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General discussionHow to repair a broken car antenna?(23 posts)solved(23 posts)solved
(23 posts)solved
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This is my favourite topic
Posted March 28, 2016
I'll ask here because you guys tend to have an answer to everything (right or wrong, doesn't matter), and I recall there was even someone here who buys and repairs machinery for his work, he shares those stories once in a while.

My car antenna has snapped in two, and no way I am going to pay 60€ or whatever they are asking for a new one (odd that I can't find some cheapo Chinese knock-offs online, my car model is quite common), especially as I won't necessarily have this car for that long anymore. So I figured why don't I just repair the antenna.

It seems it is merely about joining two pieces of metal back together (right?), but what is the best and most cost effective way to achieve that? I first thought hey I'll just use some super glue, but I am not sure if it will act as a non-conductor, ie. the antenna won't work. Or are there superglues specifically meant for metal which conduct electricity?

Then I thought about soldering, that should at least conduct electricity. But then I am unsure how durable that will be, considering the antenna will swing like crazy in the air when I am speeding away from the cops. Not sure if reinforcing it with some heavy duty tape would help too.

Any other ideas?
Post edited March 28, 2016 by timppu
This question / problem has been solved by nightcraw1er.488image
Posted March 28, 2016
Solder it back together, then wrap it in tape with a splint on either side of it (go the length of the antenna rather than just a small section). Use weather proof tape. That may be your best option.
Posted March 28, 2016
My parents always just strapped me to the hood with a coat hanger in my hand.
Posted March 28, 2016
slap eggs on it and grunt like a madman.
Posted March 28, 2016
I could be wrong here, but I believe it needs straight-up replacing, which, in theory, shouldn't be nearly as expensive as $60. Most repair kits can be bought for less than $20, depending on what type of antenna you have. It's probably best you try fixing it yourself first and see, but somehow I suspect that the quality of the signals you pick up won't be nearly as good.
Post edited March 28, 2016 by zeogold
Posted March 28, 2016
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tinyE: My parents always just strapped me to the hood with a coat hanger in my hand.
TinyE: Fury Road
Posted March 28, 2016
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tinyE: My parents always just strapped me to the hood with a coat hanger in my hand.
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Breja: TinyE: Fury Road
"You will ride eternal, slimy and green."
Post edited March 28, 2016 by zeogold
Posted March 28, 2016
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zeogold: I could be wrong here, but I believe it needs straight-up replacing, which, in theory, shouldn't be nearly as expensive as $60. Most repair kits can be bought for less than $20, depending on what type of antenna you have.
Odd, earlier when I tried to find replacement antennas, I couldn't find easily anything and they were too expensive. But now what I search, I see e.g. in UK for £3.49... but unfortunately the postage to EU is an additional £20, grrrrr! Maybe I earlier searched only within Finland, and here they are making you pay through your nose. I'd rather just go to some store and buy it there, in order not to have to pay such postage prices.

What do you mean the receiving quality won't be as good if I fix it myself? Is there something specific to antennas where just e.g. soldering the pieces back together won't work as well?

Anyway if I can find one for about 20€ or so (incl. postage), I guess I will go for it.
Post edited March 28, 2016 by timppu
Posted March 28, 2016
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timppu: I'll ask here because you guys tend to have an answer to everything (right or wrong, doesn't matter), and I recall there was even someone here who buys and repairs machinery for his work, he shares those stories once in a while.

My car antenna has snapped in two, and no way I am going to pay 60€ or whatever they are asking for a new one (odd that I can't find some cheapo Chinese knock-offs online, my car model is quite common), especially as I won't necessarily have this car for that long anymore. So I figured why don't I just repair the antenna.

It seems it is merely about joining two pieces of metal back together (right?), but what is the best and most cost effective way to achieve that? I first thought hey I'll just use some super glue, but I am not sure if it will act as a non-conductor, ie. the antenna won't work. Or are there superglues specifically meant for metal which conduct electricity?

Then I thought about soldering, that should at least conduct electricity. But then I am unsure how durable that will be, considering the antenna will swing like crazy in the air when I am speeding away from the cops. Not sure if reinforcing it with some heavy duty tape would help too.

