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: 3,103
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
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
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
Cruise-In III Veteran
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
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 7
From: Sandy Ego Ca.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 2
From: ZHills Florida
St. Jude Donor '08
