Aerial Mounting

Post by **d_harris** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:44 pm

I've just been letting my mind wander around stereo fitment in the trav and I realised that I need to fit an aerial.

Now, being a cheapskate I've managed to track down one of the rubber ones that you sometimes see poking out of peoples wings. I don't want to do that, I think it looks ghastly. What did think of was using the rear bumper mounts for an L Shaped bracket and I'll mount the ariel on the bracket - I have a feeling that might snag the doors however.

For those not familiar with trav rear bumper irons they are a rather odd shape but do something along the lines of this _/ \_|---------|_/ \_ now, is there any reason that I shouldn't try and put the arial behind where the number plate normally goes? That way it will be nicely out of sight. Okay, I know it will require some clever mount arrangment but I'm sure I'm big enough and ugly enough to work that out.

Post by **ASL642** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:20 pm

I think you might find it snaps off when you open the rear doors without thinking first. I've got an aerial that mounts along the inside of the front screen (rather like the old stereo ones that you used to tack to the skirting board but about 7" long. It attaches to the front screen and theres a tiny black box for the works They're powered amps. The wires go down the passenger air vent though the glove box and out through a bulkhead hole. They came from a local motor factors but should be available elsewhere

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:32 am

Thanks for that Lou, as I said though I am a cheapskate and I am determined to use this ariel. I was thinking of mounting it so that it actually runs behind where the number plate would normally be (parallel with the ground) that way its out of sight and won't foul anything.

Also, knowing my rear doors if anything fouls them they will break first!

Post by **alex_holden** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:39 am

You could try it but I doubt you'll get good reception down there.

Post by **Peetee** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:28 pm

Why don't you fix the aerial to an L plate and set that up behind the nut on the door hinge?

Post by **Rob_Jennings** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:05 pm

an aerial normally needs a good ground plane underneath, so mounting it almost flat against a metal surface is not going to work too well.

the best position is actually roof mounted, as most modern cars go for. Otherwise one of these internal amplified units that stick to a window work well enough in most cases.

If you want to use the one you should look to the roof or wing mounting for best results. Not that it wont work where you suggest, but it will be shielded and give poor reception esp with long cable run needed.

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:21 pm

Okay. Thanks guys. Looks like its going to be wing mounted then

Post by **polo2k** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:51 pm

what about a bracket on the top of the door, or a bracket to go under the guttering, that way the holes wont be so obvious.

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:27 am

Or roof mounting, which is where mine is

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:18 pm

Problem with roof mounting is you have to drill a hole in the roof and re-do the headlinging. Not something I'm planing on doing soon (it is however, a slightly long term and I've aerial plans for then....)

Post by **polo2k** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:27 pm

polo2k wrote:what about a bracket on the top of the door, or a bracket to go under the guttering, that way the holes wont be so obvious.

all i ment with this was a 2"x1" plate of aluminium with 2 small holes at one end and one big hole at the other, the 2 small ones are for self tappers going vertically upwards into the door aperture and then on the other end of it, the arial obviously vertically upwards from there,
or tou could twist it 90 degrees along its length and fit it to the rear of the door aperture.

Post by **eastona** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:37 pm

I've got a similar problem, but with a 4 door. I've a normal telescopic aerial that currently runs along the front parcel shelf while I think about what to do.

Reception (obviously) is pants.

I was thinking of going for the rear bumper "L" bracket, or actually, a "¬" bracket. It'll be a bit easier for me as there're no rear doors to get in the way.

The only problem is that it's a long way from the stereo, so a longer cable would be required. Or how about the front bumper? Will it look a bit bonkers? I don't want to drill any holes in the metalwork as I 've just fitted 4 new wings.

I'm not that keen on the window aerial, although the heated screen type ones look interesting.

Any thoughts?
Andrew