It turned out to be easier than I thought. Here's what I did:

1. Remove the panel below the steering wheel.
2. The antenna connector is on the left side in plain view - disconnect the male end from the female end (that is routed to the radio).
3. Remove the two phillips/slotted screws that fasten the antenna base to the roof.
4. Pull the antenna and cable out.
5. Fish the new antenna (I bought it on Ebay for about $20) cable (as far as it will go) down into the pillar channel.
6. Stick your hand behind all the wires and from the firewall, make your way towards the left side. You will feel a large opening. That's where the antenna cable comes through. Grab the cable and rout it towards the female connector.
7. Plug it in and reinstall the lower panel.

I was a bit worried that it's be tough to find the connection between the short cable that goes to the radio and the antenna cable, but Honda placed it where it can easily be reached. Pulling the pillar trim off doesn't do you any good, since the antenna cable is inside and cannot be seen.

Dave

 

Year and model?

 

Oops. sorry - it's a 97 Civic CX 5-speed.

 

Ok, I had a broken antenna and needed to install a new one. I searched on the forums and found a DIY that said it would take 1 full day. Unfortunately I didn't have a full day to install the antenna inside the a-pillar.
So, I got the brilliantly practical idea to install the antenna wire inbeween the a-pillar and the a-pillar cover. Here's what you do.

1. Remove the old antenna.
2. Get punch and punch a spot for a drill bit to go into the cabin.
3. Begin drilling through a-pillar, with the largest bit you can find that will allow the antenna connector to fit through.
4. Install cable, using existing cable holders beneath the a-pillar cover.
5. Hide cable as best you can in dash.
6. Remove radio from dash.
7. Run cable to radio hole, hiding cable as best you can under dash.
8. Hook up cable to radio.
9. Re-install radio.
10. Re-install all hard parts to their proper location.
11. Turn on car to make sure it all works.
12. Enjoy your new antenna looks.

 

^ You should probably put silicon around where the antenna connects to the car since you drilled into the cabin or it will leak when it rains a lot.

 

I was just thinking that after I had it all finished up.

 

What? A full day? That's crazy. It took my son and me no more than 20 minutes. You don't have to touch the radio at all. The only thing I didn't like about the replacement attenna was the screws - they rust out in a hurry. It's best to use stainless steel screws.

 

Maybe it is the difference in the models and years because I did find one thread that said it took him all day.

 

you guys and your funny antennas, 7th gens ftw