Has anyone installed a fixed antenna?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Has anyone installed a fixed antenna?
I decided to replace my dead power antenna with a fixed one. I have all of the parts including the ground plate.
My question: the antenna cable body has two shoulders that look like they should fit in the notches in the reinforcement of the grounding plate. Mine do but loosely. Should this fit be snug? Should I just bend the metal tabs for a better fit? Since these shoulders are the only thing holding the ground plate up, I would think the the fit would be pretty tight.
My question: the antenna cable body has two shoulders that look like they should fit in the notches in the reinforcement of the grounding plate. Mine do but loosely. Should this fit be snug? Should I just bend the metal tabs for a better fit? Since these shoulders are the only thing holding the ground plate up, I would think the the fit would be pretty tight.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. With the poor focus, I figure these are worth 400 each.
This picture shows the antenna base which is part of the cable. Note the shoulders:
I think that the nut that Mike is talking about is attached on the outside (top) of this part and will keep the antenna mast from falling into the body. As near as I can tell, only the shoulders engaging in the lugs hold up the ground plate. Note the gap:
Either something ain't right or I'm missing the point completely.
This picture shows the antenna base which is part of the cable. Note the shoulders:
I think that the nut that Mike is talking about is attached on the outside (top) of this part and will keep the antenna mast from falling into the body. As near as I can tell, only the shoulders engaging in the lugs hold up the ground plate. Note the gap:
Either something ain't right or I'm missing the point completely.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I agree with you, the antenna body should fit in the ground plane tighter than that shows.
Here is the antenna body (with the "nubs") and cable from my '73 which should be the same or close, to what you're dealing with...
And here's a picture of the Antenna reinforcement, which is riveted to ground plate. (It's inverted and the lugs are upside down here.)
My antenna body fit the reinforcement much tighter than your image shows. I would at least try to close the distance between the two ears on your reinforcement to get a better grip on the antenna body, or you will not get a permanently tight antenna body.
Good luck... GUSTO
Here is the antenna body (with the "nubs") and cable from my '73 which should be the same or close, to what you're dealing with...
And here's a picture of the Antenna reinforcement, which is riveted to ground plate. (It's inverted and the lugs are upside down here.)
My antenna body fit the reinforcement much tighter than your image shows. I would at least try to close the distance between the two ears on your reinforcement to get a better grip on the antenna body, or you will not get a permanently tight antenna body.
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Thanks Gusto. That's kind of what I thought. Just wanted to make sure that I wasn't totally missing the point.
I must say that I'm very much getting tired of parts that don't fit at all. This is the third repair in a row where I tried to do something that really should be simple but I get stopped because at least one part isn't even close.
I must say that I'm very much getting tired of parts that don't fit at all. This is the third repair in a row where I tried to do something that really should be simple but I get stopped because at least one part isn't even close.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
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From: Florida
I have crimped the steel reinforment plate tabs closer together quite a bit to make them fit.
You may have to leave it separate from the ground plane because you will need to rotate it to make the antenna stand perfectly verticle.
I put copper antiseize on the mast only threads, so it can be removed by hand for a cover or storage.
You may have to leave it separate from the ground plane because you will need to rotate it to make the antenna stand perfectly verticle.
I put copper antiseize on the mast only threads, so it can be removed by hand for a cover or storage.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,706
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Panama City Beach, Florida
