Hi Todd. Here's a copy of the diagram from the '75 Assembly Manual. Should help paint the picture for you. Bob
Ok dumb question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 1
From: aurora
Ok dumb question
I took out my power antenna and just put a mast antenna in.
Now these mast antennas are for steel body cars and would ground at the nut or do they have to? so my question is....
Where the antenna nut holds the antenna to the body do I have to make up some sort of ground wire and hook it to the frame this being fiberglass car. And could this be why I have had so much static on the radio?
Thanks
Todd
Now these mast antennas are for steel body cars and would ground at the nut or do they have to? so my question is....
Where the antenna nut holds the antenna to the body do I have to make up some sort of ground wire and hook it to the frame this being fiberglass car. And could this be why I have had so much static on the radio?
Thanks
Todd
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
I don't think a mast antena needs grounding? My guess anyway.
The power antenna was grounded so it would go up and down.
Noise in your reception is probably electrical interferance.
Alternator, plug wires, radio head ground.
The power antenna was grounded so it would go up and down.
Noise in your reception is probably electrical interferance.
Alternator, plug wires, radio head ground.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 100
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From: Long Jetty NSW
I think I'm correct in saying that you need a ground plane at the base of the antenna. Not sure of the theory behind this but the same applies to fibreglass boats. Ecklers have a Ground Support Plate. you then have to ground the plate via a ground strap. This is not to supply an earth for the motor to work, it's to do with reception properties of the antenna.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I don't have any pics handy but the mast antenna on my 72 had a plate attached and was grounded to the frame. Any electrical circuit normally has a ground connection (or it wouldn't be a circuit 
)and for Vettes it has to be the frame or a circuit that is connected to the frame. Fiberglass isn't one of your better electrical conductors.
Rick B.
)and for Vettes it has to be the frame or a circuit that is connected to the frame. Fiberglass isn't one of your better electrical conductors. Rick B.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,371
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From: Beecher Illinois
As mentioned, the ground strap on the power antenna was to help reception, not operate the power antenna.
And all the vendor catalogs list the ground plate used with the stationary mast.
In short, ground it.
And all the vendor catalogs list the ground plate used with the stationary mast.
In short, ground it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 100
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From: Long Jetty NSW
To quote Wikipedia, and this is just a small exerpt from a longer explanation.........
Essentially, the ground plane acts as the "missing half" of a dipole two element, half wave long, center fed antenna. It can be thought of as the "return current" path for the radiating antenna.
Essentially, the ground plane acts as the "missing half" of a dipole two element, half wave long, center fed antenna. It can be thought of as the "return current" path for the radiating antenna.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 1
From: aurora