'91Q Cell phone antenna

[timatt]

My car came with a cell phone with the antenna mounted on the rear window. Obviously I don't use the phone, but I've got a crazy idea of using the existing wiring to get a satellite radio antenna signal to my console where I would mount my receiver. Would this work? Is there a hole with a wire penetrating the glass?

Tim

[qship96]

no hole in rear glass

[szh]

The phone antenna would not work for satellite signals, of course, but the internal wiring should be usable.

But, as mentioned, the coupling in the glass is capacitive ... may not work with the satellite radio antenna. I do not know this for sure though!

Z

[Q45tech]

Sat antennae have a high gain preamp and downconverter integrated in antenna assembly................which needs dc voltage to power ..............thus a hole is required.

[timatt]

OK, so if I eliminate the cell antennae , the question becomes whether the existing wiring harness for the cell phone is suitable to transmit the Satellite radio signal from the rear window to the console.

I can get a local glass shop to drill the hole in the rear glass so I can get the satellite antenna wire through to the interior. I'd like to splice the satellite wire to the cell phone wiring harness.

tim

[Jesda]

Since sat rad technology changes so quickly, I STRONGLY suggest not cutting any holes in your rear window. Snake the wire through the back seat and rear deck, then mount it on the trunk lid.

[chomer]

Do you have a picture of the car phone? I might be interested in taking it if you're getting rid of it. Gotta see how difficult it would be to wire it up and have to double check on the antenna to see how the signal gain is at 1900 MHz.

[timatt]

I can take a pic of it next week. It's in good condition, but remember it is 1991 analog technology, so I don't even know if you could make it work with modern cellular networks.

Tim

[MattB]

Since sat rad technology changes so quickly, I STRONGLY suggest not cutting any holes in your rear window. Snake the wire through the back seat and rear deck, then mount it on the trunk lid.

I just put my XM antenna on the rear parcel shelf and it works quite well.

[chomer]

Good point. I'm wondering if it's worth doing it. Hmm... is it purely the antenna, or is there also the rest of the phone, etc. etc?