Antenna Toppers and Me: Not a good match

[lyzziesmom]

So I finally broke down and bought a Minnie Mouse antenna topper for my car. Now that I've been driving around with it in my cupholder for a month, the weather is finally beginning to warm up enough to stand outside for more than a few minutes without gloves on, so I decided it was time to stick Minnie onto my antenna. How hard can it be, right? The antenna is basically a big stick, the topper has a hole in the bottom. Insert antenna (a) into hole (b). NOT SO EASY! My antenna has a black knobby thingy on the end -- I'm pretty sure that's the technical term for it. This black knobby thingy on the antenna (a) is several times larger than the hole (b). The black knobby thingy is securely attached to the antenna, and will not budge even with the assistance of my trusty pliers.

How the heck do you get an antenna topper onto a car antenna? Am I going to have to find another use for my new cute little Minnie Mouse-ish black ball?

 

[WDWguru]

Just an idea that I haven't tried and have no idea if it will work, but... could you take a sharp knife and just cut a slit across the middle of the hole? This would create a way to widen the opening (with the slit extending past the hole in each side a few millimeters) without actually making it so wide that would come right back off. With a slit, you should be able to maneuver the wide part through and into the hole, then the slit can close back down some over the skinny part of the pole and hold it on.

I have NO idea if this will work - just popped into my head. Maybe somebody has tried it or has an idea they've actually tested.

 

[wings91]

I've been meaning to get one for my DW's car, maybe next trip. Anyway, most antennas unscrew from the car at the base. Some are harder then others, my wife's was very corroded and needed some liquid wrench to help it out. I'd unscrew it so that you and get a better grip on it. Put a little vasoline or other lubricant on the antenna and try to twist it on to the topper.

If that doesn't work, you could drill the hole in the topper slightly bigger, but not so big that the fit is too loose and she falls off the antenna.

Good Luck!

 

[Mickey Fanatic]

I have found if you push the antenna topper hard enough it will fit over the black knobby thing.

I will also hang mine from the rearview mirror with a little clip and fishing wire. That way they don't get covered in salt and slush! (and the don't get lifted either)

 

[BonnieA]

I also had quite a time getting my antenna ball on. Like you, my car also has a type of knob on the end. I just forced it on by gently pushing and widening the hole. I suppose I'm lucky I didn't bend the antenna. But it's on and it won't be easy to get it off. Don't have to worry about anyone stealing it .

 

[Mecha Figment]

i would love to use those but my car has the antenna built into the rear widow.

 

[kabbie]

I like the antenna mickey heads as well, but got home and realized I don't even have an antenna. The "antenna" is encoded on my back window. So I pinned a ribbon on my mickey head and hung it from my rear view mirror.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Great idea! We don't have an antenna either. I have always wanted one of the figurines that go on the anteena(they are so cute), but figured it would sit around, now I know what to do. Question, does it have to be a lime green ribbon? (only kidding!)

 

[nhpooh]

I have found if you push the antenna topper hard enough it will fit over the black knobby thing.

I will also hang mine from the rearview mirror with a little clip and fishing wire. That way they don't get covered in salt and slush! (and the don't get lifted either)

I do the same thing, I have one on the antenna and one hanging from the rearview mirror. Just push it some times is really hard.

 

[shannon1219]

I bought one last year only to get home and realize that the 04 acccord does not have an antenna. I was not a happy camper.

 

[bytheblood]

I have 5 of the cutest little antenna toppers, but guess what? Many newer cars have antennas built-in on the back windshield. I bought some for my Honda a few years ago, too, and could not use them and now they are also useless on my Infiniti.

 

[Mrs.PrinceCharming]

I have found if you push the antenna topper hard enough it will fit over the black knobby thing.

That's what I do, I just push down and wiggle back and forth at the same time. I change mine once a month to go with the holidays. I always have to wiggle them, but the plus side is they stay secure.

 

[Iansmom]

This reminds me...
both of our cars have integrated antennas - they are similar to the defrost wires on the the back windows.

This past weekend, we purchased a 12-year old used pick up truck. As soon as we parked it in the driveway, I noticed it had the long wire antenna! I was so excited, I said to DH, "Oh, Look! A real antenna! We have to go back to Disney World so I can get an antenna topper!!!"

hehe... just thought I'd share.

 

[suzimar57]

around here (especially when you park at the malls) the little antenna toppers tend to "disappear" - we keep them inside, on the dashboard

 

[makinorlando]

I have found if you push the antenna topper hard enough it will fit over the black knobby thing.

That's what I do, I just push down and wiggle back and forth at the same time. I change mine once a month to go with the holidays. I always have to wiggle them, but the plus side is they stay secure.

We change our antenne topper for the holidays/seasons/mood as well! I love them. A little personality for the car. Right now we have the St Pat's Day Pot of Gold.

You do have to wiggle pretty hard, I had problems with a Nemo one that I had to stretch the hole a wee bit to get it over the "black knobby thing"!

When not in use I have them all (over 30) stuck on wooden skewers, and then in a large glass vase. I also have one on my desk that is stuck on one of those things you use for messages in an office.

 

[PopArtGal]

around here (especially when you park at the malls) the little antenna toppers tend to "disappear" - we keep them inside, on the dashboard

See.....that is why I never bought one

 

[poohs_hunny]

I remember having some trouble with some of my toppers. I guess the holes on some are a little smaller than others. You could try using a screwdriver or something to make the hole on the topper a bit bigger. Be sure not to make it too big, because then the topper could fly off while driving. Good luck!

By the way, when I was car shopping last summer, one of my requirements was that the car have an antenna!

 

[sremom]

At work I have to ride a bus to the parking lot across town. The Bus driver always stops right in front of my car. The other day he drove right by. I had to say stop. He apologized and asked where my mouse was saying that it was how he knew my car from the rest. Sure enough I had lost my Mickey. Luckily when I got home it was laying on the garage floor.

Luck would have it, I have an extra anyway would you believe my Hubby took the one off his car an replaced it with a black ball with the Dodge emblem on it. I thought he had a lot of nerve!!!

 

[nhpooh]

makinorlando
We change our antenne topper for the holidays/seasons/mood as well! I love them. A little personality for the car. Right now we have the St Pat's Day Pot of Gold.
[/QUOTE]

I have the same one on now too! I change them all the time.