Quick radio ariel mod.

I have been mullng over something of a dilemma. I like listening to the radio sometimes, particularly on long journeys, but many of my cars don't have an ariel, and I'm rather against hacking unneccessary holes in otherwise sound bodywork. Besides, its extra clutter that the lines don't need. So, today I tried a little experement. I have been stripping a granada scorpio, and came across an interesting little module inside the tailgate. Seems its an FM ariel amplifier that uses the rear screen heater element as the ariel. Simple enough to wire too, ariel coax in, heated screen live in, aux power from radio in, two connections to the heated screen out. Grounds through the screened case.

here it is, attached to the chevanne. I decided on a quick test fit, in case its matched to the impedence of the scorpio rear screen or something daft.
Heated screen connector is easy, comes with a male end on the lead so you can just plug in where the live side of the screen was, power for the unit taken temporarily from the rear courtesy light.

So ariel lead into back of radio, ignition, hit scan.......

Elvis isn't dead, I heard him on my radio..... ;D
actually seems better than an ordinary telescopic ariel. I'm getting strong signal and tuning into local stations from 40 miles away. Inside the garage...

Proper tidy install another day, and I think this will be a trick to remember in future. As far as I know, most sierras and granadas have this module, and it is easy to adapt to anything with a heated rear screen and negative earth.