ChatterBank1 min ago
Car Radio reception
2 Answers
I have a classic car which has a cd player fitted in the glovebox. Unfortunately the car doesn't have an aerial fitted and I dont really want to drill holes in the bodywork.
Is there any way (ideally cheap) that I can pick up the radio when on the move ? I tried fitting one of those rubber aerials but leaving it under the bonnet but unfortunately this made no difference, I'm assuming that they have to be fixed to get a ground ?
Is there any way (ideally cheap) that I can pick up the radio when on the move ? I tried fitting one of those rubber aerials but leaving it under the bonnet but unfortunately this made no difference, I'm assuming that they have to be fixed to get a ground ?
Answers
Best Answer
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.An aerial needs to be clear of the metal frame of the car. That means that it either needs to be completely external or it needs to be attached to the windscreen.
An external aerial either means drilling holes or using a magnetic mount. The former option you've ruled out. The latter is difficult to achieve since most magnetic mount aerials are designed for CB, amateur band or taxi use, rather than for 'normal' radio reception.
That leaves a windscreen aerial. A suitable amplified aerial can be purchased fairly cheaply, They're reasonably discrete and easy to fit:
http://www.rockshore.uk.com/windscreen-car-rad io-aerial--antenna-483-p.asp
Chris
An external aerial either means drilling holes or using a magnetic mount. The former option you've ruled out. The latter is difficult to achieve since most magnetic mount aerials are designed for CB, amateur band or taxi use, rather than for 'normal' radio reception.
That leaves a windscreen aerial. A suitable amplified aerial can be purchased fairly cheaply, They're reasonably discrete and easy to fit:
http://www.rockshore.uk.com/windscreen-car-rad io-aerial--antenna-483-p.asp
Chris
The grounding or earthing of the mount is for the shielding round the aerial cable core, so as to prevent interference from the car`s ignition system in particular, though there are other sources. On a 1959 Daimler SP250 Dart (fibreglass body) I had to resort to a bracket attatched to the rear bumper mount. I used a fibreglass aerial which resisted the attempts of passing idiots to break it off.