radio antenna

[scrmk]

hello, just wondering what is available for a radio antenna for a 2002 challenger 2000 boat. I just bought the boat and noticed the radio does not work clearly on AM radio or FM radio. I do not want a bid ugly antenna sticking up anywhere so was wondering if I could install something that is out of sight. thank you.

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

There are amplified antennas which are just a small 12 volt bulbus-like device with three wires, one of which is the element. The element is intended to be wrapped up in the helm harness, I guess it converts the entire harness into an antenna.

Boat manufacturers use these, they seem to work fairly well. I rarely listen to the radio myself, bring CD's instead.

 

[scrmk]

There are amplified antennas which are just a small 12 volt bulbus-like device with three wires, one of which is the element. The element is intended to be wrapped up in the helm harness, I guess it converts the entire harness into an antenna.

Boat manufacturers use these, they seem to work fairly well. I rarely listen to the radio myself, bring CD's instead.

thank you, I will check with a dealer

 

[Sportster-2001-951C-Stock]

Sure, in fact I bet you can find them on ebay. Now that I think of it, the bulbous part is the connector that plugs into the radio antenna connection. So there are two wires, power feed and the element itself, which wraps up into the harness.

That's what I'd use, not sure how far you might be from the transmitter. Everything has it's limits but these things work well around here. LOL, I've seen the power feed connected to a hot-always source and run the battery down over a few weeks time. Make sure not to do that.

 

[Dr Honda]

If it's a factory radio... there is a simple ant in the helm. (basically, a short section of wire) If it fell down, and is sitting on other wires... it will have poor reception. I would start with checking it, and taping it up, in a wire free section to see if that helps, before putting in a new ant.

 

[buckeye_paul]

hello, just wondering what is available for a radio antenna for a 2002 challenger 2000 boat. I just bought the boat and noticed the radio does not work clearly on AM radio or FM radio. I do not want a bid ugly antenna sticking up anywhere so was wondering if I could install something that is out of sight. thank you.

I bought an 8" car antenna (Walmart) and zip tied it horizontally on top of the glove box that the radio is in. It works great and is completely out of sight. I think it was $12. It's the kind that has a rubber coating and is flexible.