Any other ideas?
It should just be a matter of heating it up. You could also try the local car wreckers, they may have a car like yours and sell you the ariel for next to nothing. As for the ariel, what do you use a car attenae for? I can 't even remember seeing them on cars nowadays.
Posted March 28, 2016
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zeogold: I could be wrong here, but I believe it needs straight-up replacing, which, in theory, shouldn't be nearly as expensive as $60. Most repair kits can be bought for less than $20, depending on what type of antenna you have.
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timppu: Odd, earlier when I tried to find replacement antennas, I couldn't find easily anything and they were too expensive. But now what I search, I see e.g. in UK for £3.49... but unfortunately the postage to EU is an additional £20, grrrrr! Maybe I earlier searched only within Finland, and here they are making you pay through your nose. I'd rather just go to some store and buy it there, in order not to have to pay such postage prices.

What do you mean the receiving quality won't be as good if I fix it myself? Is there something specific to antennas where just e.g. soldering the pieces back together won't work as well?
You don't have pick'n'pulls in Finland? Serious question as you can usually visit a scrapyard, pull the part you need off, and save money that way :)
Posted March 28, 2016
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zeogold: I could be wrong here, but I believe it needs straight-up replacing, which, in theory, shouldn't be nearly as expensive as $60. Most repair kits can be bought for less than $20, depending on what type of antenna you have.
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timppu: Odd, earlier when I tried to find replacement antennas, I couldn't find easily anything and they were too expensive. But now what I search, I see e.g. in UK for £3.49... but unfortunately the postage to EU is an additional £20, grrrrr! Maybe I earlier searched only within Finland, and here they are making you pay through your nose. I'd rather just go to some store and buy it there, in order not to have to pay such postage prices.

What do you mean the receiving quality won't be as good if I fix it myself? Is there something specific to antennas where just e.g. soldering the pieces back together won't work as well?
It might be worth taking a trip to your local auto supply store.

Well, like I said, I'm no expert on this stuff, I'm thinking this mainly due to the shape of it needing to be maintained. Sorta the same reason it won't work as well when bent. I just personally remember trying this with a radio I used to have and it being a lost cause.
Posted March 28, 2016
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nightcraw1er.488: I can 't even remember seeing them on cars nowadays.
They've started camouflaging them a bit better. The "Shark Fin" of the BMW 5 series and the Volvo S series are examples of what they look like now.
Posted March 28, 2016
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JMich: They've started camouflaging them a bit better. The "Shark Fin" of the BMW 5 series and the Volvo S series are examples of what they look like now.
The also put them inside the frame of the vehicle along the edge of the windshield.
Posted March 28, 2016
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nightcraw1er.488: It should just be a matter of heating it up. You could also try the local car wreckers, they may have a car like yours and sell you the ariel for next to nothing.
Good idea, why didn't I think of that? Those guys obviously don't advertise their antennas on Google, only the 60€ sellers do here.
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nightcraw1er.488: As for the ariel, what do you use a car attenae for? I can 't even remember seeing them on cars nowadays.
Not sure if sarcastic, but for radio I guess. :) Without the antenna the receiving is pretty poor, when I go even a bit to rural areas, it doesn't pick much anymore. Ok in cities.

I guess in newer cars they have those small solid antennas which look like a small "rudder" on top of the car. I wish I had one, but my stupid car still had one of those old-fashioned whip antennas which you have to remember to detach before washing your car at the gas station.
Post edited March 28, 2016 by timppu
Posted March 28, 2016
I think soldering, tape and splints seem the best idea (though probably somewhat flexible splints so they don't snap or brake the aerial more when driving at speed or if hit by a low branch or something)

I can't imagine the signal quality would deteriorate much.. I watched tv for six months before the room was moved about and I realised the TV aerial cable didn't plug into the aerial plug and the wire was literally picking the signal up all by itself.
Plus smart phones use the wire from headphones as a radio receiver, so it really can't be all that complicated.

All that being said, if your car is reasonably common a scrapyard is probably a good bet to get a replacement cheaply.
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General discussionHow to repair a broken car antenna?(23 posts)solved(23 posts)solved
(23 posts)solved