What method of hiding the radio antenna achieves the best results? I have heard of a few different methods. I have read about mounting it under the fender, seems like a simple solution, but have heard mixed results about how good the signal is, have also read that some people cut the mounting tabs off the base and shove the antenna mast inside the passenger side A pillar and the black adhesive that holds the roof on holds it in place, seems really easy. On sunroof cars I know some people use the sunroof framework as an antenna which is pretty cool, but that method wont work for me because my car is a hard top.
Currently my car has a horribly installed power antenna that the previous owner installed, and just like all of his other "mods" were done terribly.It goes up at some weird angle that is no where near straight. I don't know how anyone could install that, step back and take a look and think I'm done looks great.
I do not use the FM much because I have an AUX hookup and that is the main thing that I use. Currently I have the antenna disconnected because it just looks terrible when it's up, and I would rather just not have FM until I get it fixed then to have to look at it. But it would be nice to have functioning FM again. Doesn't have to be crystal clear or the best reception in the world (since I don't use it everyday), but what is the best option?
I don't know how anyone could install that, step back and take a look and think I'm done looks great.
Hahah... that's pretty funny.
As for the antenna, I think you'd want it at the highest point possible. Could you maybe try removing the rear quarter section.. the part that covers the rear of the roof, and the quarter panels, and the brake / rear trunk area. When you remove it, you can then lay out some sort of antenna in the roof section and then feed the antenna wire back around to the front. This would give you reception up high, and then you wouldn't really need an antennae anyway.
I understand the point of having the antenna as high as possible, but does two feet make any real difference when the signal is transmitting from hundreds of feet in the air and miles away?
Just did this= Easiest solution as follows: Unbolt 4 fender bolts to flex fender for access to removed antenna base screws. Loop base and wire back into interior. I used plastic cap/hole just behind antenna penetration. (guess is cap is route for wires to power windows option? If so & equipped, modified method needed or just trickier to route back) Removed plastic cap. Stuck base/with wire back thru to interior. Cut slot in cap re-installed & silicone sealed. Tie wrap base to inside bracket (floor option light bracket, I did not have light option likely doesn’t matter? Mount any which way). Antenna goes under dash pointed to driver side. Sand under/around fender hole, Back patch with epoxy. Reinstall fender bolts. Too easy!
Just did this= Easiest solution as follows: Unbolt 4 fender bolts to flex fender for access to removed antenna base screws. Loop base and wire back into interior. I used plastic cap/hole just behind antenna penetration. (guess is cap is route for wires to power windows option? If so & equipped, modified method needed or just trickier to route back) Removed plastic cap. Stuck base/with wire back thru to interior. Cut slot in cap re-installed & silicone sealed. Tie wrap base to inside bracket (floor option light bracket, I did not have light option likely doesn’t matter? Mount any which way). Antenna goes under dash pointed to driver side. Sand under/around fender hole, Back patch with epoxy. Reinstall fender bolts. Too easy!
I did something similar although different process on my old truck. Long story short, lady backed into me in parking lot dented front fender. She had "recent accidents" and was afraid what her husband would say so paid me cash to get it fixed. I went and picked up a new fender, valance, parking light, grille, bumper and bumper cap. The new fender didn't have a hole for the antenna. Personaly I wanted to shave the antenna anyways so I thought "Great!". So I did like you, except I unplugged the antenna from the radio and worked the wire out rather than the antenna in. Once I had it out I positioned it up under the dash and plugged it in. Worst frackin reception I ever have had from an antenna on a vehicle. I tried several different places up behind the dash and it didn't get any better. I ended up running it behind the plastic cover on one of the a-pilars and that helped reception alot.
[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 11-05-2013).]
Ok I have to admit I did not evaluate reception in full detail. But it is the "easy" job as noted. I assume you are correct and not as good reception as many other alternates. If best reception wanted, keep it original. It does work better than no antenna at all andI get the local Classic rock channel "THE GATOR" so thats needed. Car did 25+ years of daily driving, now just a toy. I will NOT drive far (especially with no air conditioning in Florida) and likley most the time need to listen for stuff braking anyway, instead of the radio!
I understand the point of having the antenna as high as possible, but does two feet make any real difference when the signal is transmitting from hundreds of feet in the air and miles away?
Not as high as possible, at the correct height for the best reception, look at most other cars with solid antennas, they are very close to the same height.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
This is what I've done to eliminate the stick antenna and still receive great radio reception. It may be a little more than what most people want to get into. (pic from the drivers side B-Pillar) you can see the white antenna wire.
This is what I've done to eliminate the stick antenna and still receive great radio reception. It may be a little more than what most people want to get into. (pic from the drivers side B-Pillar) you can see the white antenna wire.
That's pretty cool, definitely more work than I want to do for just a hidden antenna though.
I understand the point of having the antenna as high as possible, but does two feet make any real difference when the signal is transmitting from hundreds of feet in the air and miles away?
"Height" is a bit of a misnomer here. As the antenna does not need to be vertically oriented at all. It however, does need to be a certain length. You also need to understand that the metal rod isn't the only "antenna" here. The entire length of wire which runs from the antenna mount to the back of the head unit, is part of the antenna, and also receives radio waves, though obviously will have a significant amount of its reception blocked by the chassis metal and other solids covering it, which the radio waves do not pass through.
As for the OEM Fiero antenna, it is as long as it is, because it's simply a sold metal rod. You'll notice on modern cars with shorter "antennas" that they are actually a wire wound at a certain angle, around a composite rod, and sometimes the rod is slightly tapered. The actual antenna here is the wire that is wound around the rod, and not the rod itself. If you unwind that wire, it will be approximately the same length as the solid metal antenna on the Fiero.
There is a fair bit of math involved, but to be able to tune in specific frequencies, an antenna needs to be a certain length. Also, the "hundreds of feet in the air" is also a bit off. The amplitude of the waves is quite tall, and they are emitted in multiple directions, not simply exactly horizontally from the radio station. They also bounce off clouds, buildings, and other things on the surface of the planet. Which is why you still get FM and cellular reception, even in downtown Manhattan.
One alternative is the under-rear-bumper-antenna used on a Mercedes SLK. This sounds like a solution that would be very viable for installation under the front Fiero bumper. The cable could be routed under the RH fender and then as a replacement of the original antenna wire.
Part numbers: (found on the net):
A 170 820 00 75 Antenna A 170 820 00 89 RF-amplifier
It seems to be an AM/FM (!) antenna, and since it's Mercedes and not "Made in China" I'm pretty sure it's not crap.
