Honda Car Forum

I replaced a broken AM/FM power antenna mast on my '95 Accord EX wagon
with a new Honda part (it looked very close but was not absolutely
identical to the original -- the most noticeable difference being the
shape of the tip, which doesn't seem like it should be that important).
It fit ok and seemed like a straightforward replacement; it raises and
lowers ok, but AM barely works on strong local stations and FM is weak.
If I physically jiggle it around, particularly push it down a little,
there are places where better contact is made and the signal seems
normal. What did I do wrong?

--
Luck is an opportunity taken.

You used the wrong antena/part. LOL

.......................................
On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 11:51:03 -0400, Lloyd Andrew <landrew@erols.com> wrote:

> I replaced a broken AM/FM power antenna mast on my '95 Accord EX wagon
> with a new Honda part (it looked very close but was not absolutely
> identical to the original -- the most noticeable difference being the
> shape of the tip, which doesn't seem like it should be that important).
> It fit ok and seemed like a straightforward replacement; it raises and
> lowers ok, but AM barely works on strong local stations and FM is weak.
> If I physically jiggle it around, particularly push it down a little,
> there are places where better contact is made and the signal seems
> normal. What did I do wrong?
>

It was the part specified by Honda.

> You used the wrong antena/part. LOL
>
> ......................................
> On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 11:51:03 -0400, Lloyd Andrew <landrew@erols.com> wrote:
>
>> I replaced a broken AM/FM power antenna mast on my '95 Accord EX wagon
>> with a new Honda part (it looked very close but was not absolutely
>> identical to the original -- the most noticeable difference being the
>> shape of the tip, which doesn't seem like it should be that
>> important). It fit ok and seemed like a straightforward replacement;
>> it raises and lowers ok, but AM barely works on strong local stations
>> and FM is weak. If I physically jiggle it around, particularly push it
>> down a little, there are places where better contact is made and the
>> signal seems normal. What did I do wrong?


--
Luck is an opportunity taken.

Any reason why you didn't use an OEM antenna? They're ~$35 from some of the
online part stores.

"Lloyd Andrew" <landrew@erols.com> wrote in message
news:3F293AE7.9040407@erols.com...
> I replaced a broken AM/FM power antenna mast on my '95 Accord EX wagon
> with a new Honda part (it looked very close but was not absolutely
> identical to the original -- the most noticeable difference being the
> shape of the tip, which doesn't seem like it should be that important).
> It fit ok and seemed like a straightforward replacement; it raises and
> lowers ok, but AM barely works on strong local stations and FM is weak.
> If I physically jiggle it around, particularly push it down a little,
> there are places where better contact is made and the signal seems
> normal. What did I do wrong?
>
> --
> Luck is an opportunity taken.
>

> Any reason why you didn't use an OEM antenna? They're ~$35 from some of the
> online part stores.


I hunted around in several local stores but couldn't find a mast that
was close. For some reason Honda made a distinction between engine
sizes or something (why they would use different antennas for variations
of the same model, I have no idea), and none of the online places I
found mentioned it -- few even mentioned "Honda". Some had a complete
replacement, including motor, for about the price of the Honda mast, but
it looked as though removing the panel to get access would break a bunch
of plastic fasteners I would have to replace anyway and generally be
more of a headache than I cared to deal with for the price difference;
replacing the mast was a five-minute job! (Not counting time trying to
get it to work. ) So, after a couple of weeks of searching while
driving around with a stub antenna I broke down and got it from the dealer.

If you know some place that has an antenna that they say will fit for
$35, I might be willing to try it at this point.

--
Luck is an opportunity taken.

Try here:

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...A4AT&catcgry5=

There are two "Radio Antenna-Speaker" catagories for your model. You might
want to give them a call or email with your VIN to make sure you order what
you need.


"Lloyd Andrew" <landrew@erols.com> wrote in message
news:3F2A8D2D.4030703@erols.com...
>
> > Any reason why you didn't use an OEM antenna? They're ~$35 from some of
the
> > online part stores.
>
>
> I hunted around in several local stores but couldn't find a mast that
> was close. For some reason Honda made a distinction between engine
> sizes or something (why they would use different antennas for variations
> of the same model, I have no idea), and none of the online places I
> found mentioned it -- few even mentioned "Honda". Some had a complete
> replacement, including motor, for about the price of the Honda mast, but
> it looked as though removing the panel to get access would break a bunch
> of plastic fasteners I would have to replace anyway and generally be
> more of a headache than I cared to deal with for the price difference;
> replacing the mast was a five-minute job! (Not counting time trying to
> get it to work. ) So, after a couple of weeks of searching while
> driving around with a stub antenna I broke down and got it from the
dealer.
>
> If you know some place that has an antenna that they say will fit for
> $35, I might be willing to try it at this point.
>
> --
> Luck is an opportunity taken.
>

On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 11:51:03 -0400, Lloyd Andrew <landrew@erols.com>
wrote:

>I replaced a broken AM/FM power antenna mast on my '95 Accord EX wagon
>with a new Honda part (it looked very close but was not absolutely
>identical to the original -- the most noticeable difference being the
>shape of the tip, which doesn't seem like it should be that important).
> It fit ok and seemed like a straightforward replacement; it raises and
>lowers ok, but AM barely works on strong local stations and FM is weak.
> If I physically jiggle it around, particularly push it down a little,
>there are places where better contact is made and the signal seems
>normal. What did I do wrong?

Make sure that the antenna has a good earth to the body. There should
be a washer with sharp raised teeth (or some thing like) that should
pierce the paint to give a good earth.

A good test for a bad earth is you should hear a lot of interference
on am if you tune to a weak station, this will change 'pace' with the
engine rpm.