This unit doesn't have a solid blue to raise the antenna only when the radio is on. A switch like you did is the only option or have it up all the time. Every alpine I've had has both a solid blue (power antenna) and a remote (blue w/white trace).
How about that flap face? In the stock location the volume knob hits the radio bezel but there's just enough room to eject the CD. If I'd known this I would have bought a different unit.