does a radio antenna alternative exist?

[mshaver51]

I have been keeping track of the responses and suggestions and doing additional research on them.

on pure 'convenience,' i really like the crutchfield concept suggested by '422flatsix,' and it appears that some of the local radio guys in central indiana can provide some 'samples' that would show reception. i'll continue to explore that type of alternative.

the 'reception' issue is important, too, and i wanted to ask 'livefromny' for some additional information. his response says, "results were poor in every case," and also that he "settled on the internal windshield antenna." i'm not sure i am clear on his meaning. did you mean that the 'internal windshield antenna' was your preference because it gave good reception? or did you mean that you simply "settled" on an alternative that gave bad reception?

[LiveFromNY]

We purchased and tested several of these aftermarket antennas on two different cars - the 911 I mentioned earlier as well as a 1st gen Mazda RX7 I restored. In both cars we were unable to get reception that I considered satisfactory with the antennas hidden. We tested under various metal panels, under both dashes, behind a headliner, etc. In the 911, the only way we were able to get decent reception was by installing the antenna on the inside of the windshield, above the rear view mirror. Of course, the antenna is visible with that install.

We also tested some wire-type antennas which we attempted to hide in the window seal. Those results were even worse. We were able to hide a very thin wire antenna under the seal but the reception was almost non-existent.

Our final solution was to to install the later 911 windshield with the in-glass antenna. Reception is now excellent and it looks great. Hope this helps.

[mshaver51]

LivefromNY, you are a gentleman and a scholar. i think i understand.

two (hopefully) final questions ... your 'successful' antenna was mounted near the mirror, so how did you route the wire from the radio? (if you routed it around the glass, would it not require you to make a hole in the seal?)

second, was that previous crutchfield reference the actual antenna product you selected as a result of your research?

thanks so much. sorry to prolong it, but it seems every question gravitates toward minutia.

[trdking]

The wire in the windshield with the amplifier works and works the best. They make wireless antennas with a base receiver but they are unreliable. Unless you really want to listen to the news or specific radio stations go with satellite radio. Awesome and 8 bucks a month

[RSTarga]

Nothing like sat radio, especially when traveling