Hidden UHF antenna

jim · Post by **jim** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:42 pm

Here is one that actually works!

Get yourself an Antenex TRA4503 and unscrew the internal PCB from the base. Next, remove the base (unsolder it) from the PCB.

Disassemble your passenger side mirror as if you are going to install mirror strobes. Remove the glass from the motor set. Route your coax from the radio through the door boot and into the mirror housing.

Solder the coax shield to where the base's ground attached to the PCB. Solder the signal lead on where the center pin was.

now....

Get a piece of solid #14 or #12 wire and solder it to the point on the PCB where the ground braid attaches. Once soldered on, this will run left-to-right (perpendicular) to the PCB antenna when it's standing upright.

Seal the entire assembly in clear silicone. Once dried a day later, use more silicone to attach this to the inside of the mirror housing. Reassemble the mirror and everything else.

I had a VSWR reading that was alomst as good as any 1/4 wave antenna and performance is awesome!

No- I don't sit up at night thinking of these things and no....I don't smoke crack.

You could do this with the 800 no-groundplane Phantom, too.

jim · Post by **jim** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 4:43 pm

I forgot to mention- the #14 wire is the ground plane. Make it as long as the inside mirror dimensions allow. It will sit horizontal when installed.

davkenrem · Post by **davkenrem** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 5:00 pm

Post pics.

Post by Pj » Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:15 pm

That sign is just wrong!

Where did you get that?

FFParamedic571 · Post by **FFParamedic571** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:36 pm

Great Idea Jim,

But if I spent that much time on one antenna. My shop owner would skin me alive...JK....

Dale Earnhardt · Post by **Dale Earnhardt** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 6:43 pm

oh yeah that thing, I ahve seem many of those, they suppose to change to other things too everytime you refresh.

werdnuts · Post by **werdnuts** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 8:14 pm

post some pics!!!! good work!

jim · Post by **jim** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 5:32 am

If I get the car back in here soon, I'll pop the glass out and shoot some pics. I was a dumbass and didn't take any while doing this.

It really wasn't that hard or time consuming. If somebody really wants covert items, they will have to be willing to pay for them, otherwise they get a 1/4 wave on the roof! You tell them up front it's hourly for custom installs and if it take 3.2 hours of shop time, you bill them. The shop owner will smile all the way to the bank.

davkenrem · Post by **davkenrem** » Tue Sep 09, 2003 9:09 am

Pj wrote:That sign is just wrong!

Where did you get that?

http://www.danasoft.com