Radio antenna in a 34 cabriolet.

[Graham Freeman]

I know the spare wheel was used as an antenna and there was the option of under the running board in open cars, but has anyone used a soft multi strand copper wire fixed to the top of the wooden top bow before being wrapped in fabric?
If so how effective was it?
Graham Freeman

[Bursonaw]

Interesting thought, might just work! When the top gets installed there is a ton of staples that go into the bows to hold the top. Just make sure that the staples are clear of the antenna. I would be concerned about the shielded antenna wire connected to your radio might be an issue over time for when putting the top up and down. If you decide to go this route I would be interested in your results.

I used a “tune trapper” antenna mounted under my running board. It works much better than expected but does have some limitations due to its location.

http://www.vintageautoradio.com/inde...mart&Itemid=67


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[Automotive Stud]

I've heard of the chicken wire in a top insert being used, so I guess it's not that different of an idea. Not sure how it would perform with the top down, but then it's harder to hear the radio anyway.

[Graham Freeman]

I stripped the shielding off the portion that is on the top of the bow (staples should not be a problem as staples are only into wood and will not earth out).
I retained shielding around where the wire comes onto the bow to prevent this.
I drilled a small hole through the end of the bow to feed the wire onto the bow and also so it could be fixed hidden behind the top iron.
I will feed the wire along inside sill and up behind cowl panel to radio.
Hope it all works out.
Being in the lower part of New Zealand the top might not go up and down too often.

[Bursonaw]

Originally Posted by Graham Freeman

I stripped the shielding off the portion that is on the top of the bow (staples should not be a problem as staples are only into wood and will not earth out).
I retained shielding around where the wire comes onto the bow to prevent this.
I drilled a small hole through the end of the bow to feed the wire onto the bow and also so it could be fixed hidden behind the top iron.
I will feed the wire along inside sill and up behind cowl panel to radio.
Hope it all works out.
Being in the lower part of New Zealand the top might not go up and down too often.

Just a thought,

You might want to put a connection for the antenna wire on your top bow. That way if the shielded wire breaks from putting the top up and down, you can replace it. Otherwise you have to remove the top to replace the antenna.

Good luck!


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[philipswanson]

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Got my original radio updated to modern electronics. I run a jump drive with a thousand plus songs. No static, no fading in and out, no antenna needed, no advertising. Great setup, great sound. AM is crap anyway.

[Pete]

How about doing like airplanes and submarines do and just trail a long wire behind when they want to use the radio. This is for real.