Need New Antenna

[McShanks]

My car came with a decent Sony head unit with bluetooth and all that... But the oem antenna doesn't work mechanically or electrically. Should I attempt to replace the oem one or get something more reliable? I was considering something lower profile, but there is alot out there and I am a noob when it comes to antennas. Also, I have a couple questions that need pictures posted to explain. I have some sort of black box that comes out of my head unit via LAN cable? And I THINK that goes to an HD receiver and/or Sirius receiver and the antenna. But I am not sure, and the guy I bought it from had it installed and does not know what is what. So maybe someone can help once I get those pics posted this afternoon. I don't think this should be in tech since it is not a how-to or anything, just looking for an antenna and opinions on what this thing is. If it should be in tech, sorry!

Thanks,

-Z.

[NolimitZ32]

This should be in Tech, its a Tech question, actually this would belongin electronics if we had that section but yeah tech definitely, as for the black box you gotta post pics, it could be an oldschool Cellular speaker phone box (before the time of AUX inputs on headunits and bluetooth. Like I said post pics and it'll be much easier to help. As for the antenna, either switch to the built-in windshield antenna by flipping the antenna jack that goes into the HU, it should be 2 sided. And leave your stock mast in there, or do what I did and get a whip to replace the whole assembly. I personally love the whip.

[McShanks]

Ok, so I am just gonna get the $8 universal whip kit from Autozone. Save myself some money for now. I will pick it up on my way home and take pics of the box. I think it is some sort of "Source Selector." My head unit is a Sony MEX-BT2700, and there is an option for this but I still don't know what all these other things are. Including the friggin LAN cable... Doesn't look like that's in the installation manual. Anyway, I will update with pics in a few hours after work. Thanks, Nolimit...

[McShanks]

Ok, it's definitely NOT the Sony XAC40. *shrug*

[NolimitZ32]

Yeah I know that headunit, w/e the box is it's not part of the original HU setup. As for the whip, make sure you get a fat enough one to plug the original antenna hole otherwise you'll have leakage around it. I'm telling you its probably an oldskool cell phone speaker setup, they ran "LAN" (phone cable) to a dash mount for the early cell phones and converted the signal inot something that could be input into the HU. I once bought a 93 Audi 90s with one in the trunk

[McShanks]

Oh, ok that makes sense nolimit. Yeah, it also has a coax cable jack like one on a TV, which is strange. If I don't need it, I am gonna get rid of it. Don't need all the extra wires running around by the ecu. That would also explain the box on my windshield that I thought might be a mic or something... Once I know for sure, that can go to. Also have something stuck to the hatch glass that is probably the antenna for that cell phone thing you said. Man, I wish I could post pics! I got home last night to no internet/cable. Stupid PrimeCast shut it off due to "Overdue Balance" when my bill is due on the 11th. They apologized and said it would take 24 to 72 hours to turn it back on. Should be back up sometime today. And I can't upload pics at work... Lame.

[McShanks]

One thing that really annoys me is that either the front speakers went bad or something got wired wrong. I have read that the bose speakers were notorious for crapping out... So the only sound in the Front is coming through that stupid center speaker. I want to get rid of that and put in some new front speakers, Some decent 6.5" ones nothing too expensive, but $105 is the cheapest I can find for the stupid brackets! That's more than the cost of a decent set of speakers... Gonna look for some used ones or something. I don't want to fab something for the speakers...

[NolimitZ32]

Yeah definitely cell phone box. and that thing on the windshield would be the mic. I'm going off descriptions here so dont fault me if I'm completely wrong, if I had pics i could tell ya, and big companies always try to f*** the little guy. I'm trying to pay off my loan on my subie right now and they wont let me do it in one day, even to get a request for notice of payoff will take almost a week, just so they can make a little bit more off my interest.

[McShanks]

Dude, I know what you are going through. That's why I paid off my cars asap in the navy, since military clause gives no penalty for early payments on loans. That sucks, though... I will post pics tonight! (As long as my net is back up and running...) Well, time to clock out. Another day, another dollar!

[NolimitZ32]

I got it all taken care of, Should have the title in my hand within the next 2 weeks, it just pisses me off how much running around I have to do just to get the info that I need. I will never use that bank again for anything, I got financing through them cause I had no credit when I got the car. Now I'm over 800 and have busted my a** to get there, so now I get to pick and choose Yeah man post up pics and ill try to give you some more insight on it.