Hidden Antenna

[Wobdog]

When I repainted my car, I deleted the original antenna, but now I’d like to install a hidden antenna instead. I have a couple questions for the group:
What’s the best way to access the back of the radio to plug in the new antenna? A step-by-step explanation would be really helpful since I haven’t removed the radio before.
Any tips or photos would be appreciated. This is the becker radio and I have AC 71 2800CS


Any recommendation on a hidden antenna?

 

[e9Leveque]

Do you have an AC or non-AC car?

 

[Wobdog]

Do you have an AC or non-AC car?

Sorry

I forgot to add that, just did. Yes I have AC

 

[HB Chris]

Mike, That’s a Blaupunkt. I usually just remove the passenger side console and the console screws only on driver side to pull a/c faceplate forward a bit.

 

[Thomas76]

I bought a basic hirschman radio antenna and found a nice place to hide it behind the dashboard (horizontal ). I'm sure the signal strength is affected but I haven't had a problem.
I had the luxury of a dash disassembled for access, so perhaps my words are irrelevant for your situation .

 

[HB Chris]

Or just ask @Stan what he used many years ago.

 

[e9Leveque]

If you remove the side console you can access the rear of the radio and run an antenna up towards the upper dashboard, near the center speaker. I agree that although it may not be as good as an outer antenna it’s likely sufficient. It’s pretty easy to work along the passenger side footwell and push a cable up towards the speaker, then you can remove the speaker (temporarily) to pull the cable through and anchor it to the dash underside

 

[rsporsche]

you might want to check out crutchfield ... they always have some

https://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/hidden_antenna.html

 

[cicada]

Whackadoo idea maybe but how about hiding it around the front or rear windscreen as is done on some current cars?

 

[ScottAndrews]

Do you actually listen to the radio?

I'm going to put in a radio to fill the hole, but it will be for Bluetooth and USB streaming, not radio. No antenna needed!

 

[rsporsche]

uhmmm ... yes, i do. but i think of sirius xm as radio. don't listen to am or fm anymore.

 

[Stan]

I saw this set up in Michael Burger's car and copied it. A 5 speaker system with amplifier and bluetooth to my phone so I can use is as GPS for those long trips and Sirius Radio the rest of the time.

 

[ScottAndrews]

uhmmm ... yes, i do. but i think of sirius xm as radio. don't listen to am or fm anymore.

Fair enough...I think of it more as a streaming service...

Uses a significantly different antenna though!

 

[rsporsche]

Fair enough...I think of it more as a streaming service...

Uses a significantly different antenna though!

yes, but they are small and can be mounted in very remote places where they are hardly noticed. on my 2006 cayman s i mounted it between the windshield wipers and it was about 1" x 1" or so ... maybe 1.5"