How To: Hidden Antenna Mod

[brndns_hoe]

I already did mine, but I just ran wire from the antenna to the base, and I like your idea better of removing the base and laying it down....I did drill 2 holes where the antenna lays down on that thin edge, to put in zip ties....and the esky cover that's cool, didn't know about that

 

[puckhead]

Nice write up! Will be doing this soon

 

[Badluck]

Thanks for the write up. The part number is very helpful.

 

[tybardy]

just did this earlier today thanx to this thread! like it said, took about 5 minutes. I ziptied everything in place so the antena is nice and snugg.

nice little improvement

 

[Copper&Black]

Yup thanks man! I was thinking about a stubby onstar antenna, but this will work much nicer.

 

[Narco]

glad it has gotten such good feedback. tybardy, where did you ziptie yours?

 

[Eagle]

Did this a few months ago, and got about a 50% reduction in reception, and i live in town. I lost my oldies radio station from Las Cruces completely, which is my decent to marginal reception benchmark.

Was surprised it wasn't worse, since 1/4 wavelength antennas rely on being 90 degrees from ground plane (the body, ie VERTICAL) to be in-phase with the transmitting antenna's signal. Not only that but metal bodies are excellent shields for antennas. (One reason why you can disable Onstar with a coke can over the antenna).

When I did it, I could get ok reception when facing one way (crack towards the transmitters on the mountains), and poor to no reception turned 180 degrees.

 

[Narco]

yeah, i havent driver very much but i expect some degree of loss. i hardly ever listen to it and for how little i do its worth the gain in appearance.

 

[rigo_jones]

i did this since day 1. i rarely listen to radio but has anybody tried grounding the antenna to get better reception?

 

[Eagle]

I did.