Antenna Mod?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Antenna Mod?
I read in another forum that instead of buying a shorty, you can cut the existing antenna down? is this correct does anyone have the info on doing this ? i did a search but no luck, how short would i be able to go without losing quality reception? thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
It's easily done if your antenna is a fixed mast. Optimum reception comes from a vertical mast of approx. 36".
If that's not important to you and/or you live in a metro area with good reception, simply cut off the amount you want to remove with a fine toothed hacksaw and fit a 1/8" vinyl cap to the end.
How much you should cut off will vary depending on your specific location in relation to transmitting towers.
If you listen only to CDs, you can leave the fixed mast off entirely and just add a vinyl cap over the threaded boss.
If that's not important to you and/or you live in a metro area with good reception, simply cut off the amount you want to remove with a fine toothed hacksaw and fit a 1/8" vinyl cap to the end.
How much you should cut off will vary depending on your specific location in relation to transmitting towers.
If you listen only to CDs, you can leave the fixed mast off entirely and just add a vinyl cap over the threaded boss.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jan 18, 2008 at 04:08 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 214
Likes: 4
From: Sweden
Why would you save a buck and cut the antenna when you can buy a shorty for $25???
This one is shortest that I know:
http://www.southerncarparts.com/corv...nna-p-480.html
Anyhow you already seem to have all the answers from Z06 forum so good luck.
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f5/antenna-108891/
This one is shortest that I know:
http://www.southerncarparts.com/corv...nna-p-480.html
Anyhow you already seem to have all the answers from Z06 forum so good luck.
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f5/antenna-108891/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 7
From: Sandy Ego Ca.
It's easily done if your antenna is a fixed mast. Optimum reception comes from a vertical mast of approx. 36".
If that's not important to you and/or you live in a metro area with good reception, simply cut off the amount you want to remove with a fine toothed hacksaw and fit a 1/8" vinyl cap to the end.
How much you should cut off will vary depending on your specific location in relation to transmitting towers.
If you listen only to CDs, you can leave the fixed mast off entirely and just add a vinyl cap over the threaded boss.
If that's not important to you and/or you live in a metro area with good reception, simply cut off the amount you want to remove with a fine toothed hacksaw and fit a 1/8" vinyl cap to the end.
How much you should cut off will vary depending on your specific location in relation to transmitting towers.
If you listen only to CDs, you can leave the fixed mast off entirely and just add a vinyl cap over the threaded boss.
Yeah what he said...cut it a multiple of its full length that way wavelenght wise your in the ball park
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Why would you save a buck and cut the antenna when you can buy a shorty for $25???
This one is shortest that I know:
http://www.southerncarparts.com/corv...nna-p-480.html
Anyhow you already seem to have all the answers from Z06 forum so good luck.
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f5/antenna-108891/
This one is shortest that I know:
http://www.southerncarparts.com/corv...nna-p-480.html
Anyhow you already seem to have all the answers from Z06 forum so good luck.
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f5/antenna-108891/
its more about looks
Last edited by ZEEEEOOOOSIC; Jan 18, 2008 at 04:40 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi ZEEEEOOOOSIC -
I shortened mine down to 9" and the reception is not changed from when it was the stock 10 feet tall.
I pulled the anti-static ball off the end - cut the antenna shaft down to 9" and then used my dremel tool to carefully grind down the tip of the resulting shaft so that it made a good interference fit into the anti-static ball.
I also put a dab of silicone to help the ball adhere to the shaft.
Then I hit it with from black paint and put the antenna back on.
And - FYI - you can buy an antenna from GM for under $10 if you want to retain the stock one for the year 2060 for Bloomington Gold certifications.
This link shows a picture of how the antenna looks on the car - not a close-up.
http://www.iammoon.com/albums/Corvet.../DSC00558.html
best regards -
mqqn
I shortened mine down to 9" and the reception is not changed from when it was the stock 10 feet tall.
I pulled the anti-static ball off the end - cut the antenna shaft down to 9" and then used my dremel tool to carefully grind down the tip of the resulting shaft so that it made a good interference fit into the anti-static ball.
I also put a dab of silicone to help the ball adhere to the shaft.
Then I hit it with from black paint and put the antenna back on.
And - FYI - you can buy an antenna from GM for under $10 if you want to retain the stock one for the year 2060 for Bloomington Gold certifications.
This link shows a picture of how the antenna looks on the car - not a close-up.
http://www.iammoon.com/albums/Corvet.../DSC00558.html
best regards -
mqqn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
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Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi ZEEEEOOOOSIC -
Thanks!
No problem!
To pull the anti-static ball off, I used a rag and some vice grips, but in retrospect, It might have carefully used a razor to try to score the black epoxy coating on the antenna where the ball and the shaft come together to make the ball release easier - and thus not require a death-grip on the ball that may put teeth-marks on the ball.
Good luck!
best regards-
mqqn
Thanks!
No problem!
To pull the anti-static ball off, I used a rag and some vice grips, but in retrospect, It might have carefully used a razor to try to score the black epoxy coating on the antenna where the ball and the shaft come together to make the ball release easier - and thus not require a death-grip on the ball that may put teeth-marks on the ball.
Good luck!
best regards-
mqqn
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Though I'm tempted to put a shorty antenna on my 'vert, what I ended up doing is wiring a on / off toggle switch to my stereo since the 'powered amp' line t's off onto the 'powered antenna' line. I listen to my mp3 cd's most of the time anyways so I just leave the antenna switched off; on the rare occassion I listen to the radio, I usually get satisfactory reception even with the antenna down.
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