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peaceful warrior
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2005
Posts: 5274
Location: Taoswest, USA
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 Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:41 pm Post subject: Anyone in need of a good antenna? |
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I installed a stereo in our Vanagon yesterday, found the antenna was in bad condition....would not lock onto to any stations. Anyhow I was going to buy it from OE today, but I think they are closed. Well, I got onto GW's site and found the same Hirschmann antenna on sale for $14.95. Good deal in my book!
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"Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein
"Notchboy" says "Man up!"
"Tram" says " My bus is bigger than your bus."
66 13W Deluxe, 68 Westfalia, 87 Syncro.
TOOB Member #15
Brian |
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rkymtnrider
Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2009
Posts: 125
Location: Bozeman, MT
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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That's pretty cool. Seems like a solid replacement for original at a good price too. Out of curiosity has anyone replaced their antenna with a non telescoping/flexible version?
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1984 Westy 1.9 manual
Craig Kelly is my copilot |
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peaceful warrior
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2005
Posts: 5274
Location: Taoswest, USA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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| rkymtnrider wrote: |
| That's pretty cool. Seems like a solid replacement for original at a good price too. Out of curiosity has anyone replaced their antenna with a non telescoping/flexible version? |
I've seen a couple up here on a few Vanagons. Those thick rubber ones. I can't say how they work, but for those who drive off road a lot, I could see them being a good idea. As a matter of fact, I just looked across the street and my neighbors Vanagon Westy has one. I have driven her Vanagon and the reception is good for here, where we are surrounded by mountains.
It looks like this
_________________
"Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein
"Notchboy" says "Man up!"
"Tram" says " My bus is bigger than your bus."
66 13W Deluxe, 68 Westfalia, 87 Syncro.
TOOB Member #15
Brian |
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rkymtnrider
Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2009
Posts: 125
Location: Bozeman, MT
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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Yah, that's a rugged looking one for sure. I was thinking of one of the ones that are solid and about 3 feet or so long. The old school non-telescoping kind. Are all antennas a standard thread pattern or is it vehicle specific?
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1984 Westy 1.9 manual
Craig Kelly is my copilot |
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Franklinstower
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2006
Posts: 1895
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| peaceful warrior wrote: |
| rkymtnrider wrote: |
| That's pretty cool. Seems like a solid replacement for original at a good price too. Out of curiosity has anyone replaced their antenna with a non telescoping/flexible version? |
I've seen a couple up here on a few Vanagons. Those thick rubber ones. I can't say how they work, but for those who drive off road a lot, I could see them being a good idea. As a matter of fact, I just looked across the street and my neighbors Vanagon Westy has one. I have driven her Vanagon and the reception is good for here, where we are surrounded by mountains.
It looks like this |
I had that style on my Bay Bus - worked great - no loss of reception at all. I would have put one like that back on my westy - but went the hirshman route too. easy to install with the light removed.
Paul
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'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug |
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RCB
Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005
Posts: 4143
Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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Not that it matters much or even at all but the Hirschmann antenna I got from Go-Westy had a Made in China sticker on it. Little bastard crack monsters used to break off my antenna to make a crack pipe out of it.
Replacing antennas at least 3 times a year got to be time consuming not to mention costly.
The Hirschmann put an end to that nuisance from assholes with no sense. |
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tpinthepack
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 816
Location: clearwater,florida
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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What about a power antenna? Or a roof top antenna like a new GTI? Any one ever do that?
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TP in the Pack (I am a cyclist)
1968 Manx N.O.S. w/ Barrett Chassis
1960 Single Cab 1914 w/ 40 DLRA's
1990 Vanagon DOKA
1972 Super Beetle
1979 Super Beetle Convertible
2011 Porsche Cayenne |
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peaceful warrior
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2005
Posts: 5274
Location: Taoswest, USA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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| tpinthepack wrote: |
| What about a power antenna? Or a roof top antenna like a new GTI? Any one ever do that? |
Power antenna would be great, especially now that I know where all the hot/ignition hot connections are on the back of the fuse panel....Thanks to Tencent and Bentley and a multimeter. Could not find one to fit the Vanagon, though there are probably some out there. Would not want a rooftop antenna, for those times when you drive into covered parking.... 
_________________
"Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein
"Notchboy" says "Man up!"
"Tram" says " My bus is bigger than your bus."
66 13W Deluxe, 68 Westfalia, 87 Syncro.
TOOB Member #15
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peaceful warrior
Samba Member
Joined: January 22, 2005
Posts: 5274
Location: Taoswest, USA
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| RCB wrote: |
Not that it matters much or even at all but the Hirschmann antenna I got from Go-Westy had a Made in China sticker on it. Little bastard crack monsters used to break off my antenna to make a crack pipe out of it.
Replacing antennas at least 3 times a year got to be time consuming not to mention costly.
