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245 stupid antenna placement[ALL/1998] posted by Art Smith on
Wednesday, 19 November 1997, at 11:15 a.m.
I have a '92 245. Volvo has placed the antenna in a bunch of different places: off the windshield pillars, on the front fender, etc. For the '92 (and maybe '93), they placed the antenna in possibly the worst location: the left rear corner, going straight up. The problem is that our garage door (the solid type that pivots as a unit; not the "rolling" type) manages to clip the antenna, bending it back. I've gotten the wife to park far enough in so this doesn't happen, but we've managed to replace the antenna at least 3 or 4 times.
Does anyone have a source for a replacement for the mast? When the antenna finally breaks, and thanks to the _brilliant_ design of the stupid thing, it means replacing the entire antenna unit at ~$75-80 a pop. I'd love to hear of a replacement mast that's flexible, or even retrofitting with an electric antenna.
Re: 245 stupid antenna placement[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Erickson on
Wednesday, 19 November 1997, at 12:52 p.m.
On my 83 244 some previous owner placed a short flexible mast antenna on the left rear fender. It is only about 8 inches long and seems to work fine.
It even has a pivot type mount. I have no idea who makes it or where
it was purchased but I have seen them around in various Auto Parts stores.
I don't know if it would fit on a 245 or not but it's something you might
want to look at.
Mark Erickson
83 240 170,300
Re: 245 stupid antenna placement[ALL/1998] posted by Topi on
Wednesday, 19 November 1997, at 2:22 p.m.
I agree. In Sweden they don't have garages...Get a new or used 760 wagon power antenna(there should be wiring for this, inside the panel), or a short rubber one with built-in amblifier. Any good parts store sells them. If you need to replace a windshield, buy one with built in antenna. I've seen ads for these.
Re: 245 stupid antenna placement[ALL/1998] posted by Dave Stevens on
Wednesday, 19 November 1997, at 4:48 p.m.
Forget an in-glass windshield antenna. Volvo used them on the later 140's and the reception sucked big time, especially out in the country. Most of us with these cars put in an aftermarket fender antenna at the first opportunity.
Antenna placement can make all the difference. Imagine the metal body of your car stuffed in a big elastic envelope (Volvo part# 1234567-8/condom), it acts as the effective reference base for the antenna. The signal is only effectively picked up by that portion of the antenna rod that extends outside the envelope and that portion should be matched to the wavelength of the signal (or a fraction thereof). This is why an antenna is best located either on the roof or at the far corners of the fenders and ideally is adjustable for length. The trick is to find a spot that is not prone to striking objects (like garage doors and parkade gates) as well as not being an easy target for vandals while at the same time giving good reception. Volvo has used a number of antenna placements over the years, some have been influenced more by styling than practicality.
Note that Volvo (and ipd) supply replacement masts for power antennae (different for sedans and wagons), you don't have to buy the whole antenna. Then of course there's always the inverted coat hanger trick (sorry, don't have the Volvo part# for this).
Re: 245 stupid antenna placement[ALL/1998] posted by Art Smith on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 3:19 p.m.
Thanks for everyone's comments. To respond to a couple items:
1. IPD says they don't carry replacement masts only for the '92 245. So unless someone else comes up with an alternate, I'm left with only the dealer (who, at last purchase, doesn't sell the mast by itself). Maybe a junkyard might be a suitable place to look...
2. I had already tried trimming the antenna a few inches, and that did help (at least it minimizes being clipped by the garage door). But as Dave alludes to, both antenna placement *and* length affect reception. You have to walk a fine line between cutting too much versus not enough; if you cut too much, you're stuck with either bad reception or buying a new antenna assembly. Sigh....
Re: 245 stupid antenna placement[ALL/1998] posted by Stoney on
Wednesday, 19 November 1997, at 3:34 p.m.
Art,
I have seen several alternatives done for this problem.
1) A power antenna was used and "frenched" into the rear pillar of the left side. This involved body work and repainting, the result was a a slight outward bulge with the antenna head recessed into the pillar. Neat lookin but cost $ for time and body work-it did not result in any weakening of the pillar.
2)A 12" long "Rubber Duck" style antenna was substituted in place of the OEM Rod style antenna. It worked ok, but tended to not have the reception range of the original.
3) A FUBA Rubber Duck style with an amp on the antenna circuit, better coverage than the std. rubber duck style and this model allowed for AM/FM/Cellular use.
If you are looking low tech try #2, if you have a cell phone try #3, if you wanna be the only one on your block with one, stop by a body shop and discuss #1.
Re: 245 stupid antenna placement[ALL/1998] posted by Henry T. Mui on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 9:15 p.m.
Stoney,
on my 84' 240 sedan how do I tell if the person who sold me the volvo had the original antenna? The one I got says "Made in Japan" That makes me wonder that
this is not the real thing. also the antenna came with a relay! it's not shown on my volvo wiring catalog!
Re: 245 stupid antenna placement[ALL/1998] posted by Stoney on
Friday, 21 November 1997, at 9:08 a.m.
Henry-Most of the Power Antennas pre 87 used a relay separate from the motor and Volvo used a 3 wire system to activate it. Black was ground, Red was 12v+ and green was the trigger. New ones have the relay in the motor housing, i think, bt still use the 3 wire system.
Re: 245 stupid antenna placement[ALL/1998] posted by abe crombie on
Wednesday, 19 November 1997, at 6:49 p.m.
There is a simple solution. Buy a new mast, remove the rubber end plug, cut it off so that it is short enough to not hit garage door and re-install rubber end plug. The FM reception wil not suffer much at all, in the city it might even be better.