Antenna?

[Allen-GTR]

OK, I know about the debate about radios and ultimas, but...

If one WERE to put a radio in an ultima, does anyone know if the is a source for a "hidden antenna" and where it could go? I just hate the idea of an exposed antenna or stinger if its at all avoidable...

Let the flaming begin!

[davefiddes]

It's a plastic bodied car on a steel chassis. I shouldn imagine it's too hard to find somewhere to put an antenna. Certainly the remote for my alarm has the biggest range of any car I've ever met and that's with it's little sprig of wire antenna tucked up under the dash.

[steve_D]

The latest CD from the factory shows a radio installed in the Ali side skin alongside the drivers right knee. The antenna is a rubber stub mounted vertical in the side pod roughly behind the ignition switches etc.
I have used an amplified strip antenna designed to stick inside the windscreen. Have attached it under the front of the dash almost above the windscreen wiper motor. Seems to work fine with nothing visible.

Steve

[bigmack]

You've brought up an interesting subject. I never could get enough sound to drown out the motor with my stereo. I took it out...thinking no real high performance sports car should have one. However, now that I've had the chance to drive it on the highway and put a few miles on it, I've come back to the conclusion that music would be a nice addition. If not a stereo, then at least headphones or something. Not necessarily for driving the car around town, but for longer drives on the highway. I get sort of bored quickly hearing the motor maintain a constant 2500rpm or so. I don't really like the idea of placing a stereo on the side panels, but if you had a remote I guess it wouldn't be too bad. I'd definitely place some tweeters or midrange speakers on the dash up front somewhere. My 6.5" midrange and tweeters were mounted on the door latch panels and I couldn't hear them(even with an amp). I like the windshield mounted antenna idea.
Cheers!
-Mack

[andycanam]

I tried loads of hidden ones in my car with poor results (amplified ect).... and there was no way I was going to have one on display, I resounded myself to poor reception and loads of CD's.

However I found out recently that it was the STACK dash interfering as it worked perfectly with the block in the back of the STACK undone... and yes it does have surpressors.
funniest thing is that the STACK loom is almost entirelly separate from the cars one.

So there is no reason why it can't be hiden.

[just dave]

andycanam said:

.... and there was no way I was going to have one on display... So there is no reason why it can't be hiden.

What about the FUBA-style aerodynamic ones on the new Beemer 745's? Color match it to your body, and be good to go. I have used the VW roof mount types to reduce antenna damage in the past, but it still had the potential to be ripped out.

Dave

[ultimasimon]

I have seen a very neat speaker instalation where an oval pair of 6" by 9" speakers have been fitted into the doors at an angle. IRC it was an American registered car and I think it was dark blue or black, with yellow end caps on the carbon fibre spoiler. Anyone know who's car that was?

A decent pair of 6 by 9's would provide enough sound in the cabin and would allow not having to mount the tops seperately, and they're right next to you. Most head units can supply around 50W a side, so you shouldn't need an amp. It doesnt matter what you fit as under the hammer any kind of music will be reduced to a faint distraction.

[Crazy of Cookham]

Rather like the factory I mounted a unit in the footwell and use a remote. For FM radio I have just a ariel about a foot long plugged into back. This was made by a radio shop in USA. It works but not well. Mainly use CDs. 4 speakers 2 behind doors in bulhead and two mounted under dash. Mounted to chassis rail on drivers side and had to fashion braket on passenger side. If anyone wants to fit a system think about it during build. I fitted mine after finishing of the car over winter and I believe it took longer than fitting the engine!.

[BigAl1]

The GTR with the 6x9s in the doors you mentioned is in Toronto area, registered in Ontario. See link www.saberperformance.com/index2.htm . I think his name is Paul ? He has the head unit mounted in a custom center console extending from the dash down to the floor, plus the standard rocker switches there too.

Allan

[ultimasimon]

BigAl1 said:

The GTR with the 6x9s in the doors you mentioned is in Toronto area, registered in Ontario. See link www.saberperformance.com/index2.htm . I think his name is Paul ? He has the head unit mounted in a custom center console extending from the dash down to the floor, plus the standard rocker switches there too. Allan

Thats the one thanks Allen.

Now that looks like a great solution.



Well they both do

[USCANAM]

Mack
I agree with you. No high performance sports car should have a sterio in it.
What we did with the CanAm for trips just in case we needed weather or road info, was to get a Walkman CD/FM/Am combo that would plug into the 12V power plug we installed. Got a splitter so that two headphones could be used. Very small unit, and takes up very little room in the luggage bin.
Actually, in over 7000 miles of driving, have only used it once.
The engine we built is music enough. We have surround sound at home, and that's where we listen to music!!
There's a time and place for everything.
Jack

[andycanam]

An Ultima is for enjoying.... and I enjoyed it all the more when I could listen to a decent stereo on long journeys.

Its horses for courses... each to their own I guess.


Must remember though mine was a canam and as such an external antenna would look rubbish as there isn't the option of fitting it symetrically on the roof.