Antenna Redux

["Al Powell" <apowell@agcom.tamu.edu>]

I have DONE it!  I have finally installed a replacement antenna and 
solved the SUCKY-TO-THE-MAX  (tm) performance of the standard Audi 
in/on windshield diversity antennas in my '90 200.

For all you putting up with nonexistant  AM reception, here's the 
work-through........

Antenna: Hirschmann #5061.  Also required, minimum 14' antenna cable 
extension to reach radio.  This antenna fits ALL 5K/100/200 and is 
also a replacement for the factory power antenna.

Also required: 3/4" hole saw.  (YIKES!!  This is why I held onto that 
antenna for 15 months before finally installing it...)

Placement: LR fender.  Placement is same as stock power antenna in 
84-88 5000 series, but requires CAREFUL hole measurement!  The 
antenna is actually installed through a hole in the LR fender brace, 
and must be in the correct position.  (If this is too daunting, you 
can move it back about 6 inches and install where there are no 
obstacles.

WARNING: Danger, Will Robinson.....

WATCH for the trunk hinges' swing area, and make sure ALL wires and 
the antenna will clear the entire hinge swing area BEFORE you cut!!  
Wires and cable will have to be cable-tied up against the package 
tray or routed behind the trim.

To locate the hole's center:

Measure and mark 15/16" to 1" to the left of the fender lip.  Use as 
your measuring point the fender lip where it bends downward to 
provide relief for the trunk lid...you're measuring outwards on the 
fender in the fairly flat area.

Now with a ruler on the center of that mark and parallel to the trunk 
lid's edge, measure back 3 and 1/8 inches from the outer edge of the 
trim at the base of the C-pillar.

If in doubt, check this measurement against the placement of any 
power antenna on a mid-80's 5K you find in a parking lot.....

Once I had this location marked with a Flair pen, I peeled back the 
interior trim in the trunk and took the antenna, locating it in its 
to-be-installed position (up through the hole in the fender brace) 
and then tapping it against the underside of the fender.  I felt the 
tapping with my left hand, and then put a finger right on top of the 
tapping - and had my lovely daughter mark the end of the finger.  
That mark was right over the measured mark, so I knew I was OK.  Then 
I just had to get brave enough to make holes.  Ugh.

Before drilling, look at the antenna - the base will be located 
slightly forward of the tip, angling it at a visually pleasant 
setting.  Make sure everything will clear, and give specific 
attention that the connection for the antenna cable is far enough 
from the edge of the fender brace that it will clear.

Then drill.  (I know it's tough, but leave the beer till AFTER this 
step.  Perhaps immediately after.)   A 3/4" hole saw is the MINIMUM 
size required.  The install instructions say 20 mm, but 3/4" is 19mm 
and will work.  I punched the mark lightly to prevent "drill bit 
skippage", then drilled a small pilot hole to assure that the center 
drill for the hole saw could NOT slip.  THEN I made the hole.

Once the hole is in place, TREAT the edges of the hole with silicone 
sealer or some other rest rreventive.  Don't goob it all over the 
underside, though, or your antenna will not ground.  Just treat the 
bare edges.

Install the antenna using the retaining nut at the top and it will 
stay in place; then bend the lower bracket provided as needed, and 
install on the base of the antenna.  (Note that how far out you move 
the antenna motor from the fender brace determines the left/right 
slant of the extended antenna.)

I found that the interior trim already had a large enough relief to 
allow clearance for the antenna motor.  (Don't think they KNEW 
antennas would still be going in there, do-ya??  I think they just 
used the same interior trim molds as on the mid-80's...)

Remaining installation requires mounting the relay (I did this on the 
underside of the rear package tray next to the speaker, so it will be 
accessible but out of the way of cargo),  and running power (+) and 
relay power lines from the radio, and routing the antenna cable to 
the radio.  Don't forget to fuse the power line!

RESULTS, as witnessed in my driveway since I haven't been able to 
cruise around yet....

FM signals are perceptibly stronger.  I'm happy with this.

AM signals are at least 200% stronger, perhaps more!  Stations in 
Houston and Austin 90 miles away (which never existed according to 
this car...) were acceptably audible, and that's at 10:00 pm when 
they're on low power.  I'm DELIGHTED with this.

And, of course, YMMV.  Cheers.


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Al Powell, Ph.D.                 Voice:  409/845-2807
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.          Fax:    409/862-1202
College Station, TX 77843      
Http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/satellit/alpage.htm
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