chikin pickle

****DISCLAIMER****
I am not responsible for any bodily injury or personal property damage whether direct or indirect as a result of following these procedures. Perform at your own risk.

I'm sure many of the people here are familiar with the pesky power retracting radio antennas found on '95 and earlier accord. They break, the motors fail, they are a hug pain in the ***. Especially because they come up whenever the radio is on, regardless of whether or not we are actually in need of it.

Well I just replaced the mast on my antenna, and figure while I was at it I should be able to switch it on when I need it (Usually only when my Ipod battery is dead) and leave it retracted safe from harm when I don't need it (99.5% of the time I am driving)
Here you guys go. I'm writing a how to on installing a control switch for the power radio antennas on our cars. This switch will allow you to control the power antenna independently of the stereo deck.

NOTE: This is for a 94 CD5 chassis. CB7 antennas are exactly the same down to the mast (I actually replaced my busted one with a mast from a CB7 junker). The control circuits are the same. Double check the wiring colors if you are modding a CB7 chassis to be safe.

The power antenna is controlled by the stereo deck. When the deck is turned on, power is applied to the control circuit, which activates a relay within the motor assembly raising the antenna. When power is cut, the relay switches back lowering the antenna. We are going to interrupt the circuit with a switch.

Items required: Single pole, single throw switch. Pick whatever you prefer, toggle, button, etc. I got one a radio shack for $3.

Wire. Doesn't matter what kind, as long as it isn't too huge. I used wire I scavenged from a burned out power supply.

Optional:
Soldering Iron, 2 pin connector. I highly reccomend soldering as it holds up better than crimping, and I would get a 2pin connector, to make removal of the switch easier.

$2 bucks at radioshack.

First, remove your stereo.


My stereo is a pioneer model, so it has a jumper harness, to go from the factory plug to the aftermarket plug. This makes the wiring a lot easier, as you can wire outside of the car.

The power antenna wire is the yellow/white wire in the factory harness. I attached the pinout page for the factory plug. If you have an aftermarket stereo without a power antenna control feature you can splice a wire into a 12 volt power supply, (preferably an ignition controlled circuit) and have a functioning power antenna.

The power antenna wire is the blue one in my harness.

I chose to cut the conversion harness and install my connector there. Because it is easier to work outside of the car, and also because I prefer to keep my original wiring intact if possible. You will need to extend the wire on one side, doesn't matter which. Use crimp connectors or solder on a wire extension. The attach the ends to ones side of your two pin connector.

(That was the ground wires, but it should look like that.)




The other connector is for my ground wires, I decided to make a plug on them, so I didn't have to unbolt stuff to pull out the harness in the future. You can see the wire extension on the blue wire coming from the connection here.

Choose your switch mounting location and drill a hole. I chose to mount mine between the ashtray and shifter in the center console. I removed the panel, measured my location then drilled a 1/8 pilot hole for reference. I bored the final hole using a 3/4" hole saw drill attachment. Drill into the plastic slowly, otherwise the heat from the bit will melt it.



Mount and wire the switch, measure out how much wire you will need to make the connection, add some extra onto that and cut. The wire up the opposite two pin connector to your switch leads. Doesn't matter which goes where.



Secure the wiring, I used zip ties to tie down all of the wiring, the connector harness side, and the switch wiring into the stereo area, so it doesn't hang and potentially get hung up on my shifter cables.

I'm sure many of the people here are familiar with the pesky power retracting radio antennas found on '95 and earlier accord. They break, the motors fail, they are a hug pain in the ***. Especially because they come up whenever the radio is on, regardless of whether or not we are actually in need of it.

Well I just replaced the mast on my antenna, and figure while I was at it I should be able to switch it on when I need it (Usually only when my Ipod battery is dead) and leave it retracted safe from harm when I don't need it (99.5% of the time I am driving)
Connect it, and route the wiring appropriately.


I routed my conversion harness, switch wiring, and the wiring for my dash jack I made around the left side of the mount point, and the antenna lead around to the right.



After you have assembled your wiring, hook everything up and test it. You should now have control over your antenna when the radio is on. When you turn it (the radio) off, the antenna will retract on its own. While it is on you will be able to leave it retracted, or put it up.

Enjoy, here is my finished product.