MX5 NB Miata - How to install a switch for your antenna

My buddy Luke does not like the Miata pop-up antenna so in this video we are going to install a switch for his antenna. That way he can turn on his head unit without having his antenna going up but if he wants to listed to the radio he can flip the switch and pop up his antenna!
MX5 NA Miata - How to solder wires and connectors:
» • MX5 NA Miata - How to ...
Things you will need:
» Toggle switch
» Phillips head screwdriver
» Pliers
» Ice cube tray (optional)
» Small flat-head screwdriver
» Head unit removal tool (Check your manual which tool you need)
» Wire cutter
» Electrical wire
» Switch connectors
» Dremel or drill with a drill bit
» MiataMods sticker (optional)
Soldering parts (see also video description Soldering video for more info):
» Protective surface (preferably non-flammable)
» Wire stripper (optional) - goo.gl/RMz9ud
» Heat shrinks - goo.gl/OjrjdL
» Soldering iron - goo.gl/Ck5bgw
» Solder - goo.gl/rRKklj
» Heat source (lighter or heat gun)
Music I used:
» Ryan Little - This Moment's For You ( • Ryan Little - This Mom... )
Follow me:
» Website: www.MiataMods.net
» KZbin: / miatamods
» Instagram: / miatamodsnl
» Facebook: / miatamods
» Twitter: / miatamods
» Google+: plus.google.co...
★ If you liked this video please like and subscribe guys! ★

[@mikelazowsky173]

Thanks for a video, my friend :) ! Bought Miata M '97. few months ago, there is a original radio-CD player-audio tape player (wtf lol ?!) in it I planned to change and antenna just stopped working today... I was looking for "how to change antenna" on KZbin and found your video. Thanks :) ! I will do that at the same time. Question: position ON on switch, antenna goes out, you turn off switch and antenna retracts automaticly? There is no "neutral" position on switch? What kind, exactly, is that switch? Thanks in advance :) !

[@MiataMods]

Hey Mike, welcome to the Miata community! The blue/white wire is only a 'signal' wire so a ON/OFF switch is sufficient. On the ON position (and with the radio turned on of course) the antenna will receive a signal so it will go up. If you change the switch to the OFF position the antenna will not receive the signal anymore and it will 'think' the radio is off so it will go down. ON/OFF are the only positions you need so a neutral position is not needed. In the video the switch we used had three terminals but that's not necessary. Just get a simple ON/OFF switch that has two terminals and that will get the job done!

[@mikelazowski9732]

Thanks, man, I realy appreciate it 👍 !

[@BecauseMiata]

Mine doesn't have a motor, but this would be a cool mod if it did. I'm glad you have other Miata owners on your channel...good to see some NB content too.

[@MiataMods]

Thanks man!

[@krissveismanis990]

Goede middag, I was just thinking about this a couple of days ago as I do not listen much to radio, but use the bluetooth connection with my phone. And here it is, recommended by youtube. Thanks. Will do this mod after I get my engine in a good working shape. Dank je!

[@MiataMods]

Geen probleem Kriss, good luck with the project!

[@Bbeavis]

Nice work mate... never thought of doing this for my cars.

[@MiataMods]

Thanks man! At first I didn't see the benefit of this mod but now I kinda want to do this to my own Miata haha! Thanks for watching!

[@soundskindafishy]

Dit is dus precies wat ik nodig heb! Bedankt voor de super handige en duidelijke uitleg!

[@MiataMods]

No problemo David! Veel succes met je eigen knutselwerk!

[@Seandoestech]

Yet another well made video! You are so thorough and detailed, love to watch your vids! That's a very elegant solution. I ended up just using an S2000 stubby antenna, but honestly, they don't work as good as the stock antenna and I listen to the radio quite a bit still. Nice mod!

[@MiataMods]

Thanks for the kind words Sean!

[@davidhumble6892]

Coming to this video late but an absolutely excellent one guys. very clear.

[@MiataMods]

Thanks David!

[@catjudo1]

Very nice work sir. I have been thinking of replacing my stock antenna with a stubby, but I don't like my options. I replaced the radio three years ago and have not used the radio once in that time, so I'm thinking a switch might just do the trick, though I would rather mount one in the trunk as I use my console cubby a lot and the NB2 doesn't have as good a place for a switch.

[@MiataMods]

Thank you! I would mount the switch somewhere where you can reach it without getting out of the car. Why not hide it in the glove box?

[@catjudo1]

I thought about the glove box actually, but I usually listen to a USB stick full of my own tunes or nothing at all, so the odds of me powering the antenna even once in a year are pretty slim. My guess is that if I ever use radio again it will be a Sirius XM subscription, in which case I'd just swap the stock antenna for a new one entirely. The glove box is a great suggestion, but I just don't think I would use the radio aerial to make it worth my trouble.

[@MiataMods]

Then I would just remove the complete antenna unit all together and plug the hole with one of the window wiper bolt cover thingies.. that's what I did eventually because I never use my radio, I only use my phone with Spotify connected to my headunit via bluetooth.

[@GearHeadsGarageChannel]

Very convenient! I just opted to delete mine and throw a stubby one on, I'll probably delete that too tho...the radio is awful lol

[@MiataMods]

Yeah the stock one is really bad! Thanks for watching and congrats on hitting a 1000 subs!

[@GearHeadsGarageChannel]

Thank you man!!! Your getting closer yourself =P

[@tness72]

Did this with my 1998 MX-5 NB, I have a Sony xav ax1005db, its not possible to turn the unit off, so the power antenna is up all the time, very annoying. So with a switch in my center console I can now turn my antenna on/off. My Sony has also the blue/white wire for antenna power

[@MiataMods]

Nice!

