www.iFourWinns.com

I bought my 1990 Sundowner this spring. I installed a new radio and attached the existing FM antenna connector that runs from dash to unknown buried location/destination beneath the glued carpet liner within the cuddy. The FM reception is poor in an area (Boston/Cape) where reception is normally quite good with an non-powered antenna. There is an unconnected to source orange wire that runs along side the antenna as far as I can tell. Is this orange wire to feed a factory installed antenna amplifier? I haven't had a chance to check it with a circuit tester. I certainly don't want to connect it to power without knowing for sure. And I don't want to spend $150 bucks on a good antenna/mount unless I need it.

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1990 205 Sundowner
1971 Chris Craft Lancer Custom 17 (currently for sale)
1971 BMW 2002tii (sold)
1979 C&C 26 Sloop
1995 Catalina Capri 14

I too boat around Boston. I just bought a rubber ant. for $10.00 and it works far better than that wire the boat comes with. I dont the there is a amp for the ant., at least from the factory.

The factory antenna is just a 2-3ft wire going nowhere.

If you're in love with commercials, you can install an aftermarket external antenna. Just do a google search. Personally I think money would be better spent on an ipod.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Dual Electronics MAW40 Car/Marine Wire Antenna

I bought this on Amazon, and it works great. Ran it along the wire harness and cables running alongside the helm, and have great reception. Only $4.99 on Amazon right now plus shipping.

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1988 215 Sundowner 5.7L OMC

Thanks for the suggestions. I want good FM reception so that I can clearly hear publicly broadcast RED SOX and PATRIOTS and lately, post-season BRUINS games. It's gonna be a few more years before I hear Celtics post-season games. My new in dash player has an SD card slot for loaded music with no commercial interruptions. When there's a break in play by play commentary, I switch to music. I cannot fully utilize the expense for XM Satellite or Sirius Radio for music subscriptions.

Anyone know what that orange wire might be about?

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1990 205 Sundowner
1971 Chris Craft Lancer Custom 17 (currently for sale)
1971 BMW 2002tii (sold)
1979 C&C 26 Sloop
1995 Catalina Capri 14