windshield antenna

[randywebb]

When did Porsche first start putting an antenna in the windshield?

Was the 964 the first series with this? Or did some of the Carreras have it also?

[Weaver]

Randy- I'm not sure when Porsche started antenna inlays, but my '88 has it. My 365 didn't, so it must be between '62 and '88.

Seriously, my antenna does not work very well at all.

[Steeve]

I believe it started in '84. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[Steve87-911]

My 87 used to have one, but the P O installed a fender mounted power antenna. Works great, but then I am usually listening to other sounds than the radio.
I think my windshield may have been replaced before and I see no embedded antenna.
Are the windshield antennas visible or hidden?

[steve911]

Like Steeve, I'm pretty sure it started with the '84s - my '85 has one

[george 4man]

i think the 916 had it in 1972.

[350HP930]

The window with the antenna costs around $600+ while the normal one costs a third of that.

For that reason I can understand people without comp changing their method of picking up radio waves.

The wire is visible near the window gasket.

[RoninLB]

I'm not a good shopper so I had a friend walk into the glass shop and discuss my situation with the boss.

"Hey Harold what's happening?" "I need a windshield for my friend, no tax and no bs. Do you understand?" "Sure, pick it up tomorrow."

'88 new tinted Sigla w/antenna for $275

[kees]

My '85 carrera has it, but the reception is poor so I added an additional antenne under the dashboard and all is working fine now.

Kees.

[nhromyak]

It started with the Carrera's 84.

[MGN54]

Kees, can you be more specific about which under dash antenna you used? I'm about to replace my tired factory radio with an aftermarket and was thinking that an underdash unit of some kind would be the way to go. Looks like my windshield antenna wire is frayed where it disappears under the dash. Radio reception has never been that good in my car.

Thanks,

Mark

[Decolliber]

I got a new Sigla with antenna from my local "Autoglass" chain store for about $350. Install was about $50 and new OEM seal from Pelican about $50. Less that $500 for everything.
If your reception is bad, and you have an aftermarket radio, try bypassing the amplifier. My Alpine unit picks up stations 80 miles away easily with the windshield antenna connected directly to the radio.

[Tim Polzin]

Originally posted by kees
My '85 carrera has it, but the reception is poor so I added an additional antenne under the dashboard and all is working fine now.

Kees.

Are you sure your antenna amp is working? I live in a fringe area (200 km from the nearest city) and the radio in the 911 is at least as good as other cars with external antennas.

Tim

[3.2 CAB]

911 541 011 03 windshield for 74-84, 911 541 011 04, 85-89. 1985 was the first yr 911 had embedded antenna, according to red book and part numbers.

[Eric Coffey]

3.2 CAB is correct, 1985 was the first year for the windshield antenna.

Tim also makes an excellent point. most people with poor reception with the windshield antennas either have a bad antenna amplifier/booster, or it is simply disconnected. This is especially common on cars with after-market radios, as the installer usually disregards the extra"mystery black wire" instead of hooking it back up to switched 12v.

[NoLift911]

85 -

My 84 "used" to have the antenna in the fender...

-Jeff

[porschenut]

I'm glad to see this thread! I've been wondering why my stock Blaupunkt wasn't receiving very well. The PO had the windshield replaced with a correct one for my '86 about a year before I bought it. After reading this, I suspect that the glass installer didn't hook the amp wire back up.

Where exactly is this mystery wire located? Can I get to it without too much trouble?

[randywebb]

So... I could put an '85 windshield into my '73 for less than $500 and have an antenna, right?

Does this have two small vertical wires that run up in the center? Or is that area unobscured?

I'd have to add the antenna amplifier and then I could get decent reception w/o drilling holes in the fenders?

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by porschenut
....Where exactly is this mystery wire located? Can I get to it without too much trouble?

The booster wire is usually coiled around the antenna cable/plug that fits into the back of your radio.

[nhromyak]

Originally posted by randywebb

I'd have to add the antenna amplifier and then I could get decent reception w/o drilling holes in the fenders?

Yah, now you just need to have a hole in your windshield frame on the lower passenger side. Is there one there already?

It's a really small wire, not like your typical radio wire. This wire, as stated above, goes to a booster, then out to a standard radio connector and into your radio.

IIRC - the booster is in the trunk.