Hidden UHF antenna
Posted: 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.
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.