Replacement Antenna

You switch on your radio and you get static. That is annoying, right? But before you assume that your radio is problematic, check first if the issue is with your antenna. This component is mounted outside your car, sometimes near the fender or at the corner of your car roof, and receives radio waves sent by a transmitter. All basic antennas can capture AM and FM frequency bands, and once these radio wavelengths are received, the mast of your antenna converts them into electrical charges that are in turn amplified by your radio receiver. Aside from a broken antenna, there is no other possible reason for replacing this component. But when you need to, make sure that it is of high quality. Let us see if a replacement type will give you a crisper reception.

Features

• Made of stainless steel
• Manual type
• Polished
• Mounts on the fender
• Universal
• Carries a year of unlimited-mileage warranty

We tested this component on a Ford Focus and a Peugeot 505, and here is what we have to say:

Thumbs up

• The stainless steel material used for the component looked that it could be depended on. Although we were quite concerned about rust building up at the points where the antenna retracts, the polish would definitely be able to stall the effects of oxidation.
• Generally, the unit installed just right. The connecting cable was long enough to reach the plug attached to the car stereo. All the fasteners fit well and allowed us to mount the unit at the fender of each vehicle securely.
• The extensions of the shaft retracted and extended smoothly without jamming.
• When we switched on the radio of each vehicle, we were able to get a clear reception for the FM band. Most stations on the AM band were received clearly as well, while others at the farthest ends of the band spectrum needed some precise tuning. Thus, we did not need to use an inline antenna booster to get a crisper reception.

Thumbs down

• Its being universal and needing some adjustment at the same time was quite confusing. But the thing is, there were no instructions provided for such modifications, given that we purchased the component specific for the Focus and the 505.

The verdict

Given its affordable price, this replacement antenna is a good one to opt for if you only listen to common stations with better transmissions. Installation and adjustment were just easy, but make sure to ask for help when you do not know how to.