Antenna Issues

[AtsZR1]

My radio antenna is stuck in the up position. The motor is running but it will not retract. Any advise?

[GOLDCYLON]

Order a remast kit it appears the mast ribbon is internally broken or stripped

[AtsZR1]

Thanks...Dealer or aftermarket part?

[GOLDCYLON]

aftermarket is fine madvet.com has them they also have the whole replacement atennas

[AtsZR1]

Thanks, it's on order! Installation looks pretty simple. Thanks

[Z51JEFF]

I just replaced the mast in my 91,the odd thing here is that reception isn't as good as it was with the original antenna mast yet the 2 masts look the same.

[GOLDCYLON]

I just replaced the mast in my 91,the odd thing here is that reception isn't as good as it was with the original antenna mast yet the 2 masts look the same.


If your still using the factory radio it might be the "Bose Tuner Brain" Jeff and have nothing to do with the antenna. Just a thought GC

[scottfab]

I just replaced the mast in my 91,the odd thing here is that reception isn't as good as it was with the original antenna mast yet the 2 masts look the same.

How was the replacement mast connected to the coax?
If a socket was used, good.
Then the issue may be impedance mismatch or a tuning issue.
If it's tuning there will be a "tweaking" cap to use that would be
factory set for the antenna they used. It's on the receiver side right
where the coax plugs in.
If it's an impedance mismatch your probably SOL.
The most common one is a 50ohm antenna on a 75ohm system. Car parts houses look at and antenna like a lot of things. It looks like an antenna so it must be one and they're all a like right? Nope.
For more info look at page 2 here:
http://www1.electusdistribution.com.au/images_uploaded/impmatch.pdf

[GOLDCYLON]

I just replaced the mast in my 91,the odd thing here is that reception isn't as good as it was with the original antenna mast yet the 2 masts look the same.

Scott is this true if he simply remasted his old antenna? He did not replace the old antenna housing and motor etc. The mast does not connect to the coax except via the housing. So if that was not changed I don't see the lol connection. Gc

[scottfab]

Scott is this true if he simply remasted his old antenna? He did not replace the old antenna housing and motor etc. The mast does not connect to the coax except via the housing. So if that was not changed I don't see the lol connection. Gc

Yes, the antenna may not be a matched. If it's a cheap knock off especially. Hey, I had this happen to me on my explorer and should have known better. It was a cheap knock off from Mexico.
All the "housing" does is hold the connector for the antenna. That is the reason I asked how it was connected. Stripping a few wires and using black tape has been known to happen.

[GOLDCYLON]

Yes, the antenna may not be a matched. If it's a cheap knock off especially. Hey, I had this happen to me on my explorer and should have known better. It was a cheap knock off from Mexico.
All the "housing" does is hold the connector for the antenna. That is the reason I asked how it was connected. Stripping a few wires and using black tape has been known to happen.


Well makes sense the Army Uses matching units for the Army for multiple bands

[Z51JEFF]

I just talked to somebody at MastRus where I got the part in regards to the bad reception.The guy I talked to told me I need to pull the antenna back out of the car and bend the tabs on the grounding sleeve,this would have been nice to know before I put it in the car.Im looking for a replacement antenna,if this things coming back out of the car Ill just replace it.The guy I talked to told me he can find a new,exact OEM replacement for about $150.

[WVZR-1]

I just talked to somebody at MastRus where I got the part in regards to the bad reception.The guy I talked to told me I need to pull the antenna back out of the car and bend the tabs on the grounding sleeve,this would have been nice to know before I put it in the car.Im looking for a replacement antenna,if this things coming back out of the car Ill just replace it.The guy I talked to told me he can find a new,exact OEM replacement for about $150.

You could confirm the condition of the ground of the assembly in the car before you do anything. You actually removed the assembly for starters didn't you? If you didn't remove the assembly, check it anyway!

I also checked a RCM here and I don't see any provisions for "trimming" the antenna at the receiver.

There is also mention I believe in the FSM to check for contact of the mast replacement with the spring in the antenna assembly and clean it before reassembly. It does mention doing what amounts to what the "mast guys" menetioned.

[Z51JEFF]

You could confirm the condition of the ground of the assembly in the car before you do anything. You actually removed the assembly for starters didn't you? If you didn't remove the assembly, check it anyway!


I removed the assembly,installed the mast-cable,reassembled and put it back in the car.I do remember the sleeve just slid over the mast,no friction between the sleeve and the mast.One easy check to see if its a ground issue,turn on the stereo and grab the mast.This should be easy,now the reception is almost ZERO with the car in the garage!