Antenna in Windshield vs. Under Dash

[randywebb]

This came up recently, so I thought I'd start a new thread, rather than make a thread go OT.

Who has compared FM radio reception with an antenna mounted under the dash to one embedded in the windshield glass?

Please tell us whether the antenna was mounted in the trunk or inside the passenger cabin, and whether you tested DX (distance) reception or just local.

Thx.

[EarlyPorsche]

Every car I own with antenna in the windshield gets the same reception than those with external. Take it for what its worth but both my 02 Jag and 06 911 have it in the windshield and do the same as my jeeps or 66 with the stand alone.

[Decolliber]

I had an under dash antenna (just a normal retractable one mounted side ways) in a fiberglass car (Speedster replica) and the reception was terrible. My Carrera uses the windshield antenna, but I have bypassed the OEM antenna amplifier, since it does not work. The reception is OK, but not great.
I think windshield antennas are meant to be used with an amplifier. When I replaced the radio in my wife's Subaru (which has the antenna embedded in the left rear window glass), I neglected to connect the antenna amplifier, and AM reception disappeared (though FM seemed to be OK). Once I connected the amp, reception was great ...

[snbush67]

I have not tried it but its because everthing I have read says that the radio signal is normally too weak to penatrate metal and very poor reception results.

[midlife]

I put on one of the cheap window stick-on antennas, and it works fine; (light too). I intend to weld up the hole when I put on my long hood fenders.
Of course the car is too loud to hear much on the radio though.

[djpateman]

Does anyone have information on the option code for the antenna embedded in the windshield and the model years it was available?

[tschall]

I have an '86 911 cab highly optioned, and it presents a true King Solomon's choice. It is factory equipped with both the standard windscreen embedded antenna, and a retractable passenger side fender mounted antenna. I have noticed a major difference between the two in overall reception. Windscreen is OK, but the raised antenna grabs signal clearer in more challenging locations. In urban areas there is no difference. AM feed is definitely better with raised antenna. It is a pain to switch from one antenna feed to the other though... Options, what would life be without them??

[911pcars]

Any hi-tech solutions for a hidden radio antenna ........ that works?

In this day and age, the venerable exterior body-mount antennas are akin to the two foot long extended antennas on early cell phones, cordless phones and vintage walkie talkies.

Something like the communicators the crew used in Star Trek, a popular TV show 54 years ago. You might recall. The ones they used had zero range (or capability), but a nice concept nevertheless.

Sherwood

[proporsche]

the reception on the windshield antenna is really not good.So i disconnect and past 20 years i do not listen to anything ..just the engine;-)

Ivan

tschall--i wonder how did you ended up with the fender antenna.They stop using them in the 1983...

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by proporsche

the reception on the windshield antenna is really not good.So i disconnect and past 20 years i do not listen to anything ..just the engine;-)

Ivan

tschall--i wonder how did you ended up with the fender antenna.They stop using them in the 1983...

The reception is fine if you have the antenna booster that the car came with plugged it. I gave up on radio years ago, but I can tune in the radio if I wanted to.

[proporsche]

Glen it all depends where you driving your 911..i had a booster it is still there....for example in LA are so many dead zones you would not believe..;-)

Ivan

[mtb001]

I have this one in trunk, ran wires thru fender to behind headlap, works very good.
Krator TLB1800 AMPLIFIED Antenna
Amazon

[RWebb]

do the wires run vertically down the center of the the windshield for the ones with the stock antenna ??

or how do they get to the radio if not?

[tschall]

Tp Proporsche (Ivan), and others with interest. Our car, built in December of 1985 is a Sonderwunsch special order from PCNA. (Special Works from 1986 onward.) It has most options of the period to showcase Porsche features, or so I'm advised. It presents quite a problem when sorting out (initially) all the electronics onboard. The Fender Mounted antenna raises and lowers upon activation of the radio on/off. To switch to the window mounted antenna you must go under dash and unplug/replug. I had a twin to this car in Guards Red & Black in 1991 minus the Special Order status, and it too was a special beast in its own way. A high point concours car, I sold it due to the inability of enjoying it while overnighting on the road. I pledged this one would be different, and my last.

[911 SLANT]

No radio, just love the sound of motor with headers and GT3 exhaust. I do the same with my 2006 John Copper Works mini with Miltek exhaust.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by 911 SLANT

No radio, just love the sound of motor with headers and GT3 exhaust. I do the same with my 2006 John Copper Works mini with Miltek exhaust.

That is fine for a short drive around town. It gets REALLY old after 8 or 9 hours of driving on a road trip with 2 or 3 more hours to go. I have made many 12 hour road trips and follow it up with 6 or 8 hours the next day.

My stereo is just a cheap unit that plays my music from a USB thumb drive. 16 gig of music played at random. On rare occasions my wife wants to listen to something like the Kentucky Derby or a football game, so I need a radio. That is rare.

[mtb001]

RWebb, the wires come in at the lower right corner, into powered amplifier, then over to radio. Remove the glove box insert to view.

[RWebb]

Thanks

So they do not run anywhere near the center of the windshield - in the driver's vision?

[darrin]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Thanks

So they do not run anywhere near the center of the windshield - in the driver's vision?

RWebb - yes, the antenna is a very thin wire down the middle of the windshield. Connection for antenna from windshield is on the bottom, passenger side. Here's a link to a 964 windshield w/ antenna (same config as my '86), if you squint right, you can see the wire going up the middle http://c767170.r70.cf2.rackcdn.com/R96454101109.jpg

[RWebb]

Thx - even a thin wire is not something I want