New hidden AM/FM antenna
03-13-2009, 08:00 AM
#22
Thanks to WhiteBird00 for working these modifications. In order to make way for a CB, I went with a TuneTrapper and its working really well.
For my installation, I zip tied the antenna to the underside of my headliner just forward of the metal edge of the roof under the windshield glass. I found that my reception is 2X better (FM and AM) than with the antenna laying on the dash by the crossbar. (There is just enough cable - 6' - on the TT-1 tune trapper antenna to go do down the A pillar, across the dash, and to the stereo.) I would have taken a picture but was unable to get a camera in to take a shot as I did not remove the entire headliner for the install. One other note would be to go with the TT-1 antenna (with the 6' cable) vs. the TT-2 model. The placement/length of the cable is more versitle in our installation.
With the antenna under the headliner and in an urban environment (with skyscrapers around me) I can't tell any noticable drop off in FM reception! However, my AM reception is only about 80% of what it was with the stock antenna and the AM stations squeal whenever I go under a bridge. (So, if you are an AM junkie - this mod may not be for you.) I think most of the AM issues are due to the horizontal placement of the antenna - which puts it parallel to highway signs, bridge girders, etc. - leading to the interfrence.
For my installation, I zip tied the antenna to the underside of my headliner just forward of the metal edge of the roof under the windshield glass. I found that my reception is 2X better (FM and AM) than with the antenna laying on the dash by the crossbar. (There is just enough cable - 6' - on the TT-1 tune trapper antenna to go do down the A pillar, across the dash, and to the stereo.) I would have taken a picture but was unable to get a camera in to take a shot as I did not remove the entire headliner for the install. One other note would be to go with the TT-1 antenna (with the 6' cable) vs. the TT-2 model. The placement/length of the cable is more versitle in our installation.
With the antenna under the headliner and in an urban environment (with skyscrapers around me) I can't tell any noticable drop off in FM reception! However, my AM reception is only about 80% of what it was with the stock antenna and the AM stations squeal whenever I go under a bridge. (So, if you are an AM junkie - this mod may not be for you.) I think most of the AM issues are due to the horizontal placement of the antenna - which puts it parallel to highway signs, bridge girders, etc. - leading to the interfrence.
03-13-2009, 05:53 PM
#25
03-14-2009, 04:47 PM
#26
The AM/FM install is detailed in the first post of this thread.
The Sirius satellite and GPS antennas are merely stuck magnetically to the oval metal plates on each end of the dash. You can see the Sirius antenna in the photo inthe first post. The cable just runs across the dash to the opening above the head unit and then down to the back of the HU (all under the top dash pad of course).
The Sirius satellite and GPS antennas are merely stuck magnetically to the oval metal plates on each end of the dash. You can see the Sirius antenna in the photo inthe first post. The cable just runs across the dash to the opening above the head unit and then down to the back of the HU (all under the top dash pad of course).
04-28-2009, 10:04 PM
#27
Staging Lane
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when going to install my TT-1 I noticed that the connection did not match the one at the radio, it matched the the connection that was at the stock antenna end of the stock cable, those that already installed one, did you get an adapter or did you get a new connector to put on, and where did you find it?
04-28-2009, 10:15 PM
#28
when going to install my TT-1 I noticed that the connection did not match the one at the radio, it matched the the connection that was at the stock antenna end of the stock cable, those that already installed one, did you get an adapter or did you get a new connector to put on, and where did you find it?
04-30-2009, 05:07 PM
#29
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Thanks to WhiteBird00 for working these modifications. In order to make way for a CB, I went with a TuneTrapper and its working really well.
For my installation, I zip tied the antenna to the underside of my headliner just forward of the metal edge of the roof under the windshield glass.
For my installation, I zip tied the antenna to the underside of my headliner just forward of the metal edge of the roof under the windshield glass.
04-30-2009, 10:21 PM
#30
no pics. Not enough room to get a camera in for a shot due to the curve of the roof. I just took off the sun visors, which dropped down the headliner enough to get my hand in. I used scissors to cut a slit in the headliner material that wraps around the back of the headliner and just zip-tied to that.
05-01-2009, 01:03 PM
#32
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I have an NGP (no ground plane) antenna from FireStik called the Venice. NGP is very important because there is so little metal in the body of our cars to make a good ground plane. The Venice is a 5/8 wave base-loaded antenna that looks close to factory when installed in the stock location. I get an average of about two miles with it and better than that under some conditions.
05-01-2009, 01:29 PM
#33
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05-05-2009, 03:53 PM
#35
05-06-2009, 09:43 AM
#36
I can't find the Venice on their site anymore. There is the DS14-FG but it has the coil in the middle which looks odd. You might be able to call and ask them (602-273-7151) if the Venice is still available. The Venice looks very much like the DS14-FG with the base load but with a straight whip that doesn't have the coiled section in it. They called it their "Euro-styled" antenna.
05-06-2009, 09:09 PM
#37
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I can't find the Venice on their site anymore. There is the DS14-FG but it has the coil in the middle which looks odd. You might be able to call and ask them (602-273-7151) if the Venice is still available. The Venice looks very much like the DS14-FG with the base load but with a straight whip that doesn't have the coiled section in it. They called it their "Euro-styled" antenna.
09-13-2010, 07:31 AM
#40
I replaced the factory antenna with the FireStik Venice NGP CB antenna in the same location on the right quarter panel. Except for the load at the base, it is hard to tell from an ordinary fixed mast AM/FM antenna. I posted more information and some photos in this thread. It's a really old thread and I've replaced the HU since then but the CB equipment is still the same.