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"Hidden" radio antennas???

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by chop&drop, Apr 22, 2008.

  1. chop&drop
    Joined: Oct 11, 2006
    Posts: 684

    chop&drop
    Member

    I'm currently enjoying the engine and exhaust sound of my recently "completed" (just in time for the Roundup) deuce tudor. That's good since it has no insulation, interior, windows of top filler, however, since I may one day remedy some of those shortcomings I may also want to install a radio. The problem is I don't want an antenna that is visible.

    I've seen ads for "hidden" antenna modules, I've even heard rumors of connecting antenna leads to the "chicken wire" in the roof.

    Who has used what, and how did it work?
     
  2. LabRat
    Joined: Jan 10, 2008
    Posts: 1,551

    LabRat
    Member

    Any good stereo shop will show you about five different ways to do this .....
     
  3. We had a '30 Packard that had an vintage antenna under the running board- never hooked up the radio, but everone I asked about it said they worked great.
     
  4. hotrod40coupe
    Joined: Apr 8, 2007
    Posts: 2,561

    hotrod40coupe
    Member

    I have one mounted under the running board of my '40 and it works great. It's black and you really have to look to see it.
     
  5. GassersGarage
    Joined: Jul 1, 2007
    Posts: 4,726

    GassersGarage
    Member

    Mine was mounted underneath the roof of my 32', sideways, hidden by the headliner. Worked great, but I only listened to FM and CD's. I've heard it's not so good for AM.
     
  6. sawzall
    Joined: Jul 15, 2002
    Posts: 4,761

    sawzall
    Member

    I have a standard antenna laying on the rear package tray of my 47 chevy..

    It works fine..
     
  7. 31-5window
    Joined: Aug 19, 2007
    Posts: 226

    31-5window
    Member
    from Michigan

    I have tried few different kinds amplified and standard none work inside my model A. The one that work great was called the tune trapper they say thats its hand tuned anyway it works for me. I found it in the back of street scene mag
     
  8. 31ACoupe
    Joined: Nov 14, 2005
    Posts: 1,416

    31ACoupe
    Member

    I bought one at Checkers for $20 or so, it mounts at top of windshield and worked great in my 52 F1.
     
  9. beetlejuice55
    Joined: Feb 18, 2007
    Posts: 738

    beetlejuice55
    Member

    go with sirius satellite radio...you don't need a regular antenna for it.
    you will need the satellite antenna which is a small black magnetic box.
    sirius has so much more to offer than regular fm radio, and you never loose the signal or station.
    granted, you have to pay for the receiver, sat. antenna and pay for a subscription. i've had it for over 2 years, and i NEVER listen to regular radio anymore.
    just a thought.
     
  10. Mark in Japan
    Joined: Jun 19, 2007
    Posts: 1,466

    Mark in Japan
    Member


    Got a PIC of it installed ???
     
  11. Cam VanDerHorst
    Joined: Sep 23, 2007
    Posts: 77

    Cam VanDerHorst
    Member

    +1 for Sirius. I don't actually have one in my car, but the shop hack at my old job had it, and my satellite TV plan has all the Sirius stations. I don't even watch TV anymore.
     
  12. 31-5window
    Joined: Aug 19, 2007
    Posts: 226

    31-5window
    Member
    from Michigan

    sorry no pictures but the unit is plastic I used two way tape stuck to headliner bow
     
  13. Silhouettes 57
    Joined: Dec 9, 2006
    Posts: 2,791

    Silhouettes 57
    Member

    Back in the late 50's early 60's my Dad had a '40 Chevy 2 door sedan that was a mild kustom and he had the antenna under the running boards as well and he was happy with it.
    On my '55 Vicky I ran it between the fender and wheel wells, worked OK but I mostly used tapes at the time.
     

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  14. Skankin' Rat Fink
    Joined: Jun 18, 2006
    Posts: 1,545

    Skankin' Rat Fink
    Member
    from NYC

    I just have a stub of an antenna cable, about 3 feet long, routed under my floor mat. I just put it there to pick up a signal from my iTrip, but in certain areas, it actually gets really good radio reception from outside.

