Radio Antenna ?

[timeman]

I have a 2006 Challenger which came with a Clarion M255 radio. The am / fm CD player radio is also designed to accept satellite radio, however I do not use the boat often enough to make the monthly expense worthwhile and the lakes we use are not that far away from town.

Problem is the fm antenna consists of one thin strand of wire about 3 feet long plugged into an RCA jack.

I want to get a better FM / AM antenna, one that can be mounted in the compartment which contains the radio, does anyone have any recommendations as to which type?. I have some question as to whether I need a self grounding antenna, or will any marine antenna work? Has anyone added an antenna to their radio?

Any advice is greatly appreciated, Thanks, Timeman

 

[sporsterjoel]

Id go to the auto wreckers and snag one for free. some newer cars have real short antennas. Also you dont need to ground it and if you want better reception then youll need to mount it on the outside of your boat. If you have an Ipod or ever a $30 mp3 player id use that cause it wont skip and endless music while your out boating. The sterios are the same as automotive one just can handle the marine enviroment better.

 

[timeman]

Thank you for the prompt reply...

 

[kustomkarl]

Try moving the antenna wire to a better location before you spend any money. I did that to mine and it works perfect now.

I'm still going to upgrade to a unit that accepts a remote for convenience.


Karl

 

[timeman]

Thanks carl, I did move it around, even toyed with adding a length of copper wire didn't seem to make any difference. I am wondering if possibly the alum. wake tower interferes with the antenna's reception? Thoughts?

I saw an antenna which had an element that was to be taped onto the windshield, that seemed like an easy application, but I won't know if it works until I try it. Also saw a few that had a power amplifier built in, if they really amplify that may be the ticket. My truck recieves a good signal at the lake, so it's not a matter of being too far away.

My electronics knowledge bank consist mostly of the old, "never lick a battery", principal....

 

[FloorStreet]

Yeah, I'm having this issue as well, I believe I have a similar, if not the same, Clarion audio as you. So far I've just resorted to using the Ipod/cd but since that can get old fast I will let you know how my experimentation with the antenna goes.

 

[kustomkarl]

Let me know how the taped to the windshield does...that might work like in the olden days.

Karl

 

[timeman]

I purchased a hidden windshield mount am / fm power amplified antenna ($34.99) from woodys custom shop, on EBAY.

It is about 3/4" X 3X4" X 6" long. I ran it up between the windshield & dash on passenger side, and along the aluminum frame that separates the main curved section from the triangle side sections, mounted the little antenna 2 inches in from the alum. frame right o the glass. It's not obtrusive at all. It was a piece of cake to install, I drilled one 3/8" hole to get out of the glove box area, the antenna really helped my reception a lot. In addition to simply plugging in the antenna (Motorola jack), it had a hot wire which I connected to the radio 12V power supply.
There are still some dead canyons where we boat, but this thing increased the number of stations I can get, and increased my range a ton.

Thanks everyone for all the advice.

 

[sporsterjoel]

Post pic :hurray:

 

[timeman]

I hope this photo doesn't make it look too big, it is about 3/4 inch X 4 inches in length. Hope this helps, Timeman

 

[seadoosnipe]

Photo?......

The photo came out nice!......I hope it stays on well while riding in heavy seas or rough surf.

I don't have a radio installed. I had one several years ago and was on the beach and ran my battery down. No one there had jumper cables so I got a tow back to the dock..........:ack:

Since then, I just bring my portable boom box when on the beach or at Gravine Island.......

For that matter, there are so many others with their music on, I don't even turn mine on half the time. If I'm going to Gravine Island or Hippie beach, I leave it at home.........:cheers:

 

[kustomkarl]

Yeks..that's huge. Too big for my taste, unless you could hide it somewhere.

Karl