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I'm not a big fan of that whippet type aerial on the back of the NDs - what are the alternatives without losing some kind of radio goodness? Anyone have any ideas, or have done something similar (changed it for something less chintzy)?

Hi mate.

You've got two problems here. Changing your aerial for a stubby one will likely reduce its efficacy. Second, a lot of the ones for sale I've seen don't look that great even if they do have a close to flush fitment.

Both of these aspects give you chintz, which you are trying to avoid. Nothing wrong with the stock antenna IMO.

Yeah, it's a bit of a puzzle. Mazda says the "sharkfin" antenna is the new wave (http://www.mazda.com/en/innovation/mazda-stories/engineers/shark-fin/) and has all the bits you need - the ND has both a sharkfin (on the boot) and the 90s throwback whip antenna. Presumably the whip is for AM/FM (what is that anyway?), and the sharkfin for the GPS and DAB stuff. I'd rather delete the whole whip, but could settle for stubbing it.

Assuming the antenna just unscrews from the base you could try one from I believe a Mazda 3, part EG23-66-A30. Under $30 IIRC. I don't know for certain that the thread will match but I think there's a fair chance.

My Ranger had a long whip antenna mounted on the roof. Fortunately on a hinge so it could be folded down almost flat but looked a bit silly and was still a risk of being caught on something in a car park etc as well as interfering with the roof rack I plan to fit. I changed it for the Mazda one above. Perfect fit and I've noticed no change in reception.

I replaced mine with one of these, radio works ok still.

https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/short-rubber-aerial-mk4-p-3791.html?currency=AUD

d4m0 wrote:Yeah, it's a bit of a puzzle. Mazda says the "sharkfin" antenna is the new wave (http://www.mazda.com/en/innovation/mazda-stories/engineers/shark-fin/) and has all the bits you need - the ND has both a sharkfin (on the boot) and the 90s throwback whip antenna. Presumably the whip is for AM/FM (what is that anyway?), and the sharkfin for the GPS and DAB stuff. I'd rather delete the whole whip, but could settle for stubbing it.

ND has the sharkfin in Australia? You sure about that? Mine certainly doesn't and I don't recall seeing one ever with it.

IMO I'm glad it doesn't too, looks odd and out of place on the boot on pics I've seen of US models, which AFAIK have it for satellite radio.

MikeVictor wrote:ND has the sharkfin in Australia? You sure about that? Mine certainly doesn't and I don't recall seeing one ever with it.

Aww hell, I don't know. I look at so many pictures it's hard to tell where I saw what.