aerial rope/belt/whatever replaceable?

[Millenium7]

I've heard it isn't but I don't know why it wouldn't be. I havn't tried to pull it out to check how it actually works yet but mine broke a little while ago. Thing is I have access to a 3d printer so if its a case of the rope not being available thats not a problem at all, I can print in a flexible material thats very strong and potentially adapt the design so its a bit easier to fit. I can also weld the ends of a makeshift rope together after fitting it

So given that, is it still not replaceable?

[Ensoniq5]

Never tried to replace just the rope but assuming they are still available it's dead easy to replace the aerial and rope as a unit. With the aerial retracted, undo the nut with the two slots (bent-end long-nose pliers should do the job) then have an assistant switch on the radio. The aerial and rope should feed all the way out, pay attention to the alignment of the teeth on the rope. I can't recall how to get the nut off the old aerial but I seem to recall removing the crimped-on tip (it's been some years since I last did this), it should be obvious once the old unit is out. Fitting the new aerial/rope is as simple as feeding the end of the rope into the hole, twisting slightly to engage the first few teeth, and having your assistant switch the radio off. The rope should feed into the unit until the aerial retracts all the way, then do up the nut.

The only thing that I can't remember is where I sourced the replacement aerial and whether it came with the nut fitted, or if I needed to wrangle the old nut off the busted mast and onto the new one.

[mcs_xi]

I've heard it isn't but I don't know why it wouldn't be. I havn't tried to pull it out to check how it actually works yet but mine broke a little while ago. Thing is I have access to a 3d printer so if its a case of the rope not being available thats not a problem at all, I can print in a flexible material thats very strong and potentially adapt the design so its a bit easier to fit. I can also weld the ends of a makeshift rope together after fitting it

So given that, is it still not replaceable?

If it’s an early one KE-KH then yes. If it’s the later one with the hex style top, then no.

[Millenium7]

My car is a KF. But regardless, why are any of them not replacable? doesn't make sense to me (again though, ignorant due to not having looked at it yet)
But it was obviously assembled by some company at some point. Why is it impossible to get into it and replace the rope/belt/whatever it is

[Ensoniq5]

Mine was a TJ wagon with slotted nut. The first time I busted a mast, before I found out about the method I mentioned above re replacing the mast/rope, I pulled out the unit from the quarter panel and dismantled it assuming that was the only way (I was also intrigued about how it worked). While it was effective it was a massive pain in the butt to do, but I did learn a lot. I have zero experience with any other 3rd Gen aerial other than the slotted nut type but I presume the other type can also be dismantled to replace the mast, I assume it's just the quick method that isn't possible.

[mcs_xi]

My car is a KF. But regardless, why are any of them not replacable? doesn't make sense to me (again though, ignorant due to not having looked at it yet)
But it was obviously assembled by some company at some point. Why is it impossible to get into it and replace the rope/belt/whatever it is

You are more than welcome to try.

You could buy a replacement part for the first type and it was easy to fit.

The second type is a sealed motor. So you cannot change the mast.

The motors are cheap and available so asking why it’s not possible is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.