BigBill94

I'm sorting out a '70 LS5 and trying to "un-bubba" a few things.

The PO put in a nice power antenna, and then put what looks like a 1980s power window switch on the radio side panel on the driver's slide to control the "up/down" function.

Is there a way to make the up/down on the power antenna automatic rather than having the out of place power window switch?

Thanks!

Hammerhead Fred

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If it's the stock radio then the switch it the only way to go that I know of.
If you have an aftermarket radio most have a power antenna plug/out that activates the up/down for the antenna when the radio is turned on/off.

High Country 72

Way back when, I hooked up a relay to my 68 with the original radio using the radio power feed to trigger relay. So Ignition and radio on, antenna up, turn key off antenna down. Worked great entire time I owned car.

Bikespace

First, a serious, possibly helpful response.

Here is a blowup of the circuit from a '79 Corvette. There is a double-pole, double-throw relay that puts the antenna up or down with the radio. Perhaps you could find the pieces from a later car, or build something similar with parts.

Bikespace

And now a serious suggestion.

Go with a hide-away antenna. Ecklers even sells them:
http://amzn.to/2FjL6ir
Our cars are fiberglass, reception should not be a problem under your rear deck, or even under a front fender.

Then put the stock antenna back in for appearance, or plug the hole, or glass it smooth.

You say you want to un-Bubba the car. The stock antenna is a cartoonish mess, and probably the most Bubba thing GM did to one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Every time you see that massive radio mast go up, especially if you watch from outside the car, you will think that you are driving a radio controlled car.

(This is a '63 Corvette, but you get the idea)

Richard454

Just get a good aftermarket power antenna-

The relays are built in- and the trigger wire just requires +12 to go up- remove the power and it goes down

How to accomplish that with a stock radio?

$15 and one of these

Simply hook it up to a speaker lead- when its senses the radio on- it'll trigger the antenna with a +12volts.


https://pac-audio.com/catalog/specialty-items/tr-4



OH- the hidaway type antennae likes a ground plane too- since the the bodies are fiberglass there is just a skeleton of metal below- that the reason these are used on underneath the stock antenna for a grond plane.





ME? The stock antenna hole?

I used it to vent my tank since I added FI.

BigBill94

Using the antenna hole for a tank vent is slick.

There is a ground plate back there.

The DPDT relay would solve with what I have, although I like the idea of cleaning up the wiring and going to a newer style.

Based on the restoration stickers that are spread around inside the dashboard, my LS5 was restored/restomodded in 2010-2011.

Thank you for the great responses!!

PainfullySlow

Thanks for this. I hadn't gotten around to looking for a hidden antenna yet but this saved me some trouble. I really do not care for that antenna sticking up in the back and will glass over the hole for a more streamlined look.