Antenna on my 89 Civic is kind of toast, as in, it got bent and now doesn't retract. Reception now sucks. Factory replacement is no longer available through Honda. I can get aftermarket ones for the stock location, but out of curiosity, I want to entertain the possibility of getting one of those amplified Fuba Beta-Flex D antennae. On top of the damaged antenna, my reception may also be poor because of the gauges I have on the driver side A pillar.

From what I've researched so far, the antenna is amplified and has two separate amplifiers - one for AM and the other for FM. Supposedly the best antenna on the market. Plus, it looks cool.

I know I would have to drill a hole and all that jazz.

I imagine VW wreckers would have them. Anyone know approx. how much for new? And, is it worth going through the trouble?

For those of you who know the Lower Mainland and Lower FV, I live in Langley and work in Abbotsford. Most, if not all, of my driving is on the freeway. Once a week I go into Vancouver for the night life (pick up chicks, gamble, get drunk, etc.). Reception out in the FV sucks. Would amplified antenna make a diff?

Thanks in advance.

 

WHAT??????

300 big ones? OUCH!!

OK, the wreckers it is.

 

Don't go to the wreckers for the antenna, chances are the fitting will not work with your car.
I usually order the Hirschmann amplified antennas, tho Fuba is available at close to the same price, I'd guess it will go for about $200, I'll confirm the price for you tomorow if you want to PM me, I'll reply with the price and availability.
Keep in mind that reception may improve slightly in fringe areas such as the FV (east of Abb'y.)
Remember that FM reception relies on "line of sight to the transmitter" and geographic topology, such as high mountains, high buildings, and large bodies of water (including water towers) will affect FM adversly.
AM recpetion relies on atmospheric conditions such as sun spots that will interfere with some transmissions.
Some amplifiers may boost signal strength but also the accompanying noise, the Fuba and Hirschmann are said to be the best around, so definetly a good choice.

 

is it worth it to upgrade to the Hirschmann, they seem to be cheap on e-bay. The oem antenna on my Integra is still there, but I have to replace the mast as the gear is stripped. Should I just get another oem, or should I go to the Hirschmann? I could really use better fm reception as my Sony C90 is el crappo in the reception department

[ January 14, 2005, 03:20 PM: Message edited by: edgar ]

 

A replacement mast will cost about $70, another antenna will be quite a bit more, so up to you, and you have to make sure the antenna is compatible with the location it's mounted in.

 

this is what I was looking at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33639

price regardless (a new mast is going to cost me about the same), will I get a noticeable improvement in reception with the hirschmann?

 

I agree Dereck, amplified telescopic antennas seem to raise expectations, and mother nature won't comply all the time.

[ January 21, 2005, 12:55 AM: Message edited by: Eli47 ]