Maxima power antenna

HELP I have wife's '96 Maxima SE with power antenna completely out of car. Trying to install new mast but cannot get the %^&*$ old mast out of the housing. What is the seceret?:confused: :banghead: This should not require a Mensa guy, just someone who has done it.:naughty: That is, removed the old mast.:smooch:

I removed mine by having someone turn on the radio while I pulled on the antenna, it came out easily. I used the same procedure to install the replacement.
Mine is a 98.