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antenna upgrade? (2nd Gen Prius)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by coyote2, Oct 20, 2017.

  1. coyote2

    coyote2 Member

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    Any suggestions for a radio antenna upgrade for a 2005 Prius?

    I don't need it to be short (other threads address that).

    I'm perfectly happy with the original one, but somehow (perhaps vandalism) the antenna's rubbery thicker lower part got mangled. It still works, but the metal inside will get wet now.
     
    #1 coyote2, Oct 20, 2017
  2. hchu1

    hchu1 Active Member

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    If you're talking about the antenna mast, they are pretty cheap. Go to Amazon about $16

    The base is another story, they are about $113 at Amazon.

    For the base, your cheapest is from a salvage yard.
     
    #2 hchu1, Oct 20, 2017
  3. coyote2

    coyote2 Member

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    Thank you very much for your reply, hchu1. Yes, I'm talking about the mast, not the base.
    Yes, I see. But my question is about an UPGRADE from the original.
     
    #3 coyote2, Oct 20, 2017
  4. hchu1

    hchu1 Active Member

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    For some reason when I put the Amazon link it doesn't show up. There are some alternatives listed with the oem unit.
     
    #4 hchu1, Oct 20, 2017
  5. mswtoyota

    mswtoyota Member

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    Never have this problem again:
    Shark Fin Antenna | PriusChat
    The reception suffers a little bit compared to stock, but the improved look is totally worth it, and who listens to the radio anyway?
     
    #5 mswtoyota, Oct 20, 2017
  6. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Me, all the time. :)
     
    #6 dolj, Oct 20, 2017
    kenoarto, Alive1, WilDavis and 1 other person like this.
  7. coyote2

    coyote2 Member

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    I listen to the radio all the time too. I should have been more specific: I'm looking for an upgrade in reception, not appearance. After some googling I'm thinking of buying one that's 25% longer.
     
    #7 coyote2, Oct 21, 2017
    kenoarto, Alive1 and WilDavis like this.
  8. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Despite what your Mom might have told you when you were a young kid, size does matter, :eek: particularly when it comes to antennae! Those sharky finny thingies are smaller and don't have as much gain as the original longies! It's all to do with length, as any radio engineer will tell you! :rolleyes: ;)
     
    #8 WilDavis, Oct 21, 2017
    kenoarto, Alive1, pilotgrrl and 1 other person like this.
  9. mswtoyota

    mswtoyota Member

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    No, I agree that the stock one had better reception, but I don't listen to the radio that much, and I don't have to worry about removing it before running through a carwash. And did I mention how good it looks?
     
    #9 mswtoyota, Oct 21, 2017
  10. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Can't wait to hear about the improved reception you may (or not) realize from this purchase :)
     
    #10 SFO, Oct 22, 2017
    kenoarto likes this.
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