Car Audio - Car Phone Installation

Antenna

Glass mount cellular antennas consist on two parts:  The antenna itself, and the receiver part (which goes inside the vehicle).  Both parts are held in place by double stick tape, but the outside part of the antenna is sealed-off with silicone to avoid dirt from getting under the antenna.

The most popular location for phone antennas is on the center top part of the rear window (remember that antenna has to be as high as possible).  On some sport-utilities and hatchbacks this location is not feasible, so try rear windows, or top side of windshield.

When deciding a location make sure that there are no metal strips (defroster) or other obstructions such as stickers or glass tinting film (cut off if necessary).  If there is no alternative, the middle of the antenna base should be located between two defroster lines.  Most antennas will not work very good in metallic glass, i.e. Fords with front window defroster.

Before installing anything, the window should be thoroughly cleaned (Windex or something similar will do).  It is better to start off with the inside part of the antenna.  First, screw the wire to the base.  Peel off tape and align base, making sure the wire can be hidden.  Once you stick the base, it will not come off very easily!  Install the outside part of the antenna: Apply a bit of silicon all around the bottom edges, peel off tape, line up, stick the base to the glass.   If possible, wait a couple hours for the silicone to set, and then cut off excess with a razor blade for a neat finish.  Double stick tape adheres a lot better at warmer temperatures.

Phone Main Unit

Phone boxes can be located pretty much anywhere.  Most common locations are:  Under front, rear seats, under the rear deck, or hidden in the trunk.   Install in an area where it's not going to get wet (particularly Jeeps and convertibles).  Make sure antenna and microphone wires will reach.

Some phones have a speaker that plugs either to the handset or the phone itself.  The speaker can be mounted hidden somewhere under the dash.  The microphone should be installed as far away to the handset as possible to prevent feedback, but still close to the driver.  The most common location is to run the wire under the "A" pillar on the driver's side, and locate the mike on left front part of the roof.

If you bother to read installation instructions that come with the phones, you'll see that they say to run the hot and ground all the way up to the battery.   All this hassle is not really necessary.  The ground could be connected to a metal part of the car close to the phone, and the hot and ignition can be connected either to the fuse box, or behind the radio.  If you are still going to the battery for power, don't forget to add a fuse as close as possible to the battery.

To hook up horn alert or radio mute, you might need to add relays.   This wire is usually a negative trigger.  Check manuals to see what type of output the phone puts out and what type of input the head unit or other accessories require.

Handset

Typical location for handsets or phone cradles is the center console, or transmission hump in the middle of the car.

First, put together the mounting bracket and decide the ideal location.  Before you drill any holes, make sure the handset is not going to block seats sliding back and forth, cup holders, glove boxes, etc.  Mark where you want to drill the holes and check that there are no wires or parts that might get damaged when drilling.  In some cases you might have to build custom mounts out of wood or other materials for the phones.