The external antenna on my Z is broken, so when I read on this forum that there are actually 2 antennas installed (1 internal on the rear screen and 1 external), I decided to investigate. I know it sounds incredibly strange (why fit two?) but it's actually true, certainly for my Z.

 

When you take the stereo out, there is a black cylinder like object, from which there dangle 2 cables with plugs on the end. 1 is the typical plug that we all recognise; this goes to the external antenna. The second is a very thin version and is connected to the internal antenna. All you need to do is pull out the back of the cylinder (secured by a clip), turn around the 2 prongs and push the back back in. You will have to pull the clip out slightly to push the back in but it's no big issue and is still a snug fit.

 

Switch on the radio and voila! Works perfectly. No need to replace the external antenna. It's actually a much better solution than replacing the external antenna as I'm not sure a long thin old fashioned aerial looks very good sticking out of a low slung Z.

 

Apologies for not taking any photos; forgot to do this in the rush to make the changes between finishing work and the sun going down!

 

Will certainly take some the next time I have the radio out as I still need to work out why no sound from the rear speakers...

 

Hope the antenna stuff is useful anyway.

how cool!!! we learn something new everyday, pics please

That's my stereo coming out today for a look see. I've just fitted a switch to my aerial as it was coming up even when listening to CD's/MP3's. as I agree I think it spoils the lines

Thats good, I'll be removing the external one then and filling it in

That's my stereo coming out today for a look see. I've just fitted a switch to my aerial as it was coming up even when listening to CD's/MP3's. as I agree I think it spoils the lines

 

 

 

There should be an option on your stereo so the aerial only comes up when you have the radio on ;)

Good Thread.

 

Some pictures would complete this.

 

Im sure im not the only one waiting.......:confused:

In m experience, the Jap aerial on the window is generally for AM signals, I guess if it works it works though.

plaz...think you're on the button there mate...FM is usually single strand and am aerials are looped....i'm thinking of biting the bullet and going DAB in the car...head unit plus DAB aerial @ £250 fitted and you do need a DAB spec aerial it wont work half as good from the FM type

Really interested to see this now, might have to have a bit of a look this weekend if i get chance!

Heres a picture of a 'typical' adaptor plug for the OEM 300ZX radio

 

In the lower part of the picture is the two prong plug that goes into the OEM radio (you can only see one prong, as it's a side-on view) The other end of this wire shows a Female, which is for the normal type aeriel plug (thicker wire), and the Male end goes into a female that is attched to the thinner cable. You may just have the two wires going into the carpet and now other plugs visable.

 

HTH

Dave

And a picture of the back of the OEM radio....

 

This is a US spec radio, so may be different to anything you have on your own, but the aeriel socket is the same.

 

 

To the left of the socket (left of picture) you can see a cut-out in the hole surround, that is where the clip normally goes, and you can just see the two pin holes inside the socket

Edited September 17, 200916 yr by Daves_Zed

plaz...think you're on the button there mate...FM is usually single strand and am aerials are looped....i'm thinking of biting the bullet and going DAB in the car...head unit plus DAB aerial @ £250 fitted and you do need a DAB spec aerial it wont work half as good from the FM type

 

Interesting to hear that - the aerials on the portable dab radio's look bog standard...some have only internal ones.

 

They said my aerial I bought for freeview wouldn't work for digital, but just up in my loft it pulls in a great signal :)

 

Makes you wonder just how different it could be to justify the extra cost?

no idea boss on the differences....there is an AV forum on the web which may have the complete answer to the DAB aerial V normal FM aerial...to be honest i was thinking much the same thing myself just chuck it in and see if the reception is poor if it was then get a DAB aerial fitted...the inside car stuck on the windscreen type ones are pants i hear and they look it too :)

 

really want a DAB headunit with bluetooth conx for getting my music off the moby phone...if you see any out there put up a link someone please

just found this site they have all the answers and a useful guide on aerials and connectors required...big gif!

http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/DAB_car_aerials.html

Edited September 17, 200916 yr by Uno

Guys,

 

Pleased to see this has been useful.

 

I'm afraid the pics might be a while as I've only just put everything back together again so not planning on pulling everything out just yet! However, as soon as i do, I'll post the pics. Any questions, please let me know.

 

Internal radio performance is as good on FM as it is on AM & LW so no issues there.

 

Before you do anything though, not sure if an internal aerial and cables are fitted in all markets.

 

Mine's a Japanese import NA.

 

I actually think the aerial recess on the body is very neat and a great piece of detailing and design. Only spoilt by the aerial coming out!

I know certain stereos have it so when you select radio the airels come up. Mine use to have the ariel coming up, but it just looked really crap, so i removed the wire

I've just replaced my old aftermarket electric aerial in the v8 that sounded horrible when it went up and looked even worse and put in a stock zed aerial. It looks much better but would have preferred to do away with it entirely. Will have to try this mod out and see how good it is

Has anyone else managed to try this yet?

 

It would be good to know how many others got the positive results I did.

I've had a look in my car mate and tbh I couldn't figure out what you've done. Could you elaborate more on your description or even better, add in some diagrams (even if hand-drawn?)?

i did this with my old zed some time ago, i had to as i didnt want the ariel to fit through the wide arches

I've had a look in my car mate and tbh I couldn't figure out what you've done. Could you elaborate more on your description or even better, add in some diagrams (even if hand-drawn?)?

 

What he was saying is what I'll try to describe below.........

 

The two prong OEM plug (lower right of the photo below) .........

 

 

...normally goes into the socket on the rear of the OEM nissan radio (socket is on the left of this picture).....

 

 

...with the two cables coming out of the lower half of the plug and the single clip on the left of the socket.

What he is suggesting is to turn the plug 180 degrees so that the cables come out of the top and the clip is on the right. Thus swapping the two prongs over!

Perfect description!

I had my arial removed and filled as i didnt like the look and to save bit of weight. Been driving around with no FM radio haha.

Ok, so it's been over a year since the original post but I finally had a reason to get to the stereo again, and in the process took some photos of the aerial mod.

 

Just to summarise, some of the Zs have 2 radio antennas in the car; the obvious external one and an internal one.

 

The mod described here allows you to use the internal antenna, which is great if:

 

1. Your external is broken;

2. You have removed the external antenna;

3. You don't want the external antenna to come up.

 

The description is in the original email, and the photos are as follows:

 

1. This is the adaptor/plug showing the lead from the car plugged snugly in to the lead from the radio. Note that when using the external antenna, the clip on the plug from the car goes in to the grove from the radio lead.

[ATTACH]58227[/ATTACH]

 

2. Pull out the plug, and it will look like this. Basically, pin 1 currently goes in to hole 1, pin 2 in to hole 2.

[ATTACH]58228[/ATTACH]

 

3. Now rotate the plug 180 degrees so that pin 1 goes in to hole 2 and pin 2 in to hole 1 and push back in.

The fit will now not be so snug as there is no grove for the clip, but it still sits tight and so is unlikely to pop out.

[ATTACH]58229[/ATTACH]

 

That's it! All should now work and your radio should work (assuming the signal in your area is decent).

 

You can also disconnect the power antenna cable to prevent the antenna from coming up when the radio is switched on.

 

I hope this is useful.

Nice write up Shamaz, thanks for taking the time to share your knowelge, I think that`s a little mod I will do myself as the old electric ariel looks pants

 

CheerZ

I found this whilst installing my headunit, thought it was some kind of 12v supply for the original radio so taped it up and tucked it away. LOL