Hidden antennas

t_chelle16 · Feb 3, 2006

Does anyone have any experience with hidden antennas like these?
http://store.cal-mustang.com/showdetl-7-5686-23-0.html
http://autoloc.carshopinc.com/product_info.php/products_id/9206/HAB
http://www.ecshylites.citymax.com/page/page/761353.htm
http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=egnsearch.asp&N=115+400580+313952&autoview=sku

How well do they actually work? I know most say they don't really pick up AM, but do they actually pick up FM just as well as a regular antenna? Would they work okay tucked up under the dash?

-Chelle

ForceFed70 · Feb 3, 2006

No antennae will work as well as a fender-mounted traditional style antennae.

Mostly because the metal in a car acts as a "shield" against radio signals.

However, one of those hidden antennaes mounted on the front windshield between the rear-view mirror and the headliner should still receive a decent signal. Try to avoid mounting it under the dash... you want as much open space (especially when it comes to metal) around the antennae as possible.

iskwezm · Feb 3, 2006

I have the Dakota Digital one, work ok, and thats exagerating, i even added a booster, but still fades in and out View attachment 488734

t_chelle16 · Feb 3, 2006

So you think I'd be better off with just a power antenna? I have one already (dad picked it up new for a few bucks years ago), I just need to figure out if it will fit under the fender.

I do generally listen to CD's more than the radio, though. I mainly just want to clean up the outside of the car.

-Chelle

66moneypit · Feb 4, 2006

I would...and I don't think the antenna messes the lines up on the car at all. Depending on your head unit you might be able to find one that only pops up when you have the radio on as opposed to the CDs.

reenmachine · Feb 4, 2006

Looking forward to what people have to say about this. The owners of the blue '68 fastback I'm building don't like the appearance of the stock antenna so we filled the hole, and I pushed it to the "figure it out later" shelf

I think I believe these guys the most:
http://www.ecshylites.citymax.com/page/page/761353.htm

If we can come to some sort of consensus as to what brand looks most promising, I'll get one and try it out.

68converted · Feb 4, 2006

Two letters- XM

gtss · Feb 4, 2006

Just as another option, I have mounted my antenna on the right side A pillar. it is still outside the car, gets good reception and follows the line of the A pillar so it blends in with the car's lines quite well, sorry I don't have any pictures ( and don't know how to post them if I did
G

roan65 · Feb 4, 2006

several (like 13) years ago I bought a power antenna from K-mart. Thought I would give it a shot to see how it would do. Well It still works flawlessly! All you can see is a chrome button on the top of the fender when the radio is off.

I'm guessing the higher end power antennas would do even better. Especially with the technology advances that has happened over the past years.

iskwezm · Feb 4, 2006

i gave grounded the ceter of the ant. lead with good results.That how i did it on my Sea Doo and gets better reception then my mustang. You guys ever see a boat with a ant?????????

t_chelle16 · Feb 4, 2006

iskwezm said:
i gave grounded the ceter of the ant. lead with good results.That how i did it on my Sea Doo and gets better reception then my mustang. You guys ever see a boat with a ant?????????

That sounds like it's worth looking into. Basically the whole cars becomes the antenna, right?

-Chelle

mikec35 · Aug 11, 2008

Little bit of age on this subject, but did anyone ever decided what was a good replacement for a stock antenna? In the process of painting my car and I don't want to cut my fender for a replacement antenna unless it's a last resort.. thanks, Mike...

65kcode · Aug 11, 2008

My dad bought a fastback years ago, it had been repainted and the hole for the antena on the fender had been filled in. We lifted the center console and put the stock antena under there and it worked like a dream. And very clean looking too!

Kevin

BarnStang · Aug 11, 2008

We got one for a customers car from the local stero install shop up the street. THis one has a 12v lead and is designed to go under the dash. So it's supposed to be an antenna with a 12v signal booster. "Worthless" is an understatement. It has a red LED on it so we know it was "on". Needless to say, it's still here, not in the car...no name on it-pitched the box I guess. I would also be very interested in a quality solution.

65kcode · Aug 11, 2008

Has anybody tried using a factory Ford/Lincoln electric antenae? They worked very well in those cars. It would take a plug and a little wiring but..........

Kevin

rbohm · Aug 11, 2008

if you look around you might find a GM style antenna that tapes to the inside of the windshield, and virtually disappears. like my el camino though, it will likely have am reception that fades in and out around power lines and under bridges. fm reception though is quite good.

68EFIvert · Aug 11, 2008

I have the tune trapper listed above. I live in a metro area so I don't know what the long range reception is like. I can say that I think it works well. My house is about 20 miles for many of the radio stations.

http://www.ecshylites.citymax.com/page/page/761353.htm

calpolymustang · Aug 11, 2008

Just a thought:

If you have a fiberglass hood, you might try running wires underneath the hood. I'm not sure how much ignition noise you would pick up, but it would be a stealth setup if it works.
The fiberglass does not conduct electricity, so it wouldn't create the 'Faraday Cage' that occurs when you put an antennae inside metal panels.

ForceFed70 · Aug 11, 2008

I love seeing these old threads come back up. Means people are actually using the search features!

iskwezm said:
You guys ever see a boat with a ant?????????

Like calpoly mentioned; the fiberglass in boats doesn't block the signal like sheetmetal does.

rbohm said:
if you look around you might find a GM style antenna .

I agree. The GM "In the windshield" style antenae would be the best option if you want a completely clean fender.

C0V3R · Aug 12, 2008

Where can you get the gm style antennas from?

Hidden antennas

t_chelle16

Keeper of the closet key

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

iskwezm

t_chelle16

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66moneypit

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reenmachine

68converted

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gtss

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roan65

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iskwezm

t_chelle16

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mikec35

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65kcode

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BarnStang

65kcode

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rbohm

68EFIvert

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calpolymustang

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ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

C0V3R

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