Power antenna

Another related thread prompted me to post/ask....

Years ago my power antenna quit working. I took it to many repair shops, I bought numerous replacement antennas. Nothing worked.

Finally chatted with a mechanic at a dealership which explained, due to some "technology" (which is over my head) built into Toyota's factory installed radios, only OEM power antennas will work. I finally installed an el cheapo, generic antenna. But to this day I don't like it!

Are there any other work-arounds to finding a workable power antenna - or is what said mechanic told me the truth? Only costly, OEM, Toyota ones will work with a factory installed radio?

 

Replace the radio with a modern one and just use the stick antenna. My antenna quit working years ago but it stays fully extended so I left it alone. Radio was replaced when I went to cd's.