Better antennae?

[randywebb]

Thanks!

Do you happen to know the length of the mast tube?

[izzydog]

That pic of the Beetle antenna looks just like what I have on my 87 Westy Syncro. Put there by the the PO. It follows the A pillar so it doesn't snag branches and extends higher than the luggage rack for great reception. And since it follows the A pillar, it's easy to reach it. Good to know its a Beetle antenna... I always wondered where it came from.

[Wildthings]

Just another thought on antennas. Has anyone ever tried embedding an antenna on the underneath side of the Westfalia Luggage rack? This seems like it might work well as the fiberglass doesn't block radio signals. On my Toyota Land Cruiser witch has a fiberglass top, I just have a short coil type antenna sitting in the middle of the dash. It was original just supposed to be a temporary fix when I first did it, but because it works well and can't be hit or broke off it has stayed and will remain.

[ThorAlex]

Here is a pic of my new antennae:

I had to bend the metal "pin" that the "whip" is screwed on to make it follow the angle of the van but other than that it worked fine.

And this is how NOT to make an automatic antennae fit:

[wered]

The Hirschmann antenna is sold by van cafe (http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_441_384/hirschmann_antenna-german.html) and van-cafe puts cookies in the boxes, so you get an antenna and a snack for after you put it in.
_________________
84 Wolfsburg Vanagon (1.9 FI)
85 Vanagon (1.9 FI)
90 Carat Vanagon (2.1 FI)
87 Scirroco 16V
2017 GTI

[luVWagn]

[McVanagon]

Bumping the old antenna thread....


I broke my antenna a few weeks ago, and used a glove to seal it up while looking for a replacement.

I found a slick flexible antenna....

Once I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to get this thing to stand up, I bought a Hirschmann OEM replacement from BusDepot. I ordered a black base, but they sent a chrome. I painted it, and installed it.

Now, here's my problem. Both the flexible base and the Hirschmann base are smaller than the original antenna I had (first photo). The PO didn't remove the antenna to paint the van, and now (as shown in Belladonna30c's photo below) the paint lines are showing.

Is there a source for a WV+Audi antenna like the one in my first pic? The difference in the base size makes that area look really sloppy.
_________________
'69 Mike
'85 GL
'87 Wolfsburg Hardtop

[McVanagon]

Bump

Anyone have a source for a larger base antenna? The Hirschmann base has a smaller footprint, and it's leaking a bit.

Thanks guys.
_________________
'69 Mike
'85 GL
'87 Wolfsburg Hardtop

[Ahwahnee]

I know of no source -- got my replacement fro Terry kay but it looks the same as the VanCafe offering.

Is there any chance you could use the lower black bit from your prior (broken) antenna on the replacement antenna?

Failing that, I'd make a rubber gasket to match the outline of the antenna you removed and use it to conceal the paint and stop the leak.

[McVanagon]

[Vanagon Nut]

Hi all.

Re: the image below. I've got this type of antenna on my '81 Westy.

I think the answer is "no", but anyone know if this HIRSCHMANN antenna

http://www.van-cafe.com/hirschmann-antenna-german

will fit the existing hole? Looks to me like the Hirschmann will tilt forward at the wrong angle.

_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[Terry Kay]

The antenna above was not a VW item.
It's aftermarket, installed by either the dealer that sold the Van, or by a jobber that worked for the dealer.

Most all earlier vanagons came radio delete.
You will have a heck of a time locating an exact replacement.
Might get close, but not exact.

The antenna pictured earlier in this thread was also an aftermarket antenna installed by somebody, due to the larger base.
Again, you'll have a heck of a time duplicating it.

The Van-Cafe sold you a correct OE antenna which VW was installing in the vans, along with the Blaupunkt radios , from the later 85 model van on up.
They got smart, eliminated the middle guy, and standardised the antennas & the antennas.

Anything prior to Mid 85 got any kind of radio, any kind of antenna mast, mounted on either side of the front cowl panel.

There you have the correct answer to the problem.
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T.K.

[Vanagon Nut]

Ah, ok. Thanks Terry.

Ya, it's a distant memory but I now recall that the antenna from my '85 parts bus didn't work.

I'm amazed the original antenna is holding up; I epoxied the mast on allowing for some conductivity but i have to wonder how well it conducts from stub to mast. If I start feeling industrious, maybe I'll braze that mast on.

Neil.
_________________
1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[Steve M.]

I'd like to find another one of these.
You used to be able to find them, but for the past 3 years since I started looking for them I find mostly the larger sizes for CB Antennas.
I see them advertised down in Oz, but none stateside recently.

_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[joetiger]

[Terry Kay]

<<I'd like to find another one of these.
You used to be able to find them, but for the past 3 years since I started looking for them I find mostly the larger sizes for CB Antennas.
I see them advertised down in Oz, but none stateside recently.>>

How many do you want?
I saw this and found them in 5 minutes.
_________________
T.K.

[Vanagon Nut]

[joetiger]