Simple antenna aero mod

[Sean T.]

I unscrewed mine, and put duct tape over the post to smooth it over.

[hhometro]

what did you do about the hole that it left on the out side, does anyone have any better ideas besides duct tape

[2000mc]

that hole... awww, i wouldnt worry about that lil guy.

the hole is in the cowl at the base of the windshield, the gap between it and the fender has more open space than the hole left behind does. and i figure that hole doesnt create much drag as compared to the mast that used to grow out of it.

but yea, its on my list... it would be part of sealing all body gaps when i get to that stage. right now i'm focusing more on figuring out how i'm going to make my belly pan, then a smaller air dam close to the front edge of the car that will wrap around to act kinda like tire spats, then wheel skirts.... moving the mast is low hanging fruit compared to an attractive fix for the hole

[Johnny Mullet]

Originally Posted by hhometro

what did you do about the hole that it left on the out side, does anyone have any better ideas besides duct tape

Black electrical tape with the edges rounded off looks pretty decent.

[wagonman76]

I folded up a piece of plastic, and then put back on the thin black plastic retainer to hold it down. It should at least help keep an exposed hole from rusting out.

[Arctic Fox]

This may be of interest for those not completely removing antennas: Estimation of The Drag of a Roof Mounted Antenna

I've antennas mounted that are angled back about 30°. I can't feel any effects in aerodynamics, but know there should be a difference.

There's also this: Prius Shark fin Antenna

[groar]

Last week-end, we were going to have a trip. While I was preparing the car, the baby reseted the radio station list... I unfolded the antenna into a vertical position to optimize the reception and restarted the channel scan.

During the trip, as soon as we reached the 80km/h (50mph) we could hear a whistling and it was really loud at 120km/h (75mph). After 20 minutes and several stops for inspections, I remembered about the antenna, stopped, and folded the antenna as horizontally as possible.

Guess... the whistling immediately disappeared

Denis.

[allc0re]

Funny, I had all but forgotten about that post on SaturnFans. I just stumbled across this site and it seems to suit my interests. I think I'll do some more searching and update my profile here. I was getting 41 MPG highway with that Saturn SL2 mentioned in the antenna mod post. I now own a Ford Ranger because of where I live and the road conditions here. I am on a mission to increase my mileage. Glad to have found a community of people who think like I do. Consider this my first post. Happy to be here.

[winkosmosis]

To cover the antenna spot you can use those plugs they put on faucet holes. Someone on miata.net did that.

BTW, I'd try to put the antenna somewhere that it's not next to metal, because the steel of the body will block the signal from that direction.

[trikkonceptz]

You can also visit any sign shop in your area and ask for a small piece of vinyl that most closely matches your vehicle.

BTW on the Vibe I think the antennae angle matches that of the windshield, therefore I have plans to remove the antennae completely and remount the antennae in the center of my dash up against the windshield.