Running aerial around windscreen?

[jvanzyl]

Hi All,
Following the demise of my standard aerial, I managed to get an auto leads windscreen one. I've seen a PIC of someone mounting it behind the rear view mirror- can anyone say how easy it is to run the new aerial lead around the windscreen and down to behind the head unit? I'm a bit jittery of pulling away at any kind of trim and don't want to break anything... s:oops: :oops: s:oops:  

Ps this is another item that will make the wife happier about the car because she can then listen to the radio.... There is something greater at stake here!

[cyclehead]

I routed power wires for a radar detector and dash camera both through the windscreen pillar - without removing the ragtop latch posts.  (Those screws that always strip out).   Here's my post on the 'chat.  http://www.spyderchat.com/forums/showthread.php?55905-Radar-detector-wire-routing&p=885072&viewfull=1#post885072

[Topdownman]

This is a not something to take lightly as the side trims are held down by the 2 top bolts and 2 (I think) plastic pop in connectors further down. I tried to remove mine and the pop in connectors came out but when I couldnt remove the top bolts I couldnt get the pop in connectors back in.

While you may be able to do it the way cyclehead did, there is a risk that if you pull too much you might do what I did. This is a real problem if you use wind deflectors as they wont stay in place if the pop in connectors are not in place. It took a professional 3 hours to remove and retap all 4 of my bolts.

Interesting that someone is suggesting using a mini blow torch as the bolts are surrounded by plastic, not sure how that would work?

Have you thought about putting the aerial at the bottom rather than the top of the windscreen?

Let us know how you get on and if the reception is any good from that type of aerial as its got to be a better look than the standard one.

[jvanzyl]

Eeesh! I had no idea of the risk I was running!

Well, I've run the cable as cycle head directed. The A pillar trim looks like it popped back on OK..

The aerial is more than likely gonna fall off... The sticky stuff didn't look very promising. So I'll have to find some kind of glue for that.
QUESTION- the small little wire which is the earth... Where is a good place to connect it? Does the map light earth work? And can anyone tell me which one is the earth on the map light? I'm hoping it's that one with the metal screw hole...

Anyway- the cable is run down behind the glove box, now all I need to do is figure out how to plug it into the head unit!

[jvanzyl]

Quick question, Is the earth the screw in the bottom left?

[insx]

I just filed off a bit of paint from the metalwork and used an existing screw hole. I can't remember what the screw was for. The antenna is pretty good most of the time for BBC Essex but other stations can be a bit iffy.