Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Archives of Posts to the NZ MX5 List back in 2002
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Grant
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 175
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 9:41 pm
Location: Sunny Blenheim

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Grant » Thu Nov 14, 2002 9:13 am

Does anybody know where I can get an electric aerial for my 1992 MX5. Has a
manual one at present. Even if someone has the remains of one or two then
maybe I could resurrect one. I want to be able to cover the car when parked
with the roof down in the back yard and keep the neighbour's cat out of it
(it's already left its mark on the passenger's door)!
I've got a microwave sensor for the alarm and was wondering where the best
place is to mount it. Easier to ask someone who has already done this.

Thanks,

Grant in sunny Blenheim (again)
Red 2006 NC Tiptronic
FIX A PC

Graeme Naisbitt

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Graeme Naisbitt » Thu Nov 14, 2002 9:38 am

Easiest place to mount it is in the lockable storage bin in the center
between the seats... Easiest for a thief to get at also.

Another place I've seen them mounted is in the ashtray, this involves
removing the bottom half of the ashtray, gluing the lid closed then
gluing the top back into position. Less obvious.

I took the easy route, an alarm is a deterrent, an immoboliser is the
solution.

Graeme
D4NGER

lou Girardin

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by lou Girardin » Thu Nov 14, 2002 9:43 am

Try DAS Autoparts for the aerial. Put the M/wave sensor under the centre
console oddments holder. However, if you carry metallic objects in there, put
it under the rear bulkhead carpet just above this area.
Lou

Mathew

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Mathew » Thu Nov 14, 2002 9:49 am

I'd try the local wreckers or Ross at mx5mart for a second hand aerial.

Cats and mx5's don't tend to go together well. My cat loves to sleep on the roof when the soft-top is up. She climbs up via the bonnet and windscreen, making muddy paw prints all the way, then leaves by sliding down the plastic rear window using her claws as clampons to slow her descent. I guess its just another reason not to put the top up.

M@

Grant
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 175
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 9:41 pm
Location: Sunny Blenheim

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Grant » Thu Nov 14, 2002 10:15 am

I'll try the rear bulkhead I think. The storage bin has a woodgrain top on it
with a metal base so obviously won't work. The ash tray has an analogue clock
and a speaker for my ham radio in there, so it's no longer available as well.
Thanks everyone for the replies.

Grant.
Red 2006 NC Tiptronic
FIX A PC

Cory

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Cory » Thu Nov 14, 2002 10:36 am

I have my sensor mounted under the center console, between the gear stick
ant the dash. It just sits on the carpet and the wire goes back under the
stereo.

Cory

lou Girardin

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by lou Girardin » Thu Nov 14, 2002 2:48 pm

Microwave sensors have to be mount on a metal ground plane, ie the cars body,
to work their best.
Unfortunately, while an immobiliser will prevent the car being started, it is
no deterrent to entry or even someone reaching into the open car.
Lou

simple
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Why yes, actually I do run this site.
Posts: 129
Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 5:19 pm

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by simple » Thu Nov 14, 2002 2:52 pm

I mounted my microwave sensor beneath the power window switches -
this being on the slopey bit just forward of the centre console
storage thingy and just rearward of the ashtray. I cut a square of
carpet off the top of the transmission tunnel and glued down a thick
piece of plastic sheet onto the tunnel. The sensor then mounts on
the plastic sheet. I was keen for solid mounting to reduce risk of
false alarms due to vibration (eg. from passing vehicles).

Naturally, I took pictures.

There isn't much metal in the power window switches and I don't think
they have any significant impact on the microwave operation. But,
I've not tried the sensor anywhere else & don't know. This seems
like a good location from the perspective that the sensor is mounted
low & can't "see" much outside the car - I don't really want it
triggering until people are close enough to be looking in the
windows.


Karl.

Graeme Naisbitt

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Graeme Naisbitt » Thu Nov 14, 2002 2:53 pm

I took the easy root and put it in the storage bin and it seems to work
fine there. I'm more concerned about people stealing my car, I won't
leave anything in it, the tops down most of the time anyway. Even so, I
installed a top of the range alarm/immobilizer, some deterrent is better
than none.

Unfortunately too many people ignore alarms going off nowadays, it's a
shame there isn't a monitoring system like house alarms. I've looked
into pager alarms before as well but don't think they are a realistic
option if you are nowhere near the bloody car at the time.

