I was going to post this as a side note to someone else's post, but I decided not to do any thread hijacking...

 

So: The power antenna on my '99 OBW is broken, and I have not been able to convince myself to buy the replacement mast because I know it won't last too long. I'm looking for options, and what I'm *actually* considering is replacing the antenna with a) a stubby amplified antenna from another car, a thin wire glued to the rear quarter window, or c) a piece of wire inside the rear spoiler. I wouldn't consider using a fixed mast antenna in the same place as the power antenna since I *hate* those too much.

 

 

Has anyone tried any of these options (or has some other suggestion)?

Just go to your local auto parts store and buy a new antenna (regular type) and install it. Shouldn't be too hard to do. I have done it before on my MR2 and my old neon. I was going to go this route, but I decided that JY power antenna's for $8 was a better way to go. I can buy 3 used power antenna's for the price of a regular antenna. 14 months on my used antenna and I still have no real issues with it...

 

If you do decide to get a regular antenna, take pics and post up what you did. I still might go this route in the future.

Some time ago I was removing the snow from my Saturn windshield and flexed the (fixed) antenna without noticing it. When I released it (without noticing) it sprung back and hit me in my (frozen) ear. That's one SERIOUS pain I'm not in a hurry to repeat So, no fixed antennas for my soobie.

 

I have yet to see a power antenna worth recovering at the local junkyards, and the $38 for the OEM antenna mast seem fair to me. However, as I said, it's just a matter of months before the antenna gets broken again. Which is why I want to explore alternative options. I like the idea of a stubby antenna (maybe in lieu of the power one), but I'm not sure how it will behave.

 

So... no one has ever toyed with the idea?

I have gone this route before but could not find a suitable aftermarket antenna that would fit in the location. I gave in and had the dealer install a new power antenna but it only lasted about 18 months.

 

I would love to find one of those short 1 foot flexible antennas that would fit but have not been able to find one.

 

Metra (antenna specialist) was not able to offer a replacement antenna that would fit. Some have said that the issue is that the Subaru ones have 3 wires but most aftermarket ones have 2 wires. I'm not adventurous enough to try to make one work.

Hey! 18 months isn't that bad! (being sarcastic)

 

That's precisely the reason I don't want to use a normal antenna. I'm thinking the easiest thing to do would be to get an antenna amplifier from a junkyard (any car with a stubby antenna will have one) and using any antenna with it. I would probably use the leftover pieces from the power antenna and bolt the new one to it.

 

Another option is using the rear defroster as an antenna (I've seen that mentioned in a couple of sites). The thing is, I like to learn from other people mistakes. So, people, please share your mistakes