Antenna options other than Metra stick-on
 

Hello all,

I started with my stock antenna, which is ok, not great looks awful. Replaced it with a 14" model and it was about the same so that was good.

After seeing TacoBill's thread about the Metra antenna I took the plunge and bought one.

I decided to delete the fender antenna completely so for now I put an allen-head screw in the stock location, installed the Metra in the front windshield, grounded well and powered and it just isn't that great. I moved it to the rear windshield and it was marginally better, but not acceptable to me.

Next I tried a traditional 31" mast hidden in the A pillar and that worked better than the Metra but still not great.

So now I am using the 14" shorty again and I want it gone!

So what I am looking for is a decent antenna. I am considering a new Fiesta roof mount? Will that look stupid? I've googled roof mount antenna Mustang with nothing fruitful. I think the roof mount will get better reception and also look nicer.

I've also considered the 2010+ rear antenna (which is amplified I believe) but I've heard stories about bad reception with those, but does look better on the rear IMO.

So my question after rambling is.....anybody here use an antenna OTHER than a hidden one like the Metra windshield mount? How's it working for you? Thanks for any and all help!

Yeah, I've tried both Metra powered and un-powered antennae and wasn't very pleased. I'm going to get the Tune Trapper 1E (end unit) next. It's paintable with non-metallic paint so I'm going to spray paint it dark charcoal and mount it on the glass butting up against the A pillar or horizontally at the upper windshield. According to Tune Trapper, avoid tie wrapping the cable with other electrical wires and try to keep it away from magnetic fields (speakers). I'll probably install it in a couple of weeks and follow up on results. Here's a link:

http://www.tunetrapper.com/Hidden_Car_Antennas.html

If you decide to go with it and install please keep us up updated.

personally, Ive always had a soft spot in my heart-or head- for dual rear antennas like were so common in the 60s...even though often one was a dummy, they looked cool to me :)

I've always wondered if it was possible to convert my rear spoiler into an antenna... or at least mount an antenna under it?

Well I just ordered one of the tune trapper antennas, so when I put in my new nav unit I can do it all at the same time. I will take plenty of pics and let you guys know my thoughts.

Keep me posted guys I really would appreciate the feedback. In the meantime I am going to try an amplified vw shark fin (the small one) and set it up with a magnet to the roof first.

I tried the fm shark fin and it blows! So if you see these on eBay avoid! And yes I did buy the fm model not the satellite one.

I first intalled a Metra amplified antenna back in 2005 and it still works great but I think they must have changed the design somehow because I installed another one in 2009 and it is terrible. The one from 2005 had a red LED that glowed when the antenna was being powered, the one from 2009 did not have the LED.

Here is a link to the writup I did in 2005.

http://www.cherod.com/mustang/HowTo/...a%20Delete.htm

Well guys bringing in some bad news, the Tune Trapper did not work for me with my new nav unit. I tried it under the dash, in the A piller on the passenger side with no luck! Even out side the car it barely pulled in a signal. So I am going to try it in the boat?? Anyone have any other ideas? Now I have no factory antenna either. But thats a different story.

Make that 2!!! I tried it as well, what a dud! I called the company and they gave me a bunch of locations to try but none were even remotely comparable to a shorty antenna.

mco05, I am going to try this next:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2207938...=sbar&_lwgsi=y

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a...amantenne1.jpg

It's a stick-on like the Metra, but Hirschmann quality. I'll keep you updated!

hof_95, where are you going to mount it? Not sure if it will work on the windshield above the mirror? Keep us updated.

Well after much debate I went with the Metra powered and put it above the mirror. Well It works ok and much better than the Tune Trapper. So for now that is what is working for me. If anyone finds that PERFECT antenna let us know!!

Well.....I would prefer the back windshield, that is where the Metra was located. However; after stripping my interior to deaden and having it all back in with NO antenna ext cable back there.......I may try the front windshield and move my radar detector to the bottom of the windshield. I'll let you know!

Hmmm, why do you need a radar detector?

:dunno:

Just an update for everyone.... I installed the Hirschman in the front window and it is fantastic! When I got it in the mail I was shocked by the small size of it so I went ahead and used the windshield.

So far reception has been BETTER than stock even with the long mast. The station I was "fishing" for comes in much clearer. I am very satisfied and I highly recommend if you're looking to delete the antenna.

Hof 95, I just ordered on of the Hirschman antenna yesterday. I had tried the Metra in place of the Tune Trapper and had better luck but still not great. So I hope it works for me as well.

I hope so too. I actually tried the same two antennas just in reverse order!

I really recommend the front windshield. This antenna is so small it is completely hidden up above the rear view mirror.

Do you have a picture of where you mounted it? I was thinking above the mirror but was not sure if the Mustang logo would interfere with the reception?