Antenna with 5 mm female thread? Or adapt 6mm somehow? Or shark fin?

MichaelR

Hello,

I have lost the antenna of my Kia 2010 Picanto. It was an unwieldy long rod which it would have been nice to replace with something shorter, anyway.

And so I ordered a short "stubby" antenna from eBay... only to find upon arrival that it does not fit . The antenna I got has a 6m female thread, and then adapters for 5mm and 6mm male. But the antenna base on this particular car has a 5mm threaded metal rod. So I need a 5mm female threaded antenna, and how can I find it? I could not get eBay search to output anything useful.

The Kia dealer does have an antenna, but it's all of 20 Euro and it will probably the the same long unwieldy rod.

Of course it would be great if I could instead adapt the antenna I bought, but how do I do that? I did try putting kitchen foil between the antenna and the rod but it failed to hold. Perhaps there is some other way?

And then there are the "shark fin universal" antennas on eBay - but these seem to be mounted on an adhesive. Will they hold through automatic car washes?

I do need some FM reception (not a dummy), but I am not particularly concerned about quality. I just need something that will fit the antenna place and more or less do its job.

Buffman

MichaelR wrote: »

Of course it would be great if I could instead adapt the antenna I bought, but how do I do that? I did try putting kitchen foil between the antenna and the rod but it failed to hold. Perhaps there is some other way?

Hi, I'm not familiar with that exact aerial base, but if it's like others I've had, you should be able to unscrew the 'old' 5mm screw thread fitting from the base and replace it with the 5mm to 6mm adapter fitting you recieved with the new aerial.

You will probably require a pliers or vice grips to do this.

MichaelR

I have a pair of pliers and I did try that, but the 5mm pole does not budge.

Buffman

Ok, sounds like it's either secured from the bottom of the base or moulded into it.

Without having to go to the hassle of removing the base or retrofiting a sharkfin, it may be easier to find an aerial that only has a 5mm female thread, and doesn't require an adopter. (Along the lines of this)

Your local motor factors or scapyard may be able to supply one.

Buffman

Just to add OP, if you're looking to get reception in the short term, I'd suggest a coat hanger for now. If you're feeling artistic you can put your own style into it!:D