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antenna, built in or mast??


bjbinsjo

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just upgraded to a 99 sts from my 92. so far my only issue is the radio reception. my 92 with bose gold and mast antenna was better. the 99 has one of those built in in-the-window antennas. i'm thinking about installing an automatic mast antenna unless somebody tells me otherwise.

thanks for the help.

bruce

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I own a '99 with the built in antenna too. My reception is also very poor. Of course the cooler option would be to install XM.

Never underestimate the amount of a persons greed.

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I want a satillite radio! I just don't know about the money that you have to pay every month thats what sucks! I might though! I have a 94 and my anntena needs replaceing to its bent and sometimes the radio doesn't even comthrough! My antenna won't go up or down either but they are alot to replace!

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don't they have those new shark fin antennas? If i was putting one on, I would def do that cause it seems like it would be easier. Would you have to drill holes and stuff to install a mast antenna?

Chris

Christopher Petro

94 sts

67 coupe de Ville

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Cadillac_Caddy_STS & Caddy Man,

If your motor is good, you can get replacement masts from http://www.antennamastsrus.com/. They don't list Cadillac but I know they have them. I bought one from them about 6 months ago. They are about $50.

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lets try this again.

just upgraded to a 99 sts from my 92. so far my only issue is the radio reception. my 92 with bose gold and mast antenna was better. the 99 has one of those built in in-the-window antennas. i'm thinking about installing an automatic mast antenna unless somebody tells me otherwise.

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Yes, the mast antennas seem to give much better reception than the built in one in the windshield. However the power ones are a pain in the a$$... as the nylon bit inside rarely lasts more than 3 years before it craps out..

You then have to rebuild/replace the whole thing with aftermarket bits as per Rangers post, or you can get the nylon cable repair kit from your friendly GM Dealer (part # 22038195) for $14.74 (list)...

But either way taking the motor out and rebuilding it is a pain.

IMO: Choice 1 fixed mast, Choice 2 built in, Choice 3 auto antenna...

As well the auto antenna will need the wiring and relay to work... wiring it to a 99 radio may not be as straight forward as you may hope.

Of course the question as to which mast is coolest is

IMO Auto, built-in, fixed. I haven't had a car since my '74 Dodge that didn't have a power antenna. (not counting built-ins) I also haven't had a car since my '74 Dodge that I didn’t fix the power antenna in...Some are easy '90 Allante and 91 Trofeo. Some are a bear '81 Cutlass and '87 442... I'm really good at fixing them!

If you go auto put it in the trunk... wiring it will suck but it will be easy to fix in '07 and '10.... :D

caddy.jpg

Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac,

I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back

ZZTOP, I'm Bad I'm Nationwide

Greg

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However the power ones are a pain in the a$$... as the nylon bit inside rarely lasts more than 3 years before it craps out..

They're pretty robust in my experience. My '84 Cutlass had a power antenna on the front fender and required replacement only once in its lifetime when I owned it. My '97 SLS has never required power antenna replacement, that I know of. It joined our family in 1999 (as I recall) and the antenna has been great. Still runs at 141,000 miles!

I agree that if you own a lot of vehicles with power antennas, you're going to be replacing a few! But every 3 years on every single one of them?

Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond)

"When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?"

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You could install an internal antenna as another option. I have one in my 94. About the size of a Snickers candy bar. Uses the oem power and antenna leads to hook up to so installation is a breeze. I have mine mounted top and center on the back window. I bought the less expensive model and it has decent reception but not quite as good as my old oem mast one. The next model up is supposed to be far superior though. I might upgrade up to it this summer.

-kg

"Burns" rubber

" I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. "

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I agree that if you own a lot of vehicles with power antennas, you're going to be replacing a few! But every 3 years on every single one of them?

For me it is a winter thing... and we get some creative weather on the north west coast... Usually it goes like this:

At beginning of the commute you’ll get a good soaking of rain… In the 30-60 minutes that is the commute every thing freezes including the water on the antenna. Turn off the car and it goes down crunch crunch crunch…. Do this two or three times and the antenna is toast.

caddy.jpg

Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac,

I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back

ZZTOP, I'm Bad I'm Nationwide

Greg

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I agree that if you own a lot of vehicles with power antennas, you're going to be replacing a few!  But every 3 years on every single one of them?

For me it is a winter thing... and we get some creative weather on the north west coast... Usually it goes like this:

At beginning of the commute you’ll get a good soaking of rain… In the 30-60 minutes that is the commute every thing freezes including the water on the antenna. Turn off the car and it goes down crunch crunch crunch…. Do this two or three times and the antenna is toast.

