Stealth Antenna
 

Hey guys. While I was thinking about getting a rear wing, I was also thinking about how hideous the stock antenna would look sticking out of it. Being that I like the clean flowing look, how would I go about using a stealth type of antenna? Like, something that you couldn't see on the exterior of the car? Product links would likely be helpful.
Thanks
-Rick

certainly easy enough. Just disconnect the antenna from its motor. Then it won't go up and down and will stay inside the car. Though your reception won't be quite so good. It's tolerable for me, though, and won't matter at all once I get my new mp3-playing radio installed.

I just ran one under the rear carpet area. Can't see it at all. Reception is great.

Is there a way to make your whole car the antenna?

Just wondering.....these posts have got me curious.

I dont have a problem with the stock antenna...so just something to tinker with.

Isn't there an antenna built into the windshield that you could use?

It doesn't work very well on it's own.

I had on old Chevy in high school with a winshield antenna. Seemed to work ok, but I don't know if you can get them aftermarket to add on. The car can't be the antenna as you need the antenna signal to have an electrical potential different then the ground plane of the radio otherwise it's not an antenna at all!

As an experiment you could make a dipole antenna out of thin wire and tape it to the bottom of your spoiler. Plenty of web sites run by amature radio buffs have info on the proper dipole dimentions. You'll also need a balun to convert the balanced signal form the dipole to an the unbalanced signal input to the radio. A 300 ohm to 75 ohm antenna adapter (rabbit ears to coax) for a TV is perfect for this. If it works well you could build the antenna into the spoiler.

I ran a booster to mine and it works great with my Kenwood.

I pulled the stock rear one out, and fiberglassed over the hole. 'tis invisible now. That's about as stealth as you can get- ;)

How did you guys hook up to the windshield antenna, isn't the line that runs to that antenna a female connection? Where can you buy the adapter and booster?

~George

Nope. :)

As for hiding the antenna, there is a nice wide open section where the spare tire mounts. Any dipole FM antenna should fit just fine, and you can crimp the appropriate coax end on easily. Reception may not be as good as the stock unit due to the shielding effect of the body. FM mainly relies on a loopstick antenna that is actually in the radio. The external antenna is mostly for AM.

If you want to do some body work, you can "french" the stock antenna by sinking it down into the body. But it will still be visible when it extends.

Actually, I think "The Source" or Radioshack has one. I intend to try it this weekend. Yes, I think there is a female connection from the windshield.

Actually if yalls are like mine then they wont carry auto stuff anymore. I recently walked into my radioshack for the same reason and they told me they dont carry car stuff anymore and all they have now is cellphones, tvs and stuff u could get anywhere else, nothing specialized like they used to. To keep from getting on my soapbox about how radioshack no longer carries radio related stuff ill just get to the point here hehe :)

I ended up going to Crutchfield.com and ordering a male to male connector for the radio entenna in the windshield and it works great for me. I only notice reception problems if im heading away from the town the tower is in and im far away. If anyone else has this same tiffy about radioshack and how they are not carrying useful stuff anymore then tell me and one of us should start another thread on it cuz i could yapp yalls ears off on how crappy they are now under curcuit cities ownership. Sigh

maybe try something like this, i know bosch makes a similar item

http://www.antennax.com/Products/Description_ax17.htm

windshield antenna works great with me....

Who listens to the radio? :)
What about XM or Sirius? :D


-Ted

Due to wrangling with Canadian broadcasting laws we don't have any satelite radio like those. It sounds like we probably will soon, but there were all sorts of wierd arguements that didn't make sense given what has been happening with TV satelite stuff for quiet some time.

Canada is very concerned about protecting our "culture," etc. For instance Canadian radio stations are required to broadcast a minimum 30% of Canadian content. Consequently Canada punches well above its weight in the music industry. Laws such as that are the reason that you Americans have to suffer with the likes of Shania and Celine. On behalf of all of us I would like to appologize to all of you. :)

Hey Snrub, stfu. I heart both of them. Now, back on topic. Don't Sat or Sirius radio both still require an antenna?

Yes they both require an attenna, but a unique antenna thats included with the installation kit usually. It is a completely different style of antenna

ya i would say that the sat radio antenna is about 2inX3inX1in tall its very small

SIRIUS RULES!