I have a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe that I'm putting a new HU in. Since the day I bought it, the factory antenna sucked. It came from the factory with a window antenna that is located on the left quarter panel window. I couldn't get any AM stations and FM was OK so I lived with it (I could live without AM). It was a common issue with that setup and Hyundai changed it to a sharkfin type a year or two later. It has gotten worse lately and now is the perfect time to fix it. I'm not too keen on drilling a hole in my fender to mount a universal antenna though. Has anyone had any luck with any other alternatives? I've seen a in-car antenna for sale, but I can't imagine that being worth a crap.
I have done this many times and its worked every time. First you will need a car antenna Motorola connector just like this one http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1283693598&sr=8-2 You will also need some wire, any wire will do Start with 6 feet of wire. Strip the insulation back, about a 1/4-inch, then run it through the center of the connector. Solder it to the connector. Plug it into the radio. Yes it really works Run the wire behind the dash, stretch it out. When I did this, I would do this with around 9 feet and run the wire to the driverside of the car (remember everything is behind the dash, we see NO wire) then turn it around and run it to the passenger side and then up the passenger side A-Piller. This has worked just as good as any car antenna. In most cases it actually worked much better
Thanks Ranger, I'll give it a try. I remember the old Dipole antennas that home stereos used that always sounded clear, but I wasn't sure if a moving car would see the same results. Would you know what size wire fits in that motorola connector?
wow ranger..I am surprised that works! Not doubting you... Fyi however...31 inches is the optimum resonant length for FM radio reception if i remember correct.
Yes and your right, also any multiple of 31 will work. For example 62 will work, 93 will work, 124 will work etc. The slightly longer lengths also provide a little additional gain. And I used 10 ft not 9 ft. Now I remember. Because 10 ft was 120-inches which is really close to 124-inches. Yes it worked well, in most cases it worked better than the factory antenna. It always worked better than factory amplified antennas, because the signal amplifier could NOT distinguish between background noise and the radio signal. So both got amplified. I use to fix many antenna problems this way Klinkster will let me know if it don't work, but you know what, It Will Work. Done that toooo many times
Finally got around to putting in my HU today. I used 10ft of 18 gauge braided copper wire. Some stations are pretty clear and others are not. Its pretty much on par with my window antenna. I saved a few bucks on not having to buy an antenna adapter since I had a couple spools of wire already, but I think I'm going to have to suck it up and mount an external fender antenna to keep my stations clear. Anyone know a good brand or model of a powered, fixed antenna? My first car back in the 80s had a nice 12" power Bosch antenna that was easily unscrewed for removal, but I don't know where to get one. My father got it for me and hes no longer with us
I used regular automotive 18g wire. I attached the wire to the center of the motorola connector. There was a sleeve for the outer part of the connector that I think is for the braided part of a coaxial cable, but since it was only straight wire, I left that part unattached. Radio shack only had screw type connectors so I couldn't solder it(too much plastic around center contact), but it was a secure connection nonetheless. Should i have stripped more wire and crimped the outer ring to the same wire as well? Some stations came in strong at first, but as I started driving, it got a lil crackly and I couldnt get any AM stations.
I've never used the Radio Shack connectors, only the solder type. And we don't need to connect anything to the shield part. But if the wire isn't working, i dont think that an antenna will work. Check one other thing, run a wire from the chassis of the radio to the chassis of the car. AM Noise rejection depends on the radio ground.
The center lead and the outer shell should not be connected at all. AM reception requires a good ground plane (ie: large metallic mass). Have you considered the amplified type of antenna often used in boats?
So you do the wires like a T? With wires going to opposite directs in the front of the car? What/Where is the A-piller? Thanks.