I'll second that story. The best is when you've already been listening to the radio or CD for an hour or so and you realize that the antenna never went up because of a heavy shielding of ice. :blink:

But I think he lives in Cali so that probably wouldn't be an issue for him. A sun burned antenna perhaps??? :lol:

"Burns" rubber

" I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. "

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Yes, the mast antennas seem to give much better reception than the built in one in the windshield. However the power ones are a pain in the a$$... as the nylon bit inside rarely lasts more than 3 years before it craps out..

You then have to rebuild/replace the whole thing with aftermarket bits as per Rangers post, or you can get the nylon cable repair kit from your friendly GM Dealer (part # 22038195) for $14.74 (list)...

Mine lasted 8 years. Dealers did not have the kit anymore, hence antennamastsrus.com. Repairing it was quite easy. In my case I did not even have to remove the motor. Did it all through the trunk.

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Radios smadios,

I bought a Sirius lifetime membership for $500 (pays out in 3.2 years @13/month).

Got the head unit for $100, car kit for $50 and a home kit for another $50 (into the surround sound and entire house/outside via wireless speakers).

Unlike XM (at the time) Sirius also came with streaming audio on any computer - wherever. I can listen at work and she can listen at home at the same time.

$700 and you're set for a l-o-n-g time. Do you really want to stackup CD's or download iTunes? $700 doesn't go that far with any of that stuff either...

Too bad about local radio.. its a going away...

IMO forget the antenna.

Add power to leave problems behind. Most braking is just - poor planning.
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Mine lasted 8 years. Dealers did not have the kit anymore, hence antennamastsrus.com. Repairing it was quite easy. In my case I did not even have to remove the motor. Did it all through the trunk.

This is crummy news...

They had one 6 months ago when I did the 91 Trofeo... Next time I'm at the dealer I'll ask again and report back.

caddy.jpg

Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac,

I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back

ZZTOP, I'm Bad I'm Nationwide

Greg

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lets try this again.

just upgraded to a 99 sts from my 92. so far my only issue is the radio reception. my 92 with bose gold and mast antenna was better. the 99 has one of those built in in-the-window antennas. i'm thinking about installing an automatic mast antenna unless somebody tells me otherwise.

Oh arrogance works really well when you are looking for someone to help you.

You completely ignored Chris's suggestion and reposted your, "lets try this again", the next day? :rolleyes: I guess this service was not fast enough for your liking? Lets get on the ball guys this guy is obviously disappointed with your unhelpful posts that don't answer his question directly and quickly in ONE day! :rolleyes:

Since this is only your 19th post, I am going to clue you in on an old saying, "You draw more flys with honey than you do with s**t".

Personally I have been thinking of discontinuing coming to this board myself, the archives are all I need anymore, I just enjoy helping people and love Cadillac. The lack of manners and the failure of individuals to thank other people who go out of there way to help others is incredible. The lack of focus in responding directly to posts with useful relevant information is incredible, its become a coffee klotch. And God help you if you bring it to anyones attention, after all its all about freedom of speech. Right. The board has developed a level a edgyness and people's kindness and time is being taken for granted. I recall when Guru was badgered and contradicted by huge egos on a daily basis a while back and we all were worried about him turning his back on this board. All good things come to an end.

This is not surprising however, look at the roads, sports, NBA, chest pounding, SPREE throat grapping I need to feed my family, Artest, politics (OMG, HA) and TV, polite and decent behavior is gone. And so am I. This has run its course for me. When you have a son that was in the hospital for the month of January with declining health and a progressive liver disease, its hard to sit back and ignore this anymore. Good Luck to you all, anyone who thinks I can help them feel free to email me. Maybe I will come back one day, but the BS is hard to ignore right now. I used to teach a computer course at NYU, there came a day where the cockiness and arrogance of the students became too hard to accept and I quit, this is very similar. Cadillac is the best, keep'em maintained

Early on sailors navigated by the stars at night and the North star became the symbol for finding ones way home. Once you know where the Northstar is you can point your ship in the right direction to get home. So the star became a symbol for finding ones way home or more symbolically even finding ones path in life.

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See ya Scotty it's a shame that you had to leave like this. You will be missed on this board im sure you helped out many people and you helped out myself many times I would just like to say thanks.

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Defending Northstar perf a qtr mile at a time!!!!

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God Speed to you Scotty and to your son. My mother-in-law passed in January after a long battle with liver problems, I know the stress that you and your family are going through. If it helps, my mother-in-law was 72 and she had had liver problems most of her life. We are all praying for your son's fast recovery.

I too would like to thank you and others on this list for the fast and accurate support and suggestions that have been offered. My caddy and my love of these cars are the main benefactors.

caddy.jpg

Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac,

I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back

ZZTOP, I'm Bad I'm Nationwide

Greg

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God Speed to you Scotty and to your son.  My mother-in-law passed in January after a long battle with liver problems, I know the stress that you and your family are going through.  If it helps, my mother-in-law was 72 and she had had liver problems most of her life.  We are all praying for your son's fast recovery.