[@MrSillyjabjab72]

what fascia kit do you have for your double din head unit? I've been having trouble finding one. I got a single din atm, wanna change because i think it'll be a little bit more flush. Also great video, been wanting to do this for a while so this is a lot of help! Thanks mate!

[@MiataMods]

I'm not sure but I will ask my buddy and I will get back to you! Thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching!

[@G9BRF5n]

hi, well no I just took out the clock with storage compartment and placed the new double din in, no fascia needed for the NB 1998-2000

[@MiataMods]

Thanks for the reply Luke!

[@MrSillyjabjab72]

Okay awesome, I'll have yo tale a look at one then and try it out, becuase I've got a 2001 hahaha. thanks though!

[@dermax_hd]

Awesome video! Just wanted to ask what switch you used? Is it fine if I go with a 6amp one?

[@MiataMods]

Just a regular switch, nothing special. 6 amp switch is fine!

[@dermax_hd]

@@MiataMods alright thanks! Already installed one and I'm super pleased so far :)

[@LFSDataBase]

Nice! rly usefull im going to do this to my NA :D

[@MiataMods]

NA's have the same antenna wiring so just follow these steps and you should be fine! If you don't know how to remove the center console and thombstone on a NA, check out my 'how to connect headrest speakers to a headunit' video! 👍

[@LFSDataBase]

Thanks! toke out the thombstone today. ah wrm niet NL XD omdat ik nog schakelaars zal doen voor sleepy eye's en hardtop achteruit verwarming. gelukkig is de miata een simpele auto om aan te werken (van dingen los maken enzo) bvb de center box, thombstone..

[@boatsiteproject8491]

Actually wouldnt it be safer to install the switch to the negative terminal of the motor that raises the antenna? The way you show the antenna unit is always powered.

[@MiataMods]

It’s the same wire your headunit uses so no danger there. It’s also easier to wire the switch this way.

[@andre-jm8jn]

@@MiataMods all clear, thank you for your reply ;)

[@venaautos]

Out of curioaity, what is the blue clamp tool you use when working with the wiring?

[@MiataMods]

That’s a wire stripper, very handy if you need to strip wires fast and easy

[@venaautos]

Thank you very much, I will be doing this to my MX5 very soon

[@MiataMods]

Good luck!

[@panosadamopoulos3753]

Well i am trying to do this now at my mk1 but theres no blue/white wire going to my radio...how can i locate which one is from the loom?

[@MiataMods]

You have two options; check the wiring diagram of your head unit to see which wire runs to your antenna, or check which wire runs from your antenna to the front of the car and follow that wire. You could even cut the signal wire near the antenna and route it to your center console to make a switch over there.

[@panosadamopoulos3753]

found it through the radio diagram...well thats a nice mod but spent the whole day to drill the damn console cuz i didnt have a dremel...pain in the ass but worth the effort!!!

[@MiataMods]

Only if it takes effort, you can be truly proud of the result! Nice job man 👍

[@daviewavie112]

I thought the antenna only goes up when the radio is turned on. When it’s switched to cd or tape or it’s turned off the antenna goes down.

[@MiataMods]

I'm sorry to tell you David but you thought wrong

[@daviewavie112]

That’s what mine does 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tness72]

@@daviewavie112 I had a JVC single DIN, before installing the Sony xav ax1005db, and when I switched to USB mode to my phone the antenna went down, but on my new Sony player the antenna stay up all the time, so i installed this mod on my NB, all works great

[@JRoadz]

Hey kerels random vraag, weten jullie of je de cruisecontrol uit een NA in een NBFL kan inbouwen?

[@MiataMods]

Goeie vraag maar ik heb er helaas geen antwoord op. Ik zou persoonlijk op zoek gaan naar een cruisecontrol module voor een NBFL dan een NA module ombouwen. Succes!

[@raihanmohammedjahirmiah1101]

what phone holder is that bro?

[@raihanmohammedjahirmiah1101]

great work btw, love your videos

[@MiataMods]

Thanks! Not sure, it’s the car of a friend of mine, sorry

[@raihanmohammedjahirmiah1101]

@@MiataMods no worries bro! you going to do a video on replacing the cam cover gasket anytime soon? would be good to see the master of miata mods at work on this!

[@MiataMods]

Yeah hopefully soon 😅 got a response from my friend tho! The phone holder is from a company called Brodit

[@raihanmohammedjahirmiah1101]

@@MiataMods Thanks!!

[@dozergyp]

Geat video, But why do you need a switch ?

[@MiataMods]

So you can decide if you want to deploy your antenna or not

[@mika012300]

Welke rollbar heeft hij? TR lane?

[@MiataMods]

Yes, de TR-Lane GPD

[@mika012300]

Ok dus die werkt ook met glazen hard top ruit?

[@MiataMods]

Yes dat past zonder problemen!

[@hetori9918]

sweet nb

[@82raptor]

I have watched enough of this channel to know what NOT to do with MY miatia! Must you guys HACK everything?

[@MiataMods]

Name 3 things in other video’s that I ‘hack’. Really, I’m curious mr keyboard warrior

[@MiataMods]

Hellooooo?! Still waiting for your response

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

too complicated for me pop! will stick with eBay!

[@MiataMods]

Nah bro, just follow my instructions and you'll be fine ;-)

[@sinbon2]

Pretty annoying video with loud music constantly going on and off. Video is supposed to be about installing a switch for the antenna but 95% of the video is random other stuff and the antenna part is barely even covered

[@MiataMods]

I get your point about the music, but the video explains exactly how to install a switch for your antenna. What did you expect?

[@behindthen0thing525]

I agree with bo 9