Graeme
D4NGER

lou Girardin

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by lou Girardin » Thu Nov 14, 2002 4:06 pm

There are a couple of good GSM phone pager systems about, we don't do one yet.
They're not cheap, but much better range than a pager and some can operate
various functions via the phone. Try Manta Electronics and CLM Marketing for
pricing.
Lou

Graeme Naisbitt

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Graeme Naisbitt » Thu Nov 14, 2002 4:19 pm

Never tried the GSM alarm systems, though I've had quite a bit of
experience with the GSM/GPS spy in the cab Truck tracking devices,
they're pretty awesome. You know exactly which greasy spoon the truck
drivers pulled up at, and for how long etc.. they're really easy to fit
although you did have to stick two aerials on, one GPS and one GSM so
wasn't particularly stealthy.

Graeme

lou Girardin

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by lou Girardin » Thu Nov 14, 2002 4:38 pm

They are impressive, but I still have reservations, mainly with cost, but also
with trying to get a Police response if your cars nicked.
I've also heard that thieves in the US are covering the car with a metallised
car cover and hauling it away on a flat bed truck, another dodge is putting
the car into a shipping container. This is all professional criminal stuff
though. I still think the most cost effective solution for most of us is a
good alarm/immobiliser.
Lou

Simon Lord
See my 5 and raise you.
See my 5 and raise you.
Posts: 98
Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:09 pm
Location: Albany

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Simon Lord » Thu Nov 14, 2002 4:56 pm

My favourite tale like that came from the Italian GP at Monza in the 70's. A
guy parked a truck outside the entrance and offered parking for motorcyclists
on the back of his truck. He then drove truck and motorcyclists into the
circuit parking area and they all shared the parking fee for the one vehicle.
Clever, eh? That's what the motorcyclists thought too, especially when the GP
finished and they all came back to find - surprise, surprise, the truck and
all 30 motorbikes had gone.

Simon
97 SR Ltd (sparkle green)
Email: simon@franchise.co.nz

Grant
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Need, more, 5-ing, time....
Posts: 175
Joined: Thu May 18, 2006 9:41 pm
Location: Sunny Blenheim

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Grant » Thu Nov 14, 2002 5:18 pm

Well...got all sorts of unexpected replies on this subject! Thanks
everybody. Looks like a bit of experimentation to be done at the weekend if I
get the time. This all started when I decided a remote boot release was in
order. I kept unlocking the boot with the keys, then walking away leaving the
keys in the lock!
I intend disabling the release in the console and might move the petrol filler
release to inside the boot as well. That way I can use the release to get at
the filler release without having to use the key.
I decided to add the microwave sensor as the system had the capability and I
thought it might scare the cats away if nothing else.
The alarm has an engine immobiliser as well, so hopefully all bases will be
covered as much as possible with no roof.

Thanks again,

Grant in very sunny Blenheim.
Red 2006 NC Tiptronic
FIX A PC

nmr

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by nmr » Thu Nov 14, 2002 6:31 pm

! I've got a microwave sensor for the alarm and was
wondering where the best place is to mount it. Easier to ask someone
who has already done this.
The chap who installed mine put it under the carpet on the
bulkhead behind and between the seats.

Charles & Morven Lynch

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Charles & Morven Lynch » Thu Nov 14, 2002 6:47 pm

Mine was professionally fitted but just sits on top of the carpet under
the center glovebox.
Morven's was fitted last week and is in the space under the CD player.
(attached to the metal brace at the back.)
Incidentally the perfect place for the flashing LED is fitted in the
square plastic bolt cover in the centre of the dash at the base of the
windscreen.
It's both very visable and easy to restore to stock if you want to remove
it for any reason..
Cheers
Chic

[...]

zorruno
Black is the new black.
Black is the new black.
Posts: 601
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Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by zorruno » Thu Nov 14, 2002 7:11 pm

Unfortunately too many people ignore alarms going off nowadays, it's a
shame there isn't a monitoring system like house alarms.
Tracknet Sentinel - not cheap though. Uses GMS, Radio & GPS. Is monitored
by Chubb Security

Useful if you have a high value irreplaceable vehicle. Insurance is
cheaper...
(z)

Graeme Naisbitt

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by Graeme Naisbitt » Thu Nov 14, 2002 7:16 pm

Might knock my own up with an old mobile and a GPS =)

lou Girardin

Electric aerial and alarm microwave sensor

Post by lou Girardin » Fri Nov 15, 2002 8:07 am

I'm surprised it works properly under there, is it a dual stage sensor? If so,
is the external field effective front, rear and sides?
In answer to the other question, yes temp variation can affect the sensor
fields. Obviously, quality plays a big part in how much so.
Very heavy rain can also trigger external field chirps, our systems enable you
to turn this off via the remote when required.
Lou

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