I too would like to thank you and others on this list for the fast and accurate support and suggestions that have been offered.  My caddy and my love of these cars are the main benefactors.

Thank you too Onyx, my son is 18, a freshman in college, now home in bed unable to get up and dropped out of college..., last year this time he was averaging 7 three-pointers a game on his high school basketball team making all star teams, crohns disease developed into CPS http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/nord418.asp .

I am leaving on good terms, nothing in particular did this, just a gradual buildup and the straw sometimes does it. My friend Kger and I have talked alot and I am sure he understands. You may have noticed that I have posted a lot in the last month, I think doing so was a diversion from my son.

I want to thank everyone that has helped me, everyone... I am interested in the Lime Rock get together if it happens. Maybe when things settle down, I will come back, right now I need to focus.

I sent Kger one of my Cadillac bears, take car of him Kger! Mike

Early on sailors navigated by the stars at night and the North star became the symbol for finding ones way home. Once you know where the Northstar is you can point your ship in the right direction to get home. So the star became a symbol for finding ones way home or more symbolically even finding ones path in life.

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Mine lasted 8 years. Dealers did not have the kit anymore, hence antennamastsrus.com. Repairing it was quite easy. In my case I did not even have to remove the motor. Did it all through the trunk.

Ranger,

I checked at the dealer and 22038195 (antenna mast kit) is still a good part, though the price has gone up a bit GM List price is 23.70... Friends, Family and Caddy owner price ;) is usually about 20% less than that.

GM Parts Direct Price is 11.86... Plus shipping..

caddy.jpg

Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac,

I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back

ZZTOP, I'm Bad I'm Nationwide

Greg

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Mine lasted 8 years. Dealers did not have the kit anymore, hence antennamastsrus.com. Repairing it was quite easy. In my case I did not even have to remove the motor. Did it all through the trunk.

Ranger,

I checked at the dealer and 22038195 (antenna mast kit) is still a good part, though the price has gone up a bit GM List price is 23.70... Friends, Family and Caddy owner price ;) is usually about 20% less than that.

GM Parts Direct Price is 11.86... Plus shipping..

Wouldn't you know it. I paid $50. Well, I guess that's the last time I recommend them. Funny thing is I called Caddy, Chevy, Olds, Buick, Pontiac, virtually any and all GM dealers in the area and all said the same thing. Thanks for the update. I'll look harder next time.

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Don’t feel too bad, this is a "secret" part only know to a select few parts guys and car nuts...

If you call up and say I have a '90 Fleetwood and want a mast replacement they will tell you:

1) never existed or

2) they don't make it any more...

I got the part # from a friend in my Oldsmobile/442 club.

I can best your $50... When the antenna on my Z28 broke I bought the whole OEM motor & antenna assembly from the dealer IIRC it was like $200!!

When I ordered one for my 91 Trofeo the dealer told me it wouldn't fit and he wouldn't return it if I opened it... He thought I was nuts... Oh ya, it fit perfectly!

PS Sshh keep the part secret... I still have 3 GMs (two Olds & one Chev) that have auto antennas... The part is bound to be discoed some day...

caddy.jpg

Easin' down the highway in a new Cadillac,

I had a fine fox in front, I had three more in the back

ZZTOP, I'm Bad I'm Nationwide

Greg

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But I think he lives in Cali so that probably wouldn't be an issue for him. A sun burned antenna perhaps??? :lol:

Hey, I take offense to that! I lived there for years when I was a kid and couldn't do anything about it. We moved to the east coast when I was about 13 and I don't ever plan on moving back west. We have a lot of (weird) family out in California...

I know the ice thing. My beloved and mint '84 Cutlass had to park outside all winter as I didn't have a garage. I just made sure to keep the ice away from the antenna...by either clearing the hole of ice before I started the car or making sure ice hadn't built up on it before I shut it off. An extra step, but I always thought, and still do think, that power antennas are classy enough to warrant that. There are just a few things that belong on a Cadillac, like potatoes go with steak. You've got to have some chrome, you've got to have a nice hood ornament, and you've got to have a power antenna. :)

Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond)

"When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?"

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OnyxSTS, are you a member of the Oldsgmail.com email list? I helped set that list up back when I had my '84 Cutlass. It's a great group of people. Still is I reckon. I haven't been subscribed for years. www.oldsgmail.com is a great resource also. Good to see other Olds fans out there!

Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond)

"When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?"

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Mike,

My heart goes out to you.

Please be well our friend . . . .

Regards and prayers,

Warren

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There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises

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