slightly OT 47 pickup radio question

[Young Ed]

Alright here's the story. 39-47 trucks have no factory radio. I installed a cd player with a 6-12v convertor. Been able to listen to cds for 2 summers now but not the radio because I don't have an antenae. My question is where to put one that will work without being completely obvious that its there. Possible locations I've come up with so far without actually devising a way to put it in these places is behind the grill between the cab and box or under a running board somehow.

[Merle Coggins]

I remember I had a temporary stereo in one of my trucks once, and left the antenna laying up on the dash. It seemed to work fine. So I would guess you could hide it just about anywhere. You may not get great reception from weaker signals, but unless you're running way up north, or out west where stations are few and far between, it'll probably work out OK.

Does anyone make antenna's that would stick to the windshield like GM cars used to use? I know their's was between the glass, but if it was just stuck to the inside of the glass, wouldn't that work too?

Merle

[Jim Yergin]

You might want to check some hot rod magazines. I have seen ads for hidden antennas.

Jim Yergin

[Young Ed]

I had looked into those before and the ones I saw were powered. I don't have enough 12v capacity for that.

[Guest Dave Claussen]

For what it's worth, the windshield antennas were not the best at reception either. That's probably the main reason the car companies went back to the stick antennas. I had the windshield type on a new vehicle I purchased some years back and the reception was marginal at best. Just my 2 1/2 cents worth. Dave

[Young Ed]

I've been driving around dads 75 olds convert with the windshield antenna and factory am fm 8track. Seems just fine to me. I don't recall any issues with the 83 caprice wagon we had growing up either.

[Guest Dave Claussen]

It's gotta be the 8 track increasing the reception range. The 8 track tapes are like a lightning rod for radio waves. LOL

[Young Ed]

actually 1/2 the time we are in there we listen to 8 tracks so maybe that antenna isn't as good as I claimed.

[Young Ed]

This seems to have veered a little OT. The windshield antenna is pretty much out of the question as my windshield cranks open. I'm leaning towards mounting it between the cab and box.

[Reg Evans]

I like the type that mount on the side of the cowl and they are period correct I think. Why do you want to hide yours?

[Young Ed]

Just to keep it looking the way it is currently. You are correct that one on the side of the cowl with 2 mounts would be the correct style for the period. I'd rather not start drilling holes in the side of my cab unless I don't come up with anything better.

[greg g]

Get one of those stubby rubber replacement antennas, and mount it under the dash. You can just find a plase and lay it up in there or zip tie it. Should be fine for FM, AM will probably suffer.