Power antenna OR Solid one-Feasible?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 2
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
Power antenna OR Solid one-Feasible?
I bought my 1990 Vert (10,504 miles) this summer (my early retirement present to myself for next summer when I retire
) and I know that power antennas life expecency is getting close..
My question is...Will a standard solid mast antenna work? I dont care if the antenna is power or not. If it can be done; will any solid mast do?
Thanks
Bill
) and I know that power antennas life expecency is getting close..My question is...Will a standard solid mast antenna work? I dont care if the antenna is power or not. If it can be done; will any solid mast do?
Thanks
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
I don't mean to take this thread in another direction, but have you considered getting Satellite Radio? - I installed Sirius radio in mine a year or so ago and I have never looked back. thought I'd miss the local programming, but never have. I'm thinking about removing the antenna and closing the hole when I get the car painted in the future.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 2
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
I don't mean to take this thread in another direction, but have you considered getting Satellite Radio? - I installed Sirius radio in mine a year or so ago and I have never looked back. thought I'd miss the local programming, but never have. I'm thinking about removing the antenna and closing the hole when I get the car painted in the future.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 1
From: OR
I replaced my original power antenna with an aftermarket power antenna. Fit fine. Removed everything down to the hole in the body and installed. I can't imagine that a fixed antenna would be any different. jmo
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Just get one of those shorty rubber antennas, unbolt the crap in the antenna area, then shim it up good and bolt the new one in.
OR what I did was just cap off the hole and ran a cable inside. I have no more external antenna and it still picks up FM pretty good. The next time I have the car repainted, I am going to have the antenna hole shaved completely off.
OR what I did was just cap off the hole and ran a cable inside. I have no more external antenna and it still picks up FM pretty good. The next time I have the car repainted, I am going to have the antenna hole shaved completely off.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 282
Likes: 6
From: central michigan
antenna improvement
i dont know if it's still available,but gm used to sell an antenna improver kit which essentially was a ground plane of adhesive-backed aluminum foil with a ground wire. if you have everything taken apart to do the antenna,thats the time to add a ground plane.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,639
Likes: 326
From: Greenville SC
My 3rd antenna just stopped going up/down! I hate these things, and they are a PIA to change.
I have been thinking about getting something like the shorty fixed antenna(black) people use on the C5 Z06.
Anyone think this would fit/work?
http://www.corvettegarage.com/produc...-corvette.html
http://www.corvettepartz.com/992004-...enna-p-20.html
I have been thinking about getting something like the shorty fixed antenna(black) people use on the C5 Z06.
Anyone think this would fit/work?
http://www.corvettegarage.com/produc...-corvette.html
http://www.corvettepartz.com/992004-...enna-p-20.html
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 428
From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
I have tried for 4 years to get someone to put together a kit to swap in a shorty fixed antenna into C4's...no one wants to fool with it...I have repaired mine 3 times and it stops retracting about 3" short again...I am soooo over this auto antenna deal...
p.s. my idea was to use the shorty made of rubber that is totally flexible..not so easy to breaK OFF...
p.s. my idea was to use the shorty made of rubber that is totally flexible..not so easy to breaK OFF...
Last edited by Fuzzy Dice; Nov 10, 2007 at 07:55 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,333
Likes: 263
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Power%20Antenna.pdf
I'm not a fan of fixed antenna's, just something for some yo yo to grab and break.
I bought the GM mast repair kit(finial end with nylon rod), repaired the unit and put an inline switch in, so I can control when it sees the light of day. I think it's seen daylight twice in 4 years.
Still get good local reception with the antenna down.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,639
Likes: 326
From: Greenville SC
That's the problem, when the antenna stops working, it is something sticking up for someone to break off. The short fixed versions would be harder to break, and wouldn't stop working in the down position, plus a lot cheaper to replace.
So does anyone think the one's with the links I posted would work?
So does anyone think the one's with the links I posted would work?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 2
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
Thats good news...one question...did the existing power antenna cable lead slip into the cable lead on the new fixed antenna okay????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 1
From: OR
The factory male/female connector is different than standard. One end has barbs that catch on a lip in the other. FYI, it can be a b*tch to pull apart. I did plug the after market end into the factory end in mine. Used vinyl electric (3M 88) tape to hold it together. Works fine. I think it would almost be easier to buy a new plug or splice at radio shack and leave the factory connector alone. If you did that, you can do all the work outside and leave the interior of the car alone. Just a thought.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Why don't you just cut the wire that goes to the motor when the antenna is up? That way you have a solid mast antenna and if you want to, you can always reconnect the wires ore put a switch in, so you could have it either way.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 2
From: Coquitlam British Columbia
Some great info from you guys for possible ways of handling my inquiry.Thanks for the help!!!!!
