79 power antenna question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
79 power antenna question
Working on a 79 power antenna with CB radio. I have spent more time on this than I should have and it is driving me crazy. It goes up and down now after replacing the broken cable. BUT it leaves about 2 inches sticking out. I pulled it all apart and the mast without the cable does not go down in the tube far enough so it is not electrical. Also the mast comes right out of the tube to easily and on the way up just pushes the mast right out of the tube. Going down it definitely hits something positive that won't allow it to go down. What prevents the mast from coming out of the tube also. I have spent way to many hours on this.
Last edited by Gordonm; Mar 21, 2014 at 10:02 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Assuming this is an early 79 power antenna with the aluminum housing.
Are you sure you bought a CB repair cable? It's about 4" longer than a regular AM/FM cable.
No reason a correct nylon cable should spit out of the motor during up mode.
Also, did you notice if the cam inside the motor that the contact points ride on is white or red?
Should be red, slightly longer duration for the additional 4".
And condition of the springloaded pinch gear that rides on the nylon cable? Clean and sharp teeth? Can usually clean it up with a small triangular file if needed.
edit......is the load coil sticking up out of the fender? When the mast is down is the load coil against the large mast section and the small mast section against the load coil?
Are you using correct brackets or something made up?
Do you have a pic?
Are you sure you bought a CB repair cable? It's about 4" longer than a regular AM/FM cable.
No reason a correct nylon cable should spit out of the motor during up mode.
Also, did you notice if the cam inside the motor that the contact points ride on is white or red?
Should be red, slightly longer duration for the additional 4".
And condition of the springloaded pinch gear that rides on the nylon cable? Clean and sharp teeth? Can usually clean it up with a small triangular file if needed.
edit......is the load coil sticking up out of the fender? When the mast is down is the load coil against the large mast section and the small mast section against the load coil?
Are you using correct brackets or something made up?
Do you have a pic?
Last edited by KapsSA; Mar 21, 2014 at 05:47 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Brackets are correct. I think the mast has or had something on the bottom of it that prevented it from coming out. There is something in the bottom of the tube that looks like the antenna went in it. It may have come off or broken. I can get some pictures later. I'll look into the early or late model by the serial number. Pretty sure this has never been out of the car before.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
OK, that's a LATE 79-82 style.
There SHOULD be a hook on the end of the nylon cable. That's why I thought you had the earlier model, no mention of the hook. Have you had the plastic housing split open?
You'll see the take up reel with slots for the hook. That will keep it from coming out the top end like it sounds like you're saying.
I also don't see the gray load coil. That is all that keeps the smallest mast section retained in the second mast section. Do you see threads at the top of the second section?
There SHOULD be a hook on the end of the nylon cable. That's why I thought you had the earlier model, no mention of the hook. Have you had the plastic housing split open?
You'll see the take up reel with slots for the hook. That will keep it from coming out the top end like it sounds like you're saying.
I also don't see the gray load coil. That is all that keeps the smallest mast section retained in the second mast section. Do you see threads at the top of the second section?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Have you removed the mast sections from the bottom of the mast tube? Or is it coming out from the top? No way it should come out from the top, except for how I mentioned just the smallest mast section.
IS there a load coil?
IS there a load coil?
Last edited by KapsSA; Mar 21, 2014 at 11:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Yes I did split the case and yes the J hook is in there. All that seems to be ok. It is the mast that is the problem.
Last edited by Gordonm; Mar 22, 2014 at 06:57 AM.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Here is the bottom of my mast. As you can see no retainer.
Here is the whole antenna fully retracted
Now the question is where can I or can I get that little retainer for the bottom of the antenna. How does that white plastic cap come off the bottom of the tube. It looks like the tube is punched in where the cap is. Kind of like a press fit. I do see the retainer that came off or broke off I. The bottom of the tube.
Here is the whole antenna fully retracted
Now the question is where can I or can I get that little retainer for the bottom of the antenna. How does that white plastic cap come off the bottom of the tube. It looks like the tube is punched in where the cap is. Kind of like a press fit. I do see the retainer that came off or broke off I. The bottom of the tube.
Last edited by Gordonm; Mar 22, 2014 at 09:25 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
might try this place Gordonm, i purchased my last flexible mast from them. thats 3 that have broken so far in about 8 yrs., they may have the part you're looking for. good luck
http://antennamastsrus.com/
http://antennamastsrus.com/
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
might try this place Gordonm, i purchased my last flexible mast from them. thats 3 that have broken so far in about 8 yrs., they may have the part you're looking for. good luck
http://antennamastsrus.com/
http://antennamastsrus.com/
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
I MAY have a large mast section for a CB unit, gotta look.
To get that white retainer off the bottom of the tube you need to bend back the crimps.
If you can, give me a quick length measurement of the large section only.
To get that white retainer off the bottom of the tube you need to bend back the crimps.
If you can, give me a quick length measurement of the large section only.
Last edited by KapsSA; Mar 22, 2014 at 02:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Got one
The blocks in the pic are to help with removing the load coil.
Clamp 2 similar blocks together and run a 11/64 drill down the seam. Then clamp the mast section right under the load coil with the blocks into a vise. Wrap some tape around the load coil and use a pliers to carefully unscrew it.
Extend the mast and using a 21/64 drill bit come in from the bottom and cut away the crimp. Slide the other mast sections out and slide them into the new mast. Stick the fluted end of the drill bit into the end to help hold the shape of the mast and recrimp where you see the dimples. Just takes a little.
PM your address and I'll get it out.
The blocks in the pic are to help with removing the load coil.
Clamp 2 similar blocks together and run a 11/64 drill down the seam. Then clamp the mast section right under the load coil with the blocks into a vise. Wrap some tape around the load coil and use a pliers to carefully unscrew it.
Extend the mast and using a 21/64 drill bit come in from the bottom and cut away the crimp. Slide the other mast sections out and slide them into the new mast. Stick the fluted end of the drill bit into the end to help hold the shape of the mast and recrimp where you see the dimples. Just takes a little.
PM your address and I'll get it out.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
From: Burbank, Ca
Gentlemen, Wondering if you guys can help me. I've read this thread a few times. I recently bought a 78 Vett with 28000 original miles it has not run in 30 years. Unfortunately I turned the radio/cb on with the car cover still on in the back. The antenna started going up and either old age or the car cover broke something. Now there's 2 1/2 inchecs sticking out and it does'nt work at all. It's an early 78, delivery was early oct. 1977. If you need pics I can do that. Many thanks, esierra
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
Sounds like simply a broken nylon cable(see the pic in post 5). Altho that pic is of the LATE 79-82 style antenna, they both use the cable.
Breaking it was more a matter of it being old, not because of the car cover. It probably would have broke shortly, anyway.
Check out this thread.......................
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...e-rebuild.html
Breaking it was more a matter of it being old, not because of the car cover. It probably would have broke shortly, anyway.
Check out this thread.......................
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...e-rebuild.html
Last edited by KapsSA; Apr 10, 2014 at 09:04 PM.
99 percent of the time it is the cable. The one I was working on had a little more damage but the cable was the main culprit.