I am getting ready to buy a new radio for my Speedster. I am interested in having FM, and AM reception and wonder if anyone has an idea about what sort of antenna I can use that doesn't require a hole for an external antenna.
Any assistance will be appreciated!
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You might want to look at Retrosound.... they have a hidden antenna powered antenna unit you might like ... I know there are others that are out there as well.
Jack, All you need to do is run a antenna horizontal along the 2 x 2 frame under the dash. Zip tie it there making sure you slide a piece of rubber hose over it where it is zip tied to the 2 x 2 steel....this keeps the antenna from contacting the steel frame or any electrical contact points.
If you want to do a Drclock no cost radio antenna you can utilize the aluminum windshield frame as, your antenna....Run a wire from the "antenna " plug on the radio to the nut that secures the center mirror rod....it's a tight squeeze to get you hand to the 7/16 nut but, it's do-able.
Alan---I was told that an inside antenna would not work inside a Speeedster. I'll try both your ideas--thanks. (As always and often!)
Iam-ray--thanks--I'll look into Retrosound.
Ray, does it work well?? My current one is so/so
Jack: I have a "normal" car radio antenna mounted in the trunk, running down the passenger side with the tip toward the nose. It works OK, but kind-of like Marty's....so-so. It's fine around town, but for longer trips I use the CD player or my iPhone so if you're looking at new radios, having one that connects to your phone or an iPod via Bluetooth would be ideal.
Vintage uses the method Alan mentions - get an antenna cable that matches your radio antenna jack, clip off the end that attaches to the bottom of the antenna and strip it back. It's a coaxial cable, meaning that the "hot" side is in the center and insulated from a ground side which is a braided sleeve around it, covered by a vinyl coating. Dress off the outer braid and don't use it, then attach a 1/4" spade or ring lug to the center conductor and attach that under the nut under the dash for the center strut of the windshield. That's it. That will use your windshield top frame as an antenna and it's actually the right length (radio-wise) for the FM band.
It might work better to leave the original nut in place and attach this wire with a second nut.
I wish I had read all this before I installed an external antenna.
Marty, I should have mentioned that I do have a hidden antenna, not sure which model I have and while I have it I have to confess that I like my bluetooth iphone hookup where I play my favourite playlists most of the time. 
Sorry Marty.
I am sure that the IM maker would tell you which model they use.
Jack Crosby posted:Alan---I was told that an inside antenna would not work inside a Speeedster. I'll try both your ideas--thanks. (As always and often!)
Iam-ray--thanks--I'll look into Retrosound.
If you had a metal body it wouldn't work, but radio signals will pass through fiberglass. However, being mounted down inside the structure of the car, it's more likely to get signal reflections off the metal components that may hamper reception somewhat.
My Speedster has an antenna horizontal across the metal support that runs under the dash. It may as well not even be there because it doesn't work for shyt. The powered antennas they sell online all get pretty bad reviews. I like Alan's method of attaching the antenna wire to the windshield support rod. Mike makes a great point about using a second nut to secure it. No point in loosening up what doesn't need to be loosened up, especially anything attached to the windshield.
The antenna horizontally mounted antenna or windshield frame for same, does work as the floor pan acts a "ground plane". Ham radio guys will understand this :~)