    FM, that is. All AM stations are overpowered by the radio noise from the generator.
     
  15. chaos10meter
    Joined: Feb 21, 2007
    Posts: 2,191

    chaos10meter
    Member
    from PA.

    I have one, looks like a rubber tape up under the front of the headliner, can't see it at all.
    Local stereo shop did it for me, less than 50 bucks.
     
  16. dirty old man
    Joined: Feb 2, 2008
    Posts: 8,910

    dirty old man
    Member Emeritus

    This thread is of considerable interest to me as the guy that started building the Brookville '30/31 roadster I'm working on spent a chunk of change for a stereo that I got with the car.
    Forget who built it (it's at the shop and I'm at home), but it looks just like the round dial '55 Ford radio with push ****ons. But it's an AM/FM stereo, 12 volt, solid state stereo.
    I don't have running boards (fenderless hiboy), and don't think too highly of a wire stuck to the windshield. Doubt I'll hear too much anyway with open car and the exhaust I'm planning, but it'd be nice for when you're at a cruise in, etc. Thought about using a magnet mount CB antenna for just those slow or stopped oc***ions like ,mentioned.
    Hadn't thought about Sirius or XM. Do they work by input to your present stereo or require another unit? I like the idea of the little small disc antenna that I have seen on other's cars, but never looked inside to see if it was on a seperate unit.
    Dave
     
  17. I had an XM, and the antenna had a magnetic base with felt on it, I just ran the wire out the door opening and stuck it to the roof, Starsky and Hutch stick on bubblegum-machine style.
     
  18. dirty old man
    Joined: Feb 2, 2008
    Posts: 8,910

    dirty old man
    Member Emeritus

    Yeah, that's the kind of disc antenna I saw. But does it play on your regular stereo or does it require a seperate unit?
    Dave
     
  19. N312RB
    Joined: Dec 12, 2007
    Posts: 418

    N312RB
    Member
    from Burlington

    +100000 for Sirius. It truly is the best radio on radio.
     
  20. tooslow54
    Joined: May 6, 2005
    Posts: 929

    tooslow54
    Member

    I know my dash is probably considerably larger, but I just mounted it under the dash.
    My dash had two metal "webs" that were about 24" apart, just drilled a hole in each one, slipped the antenna in and then wrapped a zip tie on the far end so it wouldn't come out. Clear reception for $6.99.
     
  21. One more vote for Sirrius. My antenna is on the dash, even works in the parking garage. I listen to it at home on dish network, and it's online on my computer right now.
     
  22. dirtybirdpunk
    Joined: Jun 24, 2006
    Posts: 309

    dirtybirdpunk
    Member

  23. lindross
    Joined: Jun 15, 2006
    Posts: 1,634

    lindross
    Member

    Another vote for Sirius/XM. Can't stand regular FM programming anymore.
     
  24. rockabillybus
    Joined: Jan 9, 2008
    Posts: 227

    rockabillybus
    Member

    I can't get mine to work without a bunch of scratchy noise and fades in and out. They say to keep it away from metal but most old cars are all metal.
     
  25. 55 dude
    Joined: Jun 19, 2006
    Posts: 9,357

    55 dude
    Member

    sirius radio has it's drawbacks. been in a cople cars and trucks that had ongoing reception issues. the ipod seems to do fine and no monthly payments.
     
  26. 53chieftian
    Joined: Aug 13, 2005
    Posts: 611

    53chieftian
    Member

    satellite units put out a small fm radio signal and you set the station you want to use on the little face unit and set your fm radio to the same staion and there you go! Comecial free radio with some of the best music EVER!
     
  27. Roadsir
    Joined: Jun 3, 2006
    Posts: 4,054

    Roadsir
    Member

    I used one similar to Autoloc. Bought it off Ebay, It has plastic tubes extending out from the center. I mounted mine between the rear window and decklid in the trunk area. Works great.
     

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