tda1

My windshield antenna isn't quite cutting it and I'm looking to make a change. I have an 87 which uses a thin filament in the windshield for the antenna. That might have been ok for the 80s but not so much now. I've seen several cars with a small black antenna near or just behind the sunroof. Is that factory or aftermarket? Has anyone installed an antenna? If so any tips/tricks?
Thanks guys.

The Forgotten On

That small antenna is a factory part that came on S4's all the way through GTS's. I think you can source it from Roger or Mark too.

You will have to drill a hole in your roof though and run a antenna wire up there though.

There is the small BMW shark fin antenna too.

Wisconsin Joe

The windshield antenna actually works pretty good, if the antenna amp is hooked up.

There's an amplifier that boosts the antenna signal. It hides up under the dash, behind the center console (not sure exactly where). There's a thin black wire that powers it that runs alongside the antenna coax.
I hooked it to the "power antenna" output wire from my head unit.

I can pull in some pretty distant stations very well. Better than my Blazer or work truck anyway.

Chalkboss

You are absolutely right regarding the power to antennae. When I changed my head unit I did not know there was a power hook up. Terrible reception. Finally read a post from Wally about this and went back in and hooked it up. Reception is now very,very good. Per Wally, if you have no am reception power is not hooked up.

Ninjaxz750

Wow. I have the same reception problem but was not on my hot list for things to do. I was planning on replacing the aftermarket radio down the road. I have to rethink this now, knowing that there's an antenna amp. I'll be searching tor Wally's post on this.

Thanks guys.

77tony

Mr Gasket 6100 on Amazon for under $ 30. T

MjRocket

Nice Tony!!

Thx

77tony

Works fine MJ. Conceal unit under lip of headliner just above mirror. Route wire under front lip of headliner, down the pass side "A" pillar and snake through right side of dash before reinstalling "A" pillar. It's powered so you will need to tap into (key on) the fuse panel or source off of radio. Run antenna wire to back of head unit. T

The Forgotten On

Most aftermarket radios have a remote turn on wire or a power antenna wire. I'm sure you could just hook that up to the amp under the dash.