radio antenna

[Bukowski]

'87 944 na

I have a replacement windshield that does not contain an antenna. my basic question is if add-on antennas (e.g. a copper wire) need some specific properties to be used with a power amplifier - or, was there anything special about the in-windshield antenna? I assume that the power amplifier is connected properly to the radio - this could be wrong. I'll need to dig around one day.

here's where I read on another site (see below) that there is a power amp for the radio antenna:

924/944/968 Stereo FAQ

"Starting with the 85/2 944, an in-glass windshield 'active' antenna system was used. Under the dash, between the glove box and the passenger side fender, there is a small preamplifier - made by Fuba. This amplifier is powered by a lead which runs alongside the coax leading to the radio. It connects, through the wiring harness, to the 'power antenna' lead on the radio in order to get power whenever the radio is turned on."

[Gawernator]

I need to check for that connection. I usually use my AUX by preference but it would be nice to get more than one radio station lol. The PO replaced the windshield a couple years ago and I don't think it has the antenna but I'm not sure. Weird stuff always seems to be missing or disconnected for no apparent reason so digging around is mandatory it seems

[Techno Duck]

Nothing special about it. What you can do is get a generic antenna that sticks to the windshield. These have boosters built in so you can just disconnect the factory booster. Did this on my n/a and the reception was better than the one embedded in the windshield.

[Bukowski]

Interesting

So how big is this factory amp?

I assume if I take the glove box out or peer underneath there I will see it?

[jsb944]

I think my old 84 had an antenna amp...with the fender mounted antenna.

I took it out...removed the early fender and swapped in a late one...and mounted a 968 style Fuba antenna to the roof.

it worked very well if you don't mind drilling a hole in your roof !

[J1NX3D]

Originally Posted by jsb944

I took it out...removed the early fender and swapped in a late one...and mounted a 968 style Fuba antenna to the roof.

it worked very well if you don't mind drilling a hole in your roof !

im trying to decide whether to do this or buying a windshield or hide-away antenna. I have a 968 roof antenna already, I don't have the latter.

[djnolan]

Originally Posted by Bukowski

...here's where I read on another site (see below) that there is a power amp for the radio antenna:

924/944/968 Stereo FAQ

"Starting with the 85/2 944, an in-glass windshield 'active' antenna system was used. Under the dash, between the glove box and the passenger side fender, there is a small preamplifier - made by Fuba. This amplifier is powered by a lead which runs alongside the coax leading to the radio. It connects, through the wiring harness, to the 'power antenna' lead on the radio in order to get power whenever the radio is turned on."

On my 87S the black antenna power wire was connected to a double red/black via a factory connector. I disconnected it and it made no difference in the radio reception. I instead connected the black antenna lead to the blue antenna power lead on the radio and instantly better radio reception.

[J1NX3D]

Originally Posted by J1NX3D

im trying to decide whether to do this or buying a windshield or hide-away antenna. I have a 968 roof antenna already, I don't have the latter.

I bought a marine antenna. Just a wire antenna that plugs into the stereo like normal and I have it running down the torque tube tunnel under my center console.

[mytrplseven]

I've resolved to remove the outer gasket of the front windshield (it plugs into the main gasket) and using one strand of wire from an alarm wire bundle (from Home Depot), place a length of this thin wire up the passenger side and around the top of the windshield as I replace the outer gasket. Then I'll attach the end of the wire to the small connector that comes through the firewall from the antenna amp. I'm convinced that this will mimic the embedded antenna in the windshield. Of course there are other stick on antenna options, but I personally like this one because it's neat and cheap.

[djnolan]

My initial impression is the antenna amp filters out some static but still fades on a distance station when going around a corner. This is on FM, haven't tried AM yet. The best I can figure is the amp power was wired to the OE radio harness and wasn't converted to the aftermarket harness.

[djnolan]

Working great now.

[dgcantrell]

I've gone Sirius/XM and don't need no steenkin FM antenna now. LOL

[djnolan]

So many cars, so many Xm receivers...

[mytrplseven]

Originally Posted by Gawernator

I need to check for that connection. I usually use my AUX by preference but it would be nice to get more than one radio station lol. The PO replaced the windshield a couple years ago and I don't think it has the antenna but I'm not sure. Weird stuff always seems to be missing or disconnected for no apparent reason so digging around is mandatory it seems

Look under the little cover held in with two small screws. It's at the passenger side lower corner just behind the hood hinge. See the picture I attached.

[mytrplseven]

Originally Posted by Bukowski

Interesting

So how big is this factory amp?

I assume if I take the glove box out or peer underneath there I will see it?

It's about 3" X 2" and is up under the far right (passenger side) side of the dash. If you pull up an ebay listing for it you'll see the picture. It has a 12v wire in the sheath that the coax antenna lead is in and they both should terminate in the radio compartment. The connection I refer to is outside, just under a small cover held on with two small screws behind the right side hood hinge.

[Bukowski]

I tried hooking some wire to the short connector near battery, it makes no difference. I unplugged the antenna from the head, that's a big difference.

I read about getting power to the antenna - how can this be done? How would I know if it's working?