I have a full length Thule roof box, which sits on low profile Whispbars.

The original aerial is way too long, so I have to remove it.

Can anyone suggest a 'very' stubby replacement which I can use while the roof box is on?

 

I haven't measured (forgot to do so last time I have the box on), but I imagine that it would need to be no more than a couple of inches long...

The original antenna unscrews a few turns and can be folded flat.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHORT-STUBBY-AERIAL-FITS-MINI-BMW-VW-CITROEN-FIAT-MORE-/221517278349?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3393756c8d

 

Check the thread but should fit. 

5mm is, in theory too short, as most of the bases are anti-theft (hence the fold flat thing, and once you get the aerial out of the hole, it's fairly buggered).  IIRC it's actually a 7mm fit.

 

However, if you push quite hard a 5mm will fit, you'll find the bottom of the aerial mast will need to spread slightly to allow the fit. Or, if you're feeling brave, trim the bottom of the aerial mast to make it easier.

(Will take a pic in the morning )

I have a Thule 780 Pacific on standard square Thule bars.

To overcome the aerial clearance probs I used a genuine 65mm Citroen C1 aerial.

My 2011 estate has satnav , the thread was M5. Some have reported their cars had M6 thread so need to check before ordering.

Mine simply unscrews with no obvious anti theft devices.

Initially I thought TMC didn't work but second time I fitted it to go on hols the TMC worked fine.

Radio reception was fine.

Got mine off eBay for a fiver, came in genuine Citroen packaging, very happy with it.

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I just unscrewed mine and didn't replace it and still never had problems with radio reception.

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OEM shorter one is 6R0 035 849 but could be still too long. It's about 200mm long. Great reception also [emoji106]

That's standard on mine, still too long hence the Citroen one.

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My experience the same as Superskoda - just unscrew it and leave it off.  Never had any reception problems. 

 

There's actually an aerial embedded in the rear side window glass that does most of the work. 

 

A short aerial is unlikely to be much good because to work properly they need to be a certain fraction of the wavelength that they are trying to receive e.g. 1/4 or 1/2.

As mentioned earlier, unscrew the aerial, lower it down so that it misses the roof box and re-tighten.

 

It then sits nicely in the gap between the roof and the box...

 

Edited 18 August, 201411 yr by silver1011

The one I linked is a genuine citroen 65mm jobbie.

I had one on our Fabia SDI.

My experience the same as Superskoda - just unscrew it and leave it off. Never had any reception problems.

There's actually an aerial embedded in the rear side window glass that does most of the work.

A short aerial is unlikely to be much good because to work properly they need to be a certain fraction of the wavelength that they are trying to receive e.g. 1/4 or 1/2.

Maybe so.

They work fine on my car and obviously are OK as OE fit on a C1

....

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I have braved the rain to have another look at the aerial.

Mine does not fold flat- it is around 200mm long, and attached into a squarish sharkfin type housing.

Due to the height of the housing, there really is not going to be much clearance when the roofbox is on...

 

I think I will go for the 65mm one, and see if it will fit.  Otherwise, i will just have to leave it off when the roofbox is on.

 

The problem is that the box sits very close to the roof with the Whispbars!

 

 

Edited 18 August, 201411 yr by glenmc

OEM GPS Antenna (with Sharan stubby mast) by lotus-gt, on Flickr

Sharan stubby fits under my roof box. Got mine from partsforeuro.