Hidden antenna
Thread Starter
|
Clean & Classy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 20
From: Riverside CA..
Hidden antenna
I am going to be mounting my stereo/cd player in an overhead console. I have seen an antenna from auto loc(hidden) and I am thinking of putting it in the area above the windshield and under the headliner. I know it doesn't work for A.M. but I,m wondering if any of you have experience with this typea for F.M. reception, or can recommend any other that can be hidden?
Wayne
Wayne
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
B/B- A couple of options here. They sell the windshield type antennas that actually attach to the windshield via a fine wire. Similar to a rear window defroster. They are tough to put on and easily break. I'm not running my CD player on an overhead console, but I merely tucked a standard antenna under my dash and above my glovebox. I get good reception on both AM and FM channels. Another option is to purchase the small rubber antennas or short stainless wire ones and simply mount it inside the console between the headliner and console. They sell small 6-8" wire antennas on ebay. Being in Riverside, you shouldn't have a problem with reception so you won't need a large antenna to get reception. Hope this helps. Ed
Thread Starter
|
Clean & Classy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 20
From: Riverside CA..
The stock antenna idea sounds good to me Ed, I never considered it, I,m thinking that is what I,ll try. Radio is not all that important to me as I will probably be using the cd player more for smokin oldies. But if I can have the radio functioning too, all the better.
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by B/B ford; May 19, 2006 at 12:15 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, ME
I can tell you that there is a hidden antenna sold on ebay that I tried, don't remember the name but was something Italian. Two major problems, the intructions were in Italian only, and I only speak Missourian, and it didn't pick up squat. It had the wire to the radio, but also two other black wires that went to ?? If there was just one I'd suspect a ground but there were two identical ones both with bare wire ends. Anyway, mounted in the cab it picked up only a couple nearby stations.
I ended up mounting a short whip antenna under the passenger side wheel well, mounted as high up on the cowl as I could and pointing down. It picks up just about every station possible now. I do have fiberglass fenders, metal ones might impede performance doing it this way.
Scott
I ended up mounting a short whip antenna under the passenger side wheel well, mounted as high up on the cowl as I could and pointing down. It picks up just about every station possible now. I do have fiberglass fenders, metal ones might impede performance doing it this way.
Scott
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 2
From: Kansas City area
B/B Ford-
I have used the one sold by Dakota Digital twice with good reception on FM both times. They actuall have a module that glues to the glass. The last one used was in the 56 I sold. I mounted it in the center as high as possible on the glass by the mirror and it wasn't very noticeable. Prior to that one I used one in a 34 Ford and mounted it to a bracket behind the headliner. Hope this helps.
I have used the one sold by Dakota Digital twice with good reception on FM both times. They actuall have a module that glues to the glass. The last one used was in the 56 I sold. I mounted it in the center as high as possible on the glass by the mirror and it wasn't very noticeable. Prior to that one I used one in a 34 Ford and mounted it to a bracket behind the headliner. Hope this helps.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,955
Likes: 9,727
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Wayne,
Did you fabricate your own overhead console or did you buy one? If you fabbed it do you have some pics? I'm kicking around the idea to try and bend something up for my 49
Thanks
Bobby
Did you fabricate your own overhead console or did you buy one? If you fabbed it do you have some pics? I'm kicking around the idea to try and bend something up for my 49
Thanks
Bobby
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,955
Likes: 9,727
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Looks cool! I like the 1/2" tubing idea to round out the corners, it really smooths things out.
I'm going to try and build and overhead console and was wondering about how to attach it.
Bobby
I'm going to try and build and overhead console and was wondering about how to attach it.
Bobby
Thread Starter
|
Clean & Classy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 20
From: Riverside CA..
Bobby, I,m letting my upholsterer build my overhead console. I,m just getting everything ready for him. It was supposed to be this morning, but due to weather conditions I decided to wait until tomorrow.
FF56, your center console is awsome! I shied away from something like that because I wanted three people to fit in cab.
FF56, your center console is awsome! I shied away from something like that because I wanted three people to fit in cab.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,955
Likes: 9,727
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Wayne,
Thanks for the info.
I figure I'll start cutting up some poster board and see if I can make it look like anything. I'm in no big hurry and Lord knows, I have plenty of other chores on the truck to keep me busy.
Bobby
Thanks for the info.
I figure I'll start cutting up some poster board and see if I can make it look like anything. I'm in no big hurry and Lord knows, I have plenty of other chores on the truck to keep me busy.
Bobby
Thread Starter
|
Clean & Classy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,656
Likes: 20
From: Riverside CA..
Bobby, on my truck there is a piece of U shaped sheet metal that runs from the front to the back, It has about 3/4" gap between it and the roof. It is a couple of inches wide and was also used for the original courtesy light.