The Hirschmann put an end to that nuisance from assholes with no sense. |
RCB, I don't understand. The Hirschmann you were getting were made in China, but your last sentence say that the Hirschmann put an end to that problem......so what exactly are you stating. The ones that GW is selling can be fully retracted, and I thought all Hirschmann's were made in Germany. Are they farming out as we do.........doubt it, but?
_________________
"Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein
"Notchboy" says "Man up!"
"Tram" says " My bus is bigger than your bus."
66 13W Deluxe, 68 Westfalia, 87 Syncro.
TOOB Member #15
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idahoskier
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Joined: March 30, 2009
Posts: 161
Location: Donnelly, ID
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:28 pm Post subject: |
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I got a flexible one from Radio Shack for $12.99 and it works great. Better reception than any other car I own. Of course it does not stay straight, esp at 80 mph  , because its a foam core but I can easily bend it any way I want to make it work out.
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85 Westy w/ 2.2L Subaru
91 Westy w/ 2.5L Subaru - sold |
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RCB
Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005
Posts: 4143
Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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| peaceful warrior wrote: |
| RCB wrote: |
Not that it matters much or even at all but the Hirschmann antenna I got from Go-Westy had a Made in China sticker on it. Little bastard crack monsters used to break off my antenna to make a crack pipe out of it.
Replacing antennas at least 3 times a year got to be time consuming not to mention costly.
The Hirschmann put an end to that nuisance from assholes with no sense. |
RCB, I don't understand. The Hirschmann you were getting were made in China, but your last sentence say that the Hirschmann put an end to that problem......so what exactly are you stating. The ones that GW is selling can be fully retracted, and I thought all Hirschmann's were made in Germany. Are they farming out as we do.........doubt it, but? |
The Hirschmann antenna I got from Go-Westy 251-035-503 OEM back in 12-31-07 had a Made in China sticker on it. I too thought the antenna was going to be one made in Germany since OEM means original equipment manufacturer.
The antenna works just fine and it does fully retract .... if you retract it too much so as you cant grab it to pull it up...not to worry .. you get a small key that you can insert into the groove at the top of the antenna itself and by applying a bit of pressure to the left or right you can pull it up a bit to get a better hold on it. |
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sc-surfer
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2005
Posts: 865
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Vanagonner
Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2009
Posts: 506
Location: Broomfield Colorado
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| Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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When I replaced my original antenna with a generic solid one, I moved it inside the cab (horizontally) just above the windshield (behind the sun visors). It gets FM and AM just fine, but the shortwave reception has suffered greatly. I think I either need a longer one or I need to get it up under the luggage cap for good reception. It is nice not to have it on the "fender" though.
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Sage
'82 Westy 1.6 D
the mighty n/a |
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sc-surfer
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Joined: May 16, 2005
Posts: 865
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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tpinthepack
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 816
Location: clearwater,florida
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| Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 4:29 am Post subject: |
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I think I read an ad from Tristar Eric that mentioned GTI antenna? Does anyone know about this? I think it was when he was selling an 85 Doka last year. Would like to see that one up close. I don't recall any GTI antenna from the 80s or 90s with power antenna, but maybe. But I am sure it is the newer roof top ones. Thoughts?
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TP in the Pack (I am a cyclist)
1968 Manx N.O.S. w/ Barrett Chassis
1960 Single Cab 1914 w/ 40 DLRA's
1990 Vanagon DOKA
1972 Super Beetle
1979 Super Beetle Convertible
2011 Porsche Cayenne |
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campism
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4491
Location: Richmond VA
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| Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 9:51 am Post subject: |
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"Does anyone make a power retractable antenna that will fit a vanagon? That's what I'd really like."
I recall a post about this with a link to someone's web page. I'll try to find the link. |
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whafalia
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2009
Posts: 685
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 10:02 am Post subject: |
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| I like my nice tall telescoping antennae set at about the height of the skylight. It did help me catch myself before trying to enter a garage a couple of weeks ago. I had no idea that vandals had a use for snapped antennae, thought it was senseless material violence. |
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VanWilder
Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2009
Posts: 1349
Location: PDX-Weird Town, USA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 10:57 am Post subject: |
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I have one of the Rubber ones and I love it works great.
$9.95
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VW
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"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land" |
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msinabottle
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005
Posts: 3492
Location: Denver Area, Colorado
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| Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 1:40 pm Post subject: Had, Loved, Replaced |
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I had a rubber antenna, it worked great, I loved it, and Colorado's high UV utterly disintegrated it before two years were out. REALLY annoying. I have this now:
Reception might be a tad better, but it doesn't hit the garage door, and you can't make a crack pipe out of it. Rocky Mountain Westy moves the antennas to the side of the van and welds up the old hole. I like that concept.
Best!
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'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence." |
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purplepeopleeater
Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2005
Posts: 3117
Location: E. Washington
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| Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 2:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I had one of those on my sunroof vanagon, with age it got all saggy and crooked...sticking with good stiff steel. |
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