Antenna for Sony AM/FM/SW car stereo

[stiletto]

Godar

Sorry for not being very specific.

I've got the 3 foot firestik am/fm antenna that I've mounted both with and without a spring. I don't find that the FM reception is very good for whatever reason. Also, I can pull in shortwave frequencies with the Godar antenna that I can't get with the firestik antenna.

Thanks for all of your help. Relative to the Firestik, How is the Godar's reception on AM and FM? I like to listen to AM and I'm hoping to improve my HD reception on FM. Have you taken any photos of your setup? Regardless of what I choose, I'm going to need to use a trunk mount. My car had one of those duck-like antennas from the rear of the roof.
http://www.autotropolis.com/wiki/images/d/dd/2009_Hyundai_Accent_GLS_Large.jpg

 

[UPMan]

So far no one is doing it, but I'd love to see someone use:

My Patent for a Shortwave Antenna

 

[gwhayduke]

Thanks for all of your help. Relative to the Firestik, How is the Godar's reception on AM and FM? I like to listen to AM and I'm hoping to improve my HD reception on FM. Have you taken any photos of your setup? Regardless of what I choose, I'm going to need to use a trunk mount. My car had one of those duck-like antennas from the rear of the roof.
http://www.autotropolis.com/wiki/images/d/dd/2009_Hyundai_Accent_GLS_Large.jpg

The Godar FM reception is really pretty good. I don't notice any real difference over the firestik for AM reception. I've got a Nissan xterra with a bumper made of tubular steel, so I've tried mounting to both the from the bumper, and the roof cargo rack.

I could probably just send you the Godar antenna and the mounting hardware if you want to try it out. As it is, it's just sitting in my garage as a persistent visual testament to failure.

 

[stiletto]

Antenna

Generous offer...I'd hate the responsibility though with something so expensive. If it doesn't work for you, it probably won't for me. As to the way you mounted them. I know from my CB days that roof cargo racks are iffy for mounting...It depends on how the rack is attached to the rest of the vehicle...On whether the ground is good or not. The bumper should be adequately attached to the rest of the vehicle...It should have been well grounded. I'm still wondering if I can modify my Wilson 1000 or Wilson 5000 antennas. I have both in storage. Are there any techies out there

The Godar FM reception is really pretty good. I don't notice any real difference over the firestik for AM reception. I've got a Nissan xterra with a bumper made of tubular steel, so I've tried mounting to both the from the bumper, and the roof cargo rack.

I could probably just send you the Godar antenna and the mounting hardware if you want to try it out. As it is, it's just sitting in my garage as a persistent visual testament to failure.

 

[stiletto]

Reply from Firestik

I received a reply from Firestik within hours of me contacting them. Here it is:

We dropped the AMFM antennas from the line some time ago. We initally intro'd the antennas for the trucking market ... for those who wanted an AMFM that matched their CB antenna. But too many non-trucker people were going into truck stops and buying the antennas that were made for common trucking mounts and then [after purchasing] contacting us for installation issues ... mostly trying to mount a trucking industry standard to a non-trucking industry standard automobile. There are no adapters or commercial mounts available for automobiles that accept the 3/8-24 threaded antennas. The antennas were not designed for auto's or as a replacement for factory installed AMFM antennas. Having grown tired of answering those questions and finding that more people were trying to use the antenna in a manner it was not designed for than what it was designed for ... a decision was made to shelve it.

 

[stiletto]

Image

I can't find/pull up an image of this. I think I understand what it should look like.
Can you post an image or sketch?

So far no one is doing it, but I'd love to see someone use:

My Patent for a Shortwave Antenna

 

[Sweetbritches]

Antenna for mobile SW listening

I use and old low band motorola antenna i think my brother says it is cut for 39.5MHZ anyway the whip is 71 inches and the spring is 4 or 5 inches. Before this I used a old car radio telescoping antenna and i found the longer the better so i always had it maxed out even for the AM broadcast band. The main problem I have is my own vehicle noise or the country hi tension lines but over all it works much better then the 32 inch BC whip. A grounded antenna might cut down on noise but for the SW freqs I dont have one. I use a collins kwm2 with all crystals to cover the bands up to 30MHz. donna

 

[stiletto]

An Interesting Mobile Antenna

I just found this
Accessories Unlimited 300DX1600 Model DX1600 AM-FM Antenna, Two antenna systems in one, Advanced ferro-magnetic design, Linear wound composite fiberglass construction, Stands 44 inches tall from mount, Standard 3/8 x 24 mount (300-DX1600 300 DX-1600
http://salestores.com/stores/images/images_747/300DX1600.jpg

 

[kurt777]

i just got my shortwave car stereo hooked up on a regular car antenna and i'm very happy with it . thanks K9RZZ that stereo works fine.

 

[stiletto]

i just got my shortwave car stereo hooked up on a regular car antenna and i'm very happy with it . thanks K9RZZ that stereo works fine.

What type of "regular" antenna does your car have? Mine is terrible. It's one of those pathetic "duck-like" things sticking out of the back of the roof of the car (2009 Hyundai Accent).

 

[kurt777]

Volkswagen Parts / VW Parts & Accessories from Mid America Motorworks, 800-500-1500 type in'' antennas ''in the search part number 377-153 that is the one i have . please note that the above website is for classic air cooled vw's . love listening to the shortwave in my vw bus.

 

[stiletto]

A VW Bus...A listening post on wheels. Do you transmit from it? It would make an excellent ground plane. You should post photos when you get the chance. Thanks for the link!

 

[kurt777]

it's just a shortwave car stereo for listening , so i can't transmit as it doesn't come with '' transmitting '' as an option . my grandaughter lost the cable that connects my camera to the computer so posting a pic will be delayed until i can find the cable. as for the link not a problem it's my hobbie and becoming a way of life ha ha picking up my 4th vw today

 

[gwhayduke]

I just found this
Accessories Unlimited 300DX1600 Model DX1600 AM-FM Antenna, Two antenna systems in one, Advanced ferro-magnetic design, Linear wound composite fiberglass construction, Stands 44 inches tall from mount, Standard 3/8 x 24 mount (300-DX1600 300 DX-1600
http://salestores.com/stores/images/images_747/300DX1600.jpg

Bought one. Great AM reception and equal FM reception to the firestik that I've got on there now. MW (SW) reception is much worse than the firestik.

 

[stiletto]

I really need to get something soon. I think I'm going to go with the trunk mount and the 4 foot firestik. If I don't like it, at least I can use the mount for something else This may sound idiotic, but has anyone ever tried screwing a long, threaded copper rod into an AM/FM antenna mount? It could be sprayed with clear Krylon to prevent oxidation. I'm not sure, what is the ideal length for an AM antenna whip? I'm still looking for a telescopic AM antenna that I can screw into my existing car antenna mount. I find telescopic antennas, but they aren't replacement whips that will just screw into an existing mount. They require changing the mount (drilling). If I were to do that, I might consider one of those retractable power antennas.

 

[gwhayduke]

Hmmmm, too bad it's really expensive and requires a 15V supply voltage.

Active Antenna VPA-30 by NAVAL Electronics - eBay (item 250448791498 end time Jun-27-09 14:40:01 PDT)

 

[dblock27]

question regarding 13.8mhz

hey guys i work for a cable company and i have something leaking into our plant at 13.8mhz could it be a ham or what do u guys think it is? we obviously need to tighten up our system regardless but just wondering what transmits at that freq? thanks guys dan