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Registered
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 30
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Power Antenna Switch Ideas
So I installed a new black Hirschman powered antenna in my 84 targa. All is well but I had no idea how big those bad boys are and it disrupts the nice lines of the 911.
The truth is that I use my ipod 90% of the time and don't need the antenna up unless I am listening to the news or my dismal of late Padres. My deck powers the antenna regardless if you are using the tuner or not. My question is if anybody has installed an antenna switch. One idea I had was to hack the audio speaker fader switch in the center console but I am not sure if you could run low voltage through that guy and if it would work. The other idea I had was to mount a small switch under the dash. Any ideas or thoughts? Thanks! |
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04-16-2006, 01:31 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 415
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If your tuner powers the antenna if the tuner is turned off, then you don't have the signal-trip wire connected. There should be a wire running off of your tuner (usually blue) that goes to the a signal trip wire on the antenna. This "triggers" the antenna to extend only when the tuner is switched to "on." Take a look on the Hirshman and see if you have any unused and/or disconnected wires. If for some reason, your tuner doesn't have a trip wire, it's pretty simple to wire it to turn on manually. Just find a a switched power terminal at your fuse box and run that wire back to the 12 volt wire on the antenna. Splice the connection into a toggle or rocker switch and hide it somewhere on the underside of the dash.....now, when the ignition is on, you can manually turn your antenna up or down.
Steve
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'82 911 SC |
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04-16-2006, 02:22 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2,356
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Not to change the direction of the original post but - I'm replacing my front fenders and the new ones don't have a hole drilled for an antenna. I agree with kayalove - I like the clean antenna free lines. Is there an option of some kind of an antenna that is interior mounted?
Tom
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'74 911 Red Sunroof Coupe, 3.6L, etc... '76 912 Yellow SPEC 911/911CUP |
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04-16-2006, 07:01 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 415
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I explored the idea of a hidden antenna....the hot-rod guys use them all the time. I tried a hidden antenna from Pep Boys, but it just didn't do the job. Some of the better hot-rod shops carry them or can order them, but the owner of a custom shop told me that they're only marginally better than the cheapie that I tried from Pep Boys.
Steve
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'82 911 SC |
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04-16-2006, 07:23 PM
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Will program for food
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My winshield has the antenna - but I would not change your winshield just for that. Does the hidden antenna have a signal amplifier/booster?
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Greg Hnat 87 Targa Disassembled 90 944 S2 Auto-x, DE and semi-daily driver 98 Jeep Cherokee |
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04-16-2006, 08:25 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 415
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The one I tried had a 12 volt connection for a signal amplifier. I know it was working because a small LED light activated on the booster, but the AM reception was still not acceptable. Actually, I only went to the trouble of installing an electric antenna for my wife...I'd just rather listen to the car.
Steve
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'82 911 SC |
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04-17-2006, 05:52 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Idaho
Posts: 2,356
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How does the windshield antenna work - can it be retrofit to an earlier car? I know they're more expensive!
Thanks, Tom
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'74 911 Red Sunroof Coupe, 3.6L, etc... '76 912 Yellow SPEC 911/911CUP |
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04-17-2006, 07:06 AM
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944
Jeep
911
