Remove antenna

[jeapa]

Should I remove the antenna before going thru the car wash? Does it screw off easily?

 

Thanks

[djminfll]

I don't think the antenna needs to be removed. Someone who has replaced their antenna with a sharkfin could tell you how it is removed it you feel the need to. But I will recommend that you remember to turn off the rain-sensing wipers before going through the carwash!

[corncobs]

In CA I went thru a touchless car wash which is a bit different but I didn't remove the antenna.

[jeapa]

Thanks for quick responses guys. I am going to get gas tomorrow and I get a free car wash when I fill up. My hubby always used to remind me to take the antenna off before going thru with his truck and I just wanted to be sure.

 

With him being deployed right now I have been on my own with learning this new car. I have been flipping thru the OM but sometimes I just give up cause I cant find what I am looking for.

[djminfll]

Thanks for quick responses guys. I am going to get gas tomorrow and I get a free car wash when I fill up. My hubby always used to remind me to take the antenna off before going thru with his truck and I just wanted to be sure.

 

With him being deployed right now I have been on my own with learning this new car. I have been flipping thru the OM but sometimes I just give up cause I cant find what I am looking for.

Truthfully, I have found better answers from our esteemed forum members than from reading the OM.

[GrySql]

Should I remove the antenna before going thru the car wash? Does it screw off easily?

 

Thanks

The main vertical antenna part unscrews from the black box base.

It may be tight the first time you try, and remember to put it back that way.

To answer your question though, I would take mine off if there is any question of it being damaged in an auto car wash.

If your car wash facility is staffed they might take it off for you.

[thavil]

Thanks for quick responses guys. I am going to get gas tomorrow and I get a free car wash when I fill up. My hubby always used to remind me to take the antenna off before going thru with his truck and I just wanted to be sure.

 

With him being deployed right now I have been on my own with learning this new car. I have been flipping thru the OM but sometimes I just give up cause I cant find what I am looking for.

Since you husband always removes it from his truck, the car wash probably isn't touchless. As GrySql said, it only takes seconds to unscrew the antenna from the base. I replaced my long antenna with a shorter one called Stubby so I wouldn't have to remove it in most car washes.

 

 

Thanks to you and your husband for your service! Military wives are part of the team also.

 

Tod (US Army Retired)

Edited August 4, 2013 by thavil

[Sleddog]

Thavil, how's your reception with the shorter antenna. I'm on the fence about putting a shark fin on mine. I was looking at the antenna yesterday and something was a little weird. So I check it and sure enough, it was loose. It's tight now.

[hermans]

I have the "Shark Fin" and haven't noticed any difference in reception. Some have reported not as good reception with HD radio, but I don't have it on the FFH.

[MaineFusion]

I was looking at reviews of the shark fin on other forums and am really worried about the reduced radio reception some people are reporting. As it it, the reception of my favorite radio station is kind of weak in some spots on my daily commute. I don't want to risk making it worse. I might try the Stubby antenna because it is easier to swap back and forth than the shark fin and I'd like to have a unique looking antenna as it would make it easier to spot my FFH from a group of them.

 

In regards to the question about removing the antenna before going through a car wash, this has never occurred to me and I go through brushed car washes on a regular basis with no ill effects. The stock antenna is pretty flexible.

[thavil]

Thavil, how's your reception with the shorter antenna. I'm on the fence about putting a shark fin on mine. I was looking at the antenna yesterday and something was a little weird. So I check it and sure enough, it was loose. It's tight now.

If Visual Garage's website would have been up and running at the beginning of July like advertised, I would have purchased a shark fin. I opted for the Stubby instead.

 

Within my commuting area, I do not notice any reception drop in FM or Sirius. On my trip to TN, I did lose my favorite FM channel a little sooner than normal but no big deal for me. Sirius reception was unaffected during the entire trip (too bad the antenna can't make Sirius sound better!). I don't have HD, so I can't comment on that.

[jeapa]

Since you husband always removes it from his truck, the car wash probably isn't touchless. As GrySql said, it only takes seconds to unscrew the antenna from the base. I replaced my long antenna with a shorter one called Stubby so I wouldn't have to remove it in most car washes.

 

 

Thanks to you and your husband for your service! Military wives are part of the team also.

 

Tod (US Army Retired)

 

Thanks so much everyone. I will remove it just to be on the safe side. I like that stubby antenna.

 

Thanks for your support Tod, and your service also. This is my husband's 3rd deployment since the first Iraqi war back when Bush number 1 was president. He is Army also. I am hoping this will be his last as he has 28 years in, and I want him to retire when he gets home next year.

Edited August 4, 2013 by jeapa

[fusionTX]

I have been through one car wash with brushes and the antenna was fine. It doesn't hurt to be safe and take it off. But if you happen to forget, you will probably be OK

[acdii]

It wont hurt it as long as it is tight, its small and springy, and can handle more abuse than you think.