Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications General Mods antenna mod

Just FYI,

If you listen to radio (long pull stations...) nothing pulls in better than a 31 inch stainless/aluminum mast. Those fuba may be amplified, but their performance is inferior to the stock antenna. People who have installed the focus antenna have seen a decrease in reception quality also. If you listen to cds, please disreguard this rant.

BTW, I can tell you that the 31 inch stock size is optimum. I installed a 29.5 inch black mast and my reception went down a little.

I installed my new antenna above the front windshield and no whining at all. Works great and looks great!

thepakrat - what did you do about the hole where the stock antenna was?

mangler: All right, now does the antenna have to be vertical?? Or does it have to be "away" from the car?? What if you take the thing and hang it horizontal under the parcel shelf in the trunk?? Or if you place it inside the b-pillar between the doors, under the plastic trim?

Not sure. I would think that vertical fender mount would give the best gain (optimum reflection off the car). I`m pretty sure that an antenna inside the B pillar (metal)will give you no gain (nice try...)

If you want to get rid of the outside antenna and maintain radio usage, you could try placing an FM antenna on the rear deck behind the seats, since glass will not interfere with radio waves. Not sure about the defroster lines though... I would not place it under, as you are trying to avoid any metal sheet or grill between antenna and the radio waves.

I actually thought of adding a parallel antenna on my rear deck to see if I could increase gain without any ghosting. I still might try this, it should be easy enough.

PAA - I have not done anything yet. I just disconnected the stock antenna so it stays down when the radio is on. I have a family friend who does body work I am going to have him "shave" the hole that is left and make it look as it was never there, as with the three holes in the front bumper for the license plate holder.

When I was shopping for the 'tour I test-drove a Subaru Legacy GT (sedan) and it had the antenna in the window... NOT on the fender, NOT on the roof, I thought that was so neat! I would think the aftermarket would sell that??

Yes they do. Now all you have to do is find a way to fit that Windstar rear quarter window in your car

Here is some pics of the BAT one.
BAT Antenna