[e3tom]

I've retired my conventional antenna and retrofitted an antenna module that uses the rear window defogger 'wires'. Works perfectly. No more issues with antenna not going all the way in/out in the cold, get frozen etc.

 

[e3tom]

As I just answered here.

The hole is still filled with the original antenna.

 

[e3tom]

the reception sucks

As Beavis & Butthead would say: It doesn't just suck .... it REALLY sucks ...

Yes, I admit, reception is not as good as with a standard rod antenna. I'm looking into an alternative solution, too (not yet reactivating the original one) - including DAB+ (local digital radio).

 

[e3tom]

The link you posted is no longer available. Can you provide the details to how you did this.

Install is fairly simple. These electronic boxes come with 3 loose wires plus the antenna signal cable. The latter plugs into the cable that goes from the original antenna to the radio. The 3 wires connect to ground (the blank one), to the positive(switched) end of the defroster wires (long black wire), and to +12V (red one, a switched line from the radio is also available at the original antenna - green wire as to be seen on picture).