Simple low-tech audio ideas

[Imhotep]

Hey all. This is a great thread, not because some of you want to reuse antique sound equipment but because this is what Slate is all about! Customize it the way YOU want. I can't wait to meet up with other Slate owners to see how they modded their rig.
Keep those ideas coming.

That’s the spirit!

Bluetooth is an adequate low cost solution for many and some of us would not use anything we don’t install ourselves. Everyone wins!

I rode in a friend’s car with Bluetooth and every text booped through his speakers. That would drive me insane, but some folks don’t mind.

 

[Garbone]

Well as this will be for a 26/27 vehicle I may go old school with this for my head unit. A 25 vintage

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV3200/Sony-XAV-AX3200.html

But I could just use one of these for the antenna, should work well enough.

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Trucker-Radio-Antenna-Stainless/dp/B01G2QE8HG/

 

[nevermindkid]

Good point. Will an antenna be a Slate option if one chooses to plug in a head unit?

 

[KevinRS]

Antenna is something that will have to be worked out. Most cars already have them, change a head unit still use the same antenna.
Most aftermarket antennas will be designed to mount to a metal ground plane, and won't work nearly as well stuck to or drilled through a plastic panel.
That CB whip won't work well at all for FM, wrong length, and it is a ground plane type.
You will need a "no ground plane" antenna that can be mounted to or through the plastic, or maybe a low profile one on the metal frame hidden under the plastic.

edit:
A quick search is turning up cheap antennas made to put on the front or rear windows that should work hidden under a body panel.

 

[Luxrage]

I've got a few double-din radios from the 80s all the way to a 6-disc with Aux from a Ford F150 I pulled for a friend that ended up selling the truck that would make good Slate candidates until I decide if I want an Android Auto unit.