Has anyone found a stubby antenna that works for a convertible?

 

Just disconnecting the power works pretty well. It still does a pretty good job without the antenna extended and in my opinion looks better than the stubby.

 

Are you replacing the antenna for looks or because the old one has failed? I ask because you can replace just the mast for about $15 rather than the whole assembly.

 

Here's my How To if it helps:

How To Replace a Defective Telescopic Antenna

Now this is a simple mod and the OEM assembly with motor is $130+. You'll know you have the problem because the antenna won't fully retract



Parts:
Adjustable wrench
GM OEM Power Antenna Replacement ($13 E Bay).




Make sure the antenna is fully retracted and that the radio is off

Remove the antenna mounting nut located on the base of the mast on the outside of the car. If the mast is bent it may be necessary to cut off the old mast). If you can't all of the plastic cable out as one piece, (sometimes the plastic gets really hard and breaks into pieces then falls down into the motor), you can just pull the motor after you have pulled the mast out and get all of the pieces out. To do that you'll need to take out the outer right turn signal housing.




Turn on the radio and pull out the old mast and serrated cable completely out of the antenna motor. (Note which way the serrations on the cable are facing)

Feed the serrated cable of the new mast into the antenna hole and stop when resistance is felt. (about 12”). Make sure the cable is fed in with the teeth the same way the old cable came out.



Turn the radio off to lower the antenna until the serrated cable catches.. You may have to cycle the antenna a few times until the cable catches the gear mechanism and retracts into the antenna motor.



Replace and tighten the antenna nut into the mast base.



Turn on and make sure that the mast fully extends without binding. Clean the surface of the antenna to remove any adhesive etc.

10 minute job.



I found mine on E Bay but occasionally they are not listed. You can get a replacement here: http://www.antennamastsrus.com/GM/Ch...01993-2004.htm (thanks to bighank for the link)

If you encounter a stuck mast here’s advice from the mast vendor:

You see the new "Retaining Sleeve" (silver, 2 inches or so, with slots) on the shaft of the new antenna mast, the original one is most likely a little corroded/frozen into the shaft of your antenna No problem : You are in need of what I refer to as the "snap and tap" technique of mast removal

Turn radio on and let cycle to as much extension as is currently possible

Take hold of the thickest metal mast section (closest to fender) with you thumb and forefinger about 2-3 inches above the top of the antenna shaft hole

Push the thickest mast section into the shaft (as much as it will go within that 2-3 inches)

Hold tightly with thumb and forefinger and Snap your Wrist upward.....you will here the mast bottom "tap" the bottom of the frozen in place retaining sleeve (what this is all about) Repeat this over and over again In-Snap-Tap-Repeat Short Firm Bursts of Energy Focusing the energy blow to the point of the tap This will free the retaining sleeve little by little till it comes out completely.

Some members found that the mast comes apart. It might be possible to coax out the ld pieces with a wire coat hanger. If not, you may have to pull the antenna assembly and invert it to remove the old mast. Take out the closest tail light. Undo the electrical connector and remove the fixing bolts.

 

It is for looks, I don't like the long antenna.
Great instructional on replacing it.

 

Have never found a short antenna for the vert

 

I replaced my power antenna with a fixed stubby. You have to replace the antenna base/bracket with one from a Z06/FRC. I found one on the forum but did have some issues with the mounting holes lining up. Reception is great. The unit came from stubbyantenna.com and is the G-series. As for disabling the power antenna - I got zero reception when I tried that.

 

Did they stop putting them on 02's or were they only on certain models? My coupe doesn't have a noticable external antenna anywhere.

Another Raleigh member here

 

Coupes have the antennas built into the glass, one in the front and one in the back. One is for am the other for fm. The convertible is the only one with the power antenna. The FRC and Z06 come with long fixed antennas and the mast unscrews so you can easily screw on a stubby.

 

How do you disconnect the power to the power antenna so that Iit does not go up?