a Riv or Aurora (if I recall) bolts right on. I always pull one from any Riv/Aurora when I'm at a yard unless I already have 2 or 3 lying around already.

I went through a few junkyard antennas. The people always swapped them out when they broke until I just said enough. I think I pulled mine from Auroras.

Has anyone ever installed a fixed mast antenna? I'm thinking about just grabbing a little stubby one and calling it job done. Maybe even a shark fin if somebody knows how to install one.

Sorry Charlie, but the one you sold me gave up and won't go all the way up/down anymore. Might have something to do with repeated trips to triple digit speeds.......

matt270avian wrote:

Has anyone ever installed a fixed mast antenna? I'm thinking about just grabbing a little stubby one and calling it job done. Maybe even a shark fin if somebody knows how to install one.

Sorry Charlie, but the one you sold me gave up and won't go all the way up/down anymore. Might have something to do with repeated trips to triple digit speeds.......

Dang. Im sorry to hear that. Both ,the radio and antenna I shipped to members have been reported to fail :seppuku:

It's no big deal, it lasted longer than every other one I've had (that I can remember).

The stock fixed antenna out of a Cavalier drops right in (I pulled mine off a '96). The mast fits perfectly into the stock rubber piece on the body and the antenna cable plugs right in. The only issue is a metal bracket needs to be fabbed to hold it in place, but it shouldn't be hard to make at all.

Here's what it looks like. I just tweaked the metal bracket on the Cavalier antenna like a metal nipple, drilled a hole in it, and used the nut holding the trunk support as a hold down. Probably about as good of an option as you're going to get besides the hidden antennas which never seem to work well. The only downside is the carpet doesn't quite seat right around the bracket.

My antenna will raise the mast up, but not down. I can assist it down about 3/4 of the way before it kicks out, then it will raise itself when powered. I hear some clicking and grinding like some gears are not meshing, but not sure how the guts of the antenna work. Anybody have any insight to my issue.

XCELLR8 wrote:

Anybody have any insight to my issue.

Buy a new one. You aren't fixing it. It happens to all of us eventually. Mine lasted 16 years and 160k before it started doing exactly what yours is....

Abaddon wrote:

XCELLR8 wrote:

Anybody have any insight to my issue.

Buy a new one. You aren't fixing it. It happens to all of us eventually. Mine lasted 16 years and 160k before it started doing exactly what yours is....

I've read through some old posts, but what are the options today besides junk yards. Thanks

I bought this one or one similar and it works better than the OE antenna by far.

http://tinyurl.com/ptcbd4b

robotennis61 wrote:

I bought this one or one similar and it works better than the OE antenna by far.

http://tinyurl.com/ptcbd4b

Thanks for the link. My plan is to go with another power unit, unless I can not find one.

If you scroll down towards the bottom at this link you can see what is inside of the antenna.  It isn't the exact one that came on our cars, but the inside looks the same http://www.grail-ss.com/PowerAntennaR&R.htm .  They are pretty simple inside.  I took mine apart last weekend and it had a bunch of old grease in it that I cleaned out.  The plastic mast cable broke in mine last winter.  I just ordered a replacement cable from http://antennamastsrus.com/GM/Buick/Riviera/Riviera%201995-1999.htm and plan on replacing it tomorrow.  It looks exactly like the one that came on the car, so hopefully it will work.

My problem is different than yours, but it wouldn't hurt to take it apart and see what it is doing.  You will have to drill out the rivets to get it to open.

I've been thinking to disconnect mine see how it is without an antenna. Makes the car look outdated.

98riv wrote:

If you scroll down towards the bottom at this link you can see what is inside of the antenna.  It isn't the exact one that came on our cars, but the inside looks the same http://www.grail-ss.com/PowerAntennaR&R.htm .  They are pretty simple inside.  I took mine apart last weekend and it had a bunch of old grease in it that I cleaned out.  The plastic mast cable broke in mine last winter.  I just ordered a replacement cable from http://antennamastsrus.com/GM/Buick/Riviera/Riviera%201995-1999.htm and plan on replacing it tomorrow.  It looks exactly like the one that came on the car, so hopefully it will work.

My problem is different than yours, but it wouldn't hurt to take it apart and see what it is doing.  You will have to drill out the rivets to get it to open.

Thanks for the links. They were very helpful!!

Honestly for that price you're better off just snagging a few from the junkyard. They charge about 15 bucks a piece here, and some places will even give you a warranty on them so you can just exchange it if it breaks.

Abaddon wrote:

XCELLR8 wrote:

Anybody have any insight to my issue.

Buy a new one. You aren't fixing it. It happens to all of us eventually. Mine lasted 16 years and 160k before it started doing exactly what yours is....

OR get a good used one from Ed Morad, moradpartscompany.com

My antenna stopped retracting so the dealer said to replace it. I was able to get a new motormotor, but am having a hard time locating the Mast. Any help finding OEM part# 19151301 is much appreciated.