Antenna or no Antenna?
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: AZ
Antenna or no Antenna?
Hopefully not a stupid question but did all C5 Corvettes come with a rear antenna on the passenger's side? I just purchased a 99 and mine doesn't have anything and no evidence anything was ever there? I only noticed really because I was trying to get an AM station to come in and had pretty much no luck with any but maybe 3 stations.
Next question is if not all of them came with an antenna on the rear of the car...where the heck, is it?
Next question is if not all of them came with an antenna on the rear of the car...where the heck, is it?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Douglas County WI
Don't know about the antenna question (maybe in windshield or back window) but I couldn't hardly get any AM stations after 20 miles from the source with the factory radio, so I replaced it with a JVC (Crutchfield recommended that brand for AM reception) It made a world of difference. Now I get four or more times the range on stations that barely came in after 20 miles or less.
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The coupe did not come with an antenna on the rear fender. The coupe has an antenna in the rear hatch glass and front windshield.
The Z06 came with a fixed mast antenna (not powered) on the rear passenger fender.
The convertible had a power antenna on the rear passenger fender.
The Z06 came with a fixed mast antenna (not powered) on the rear passenger fender.
The convertible had a power antenna on the rear passenger fender.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The C5 Z06 came with a fixed mast antenna on the right rear fender. It looks like an RC car with that cheap wire sticking up. I removed mine and had the hole filled and remounted the same antenna horizontally across the back inside the rear bumper. It works as well as it did sticking up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Miami FL
Hopefully not a stupid question but did all C5 Corvettes come with a rear antenna on the passenger's side? I just purchased a 99 and mine doesn't have anything and no evidence anything was ever there? I only noticed really because I was trying to get an AM station to come in and had pretty much no luck with any but maybe 3 stations.
Next question is if not all of them came with an antenna on the rear of the car...where the heck, is it?
Next question is if not all of them came with an antenna on the rear of the car...where the heck, is it?
Bad connections to the reception processing module, a failing module, or an improperly wired aftermarket headunit that is not providing power to that module, could be the reason of bad reception. It could also be that the antenna connector in the back of the headunit is not properly seated.
Coupes actually have 2 antennas:
The C5 Corvette coupe features a diversity antenna system designed to deliver the best radio signal reception possible.
Two antennas are used to form a diversity system. The primary antenna is attached to the rear lift window similar to a defogger grid. This antenna is used to receive both AM and FM signals. The secondary antenna is attached to the windshield in the same manner as the primary antenna. This antenna is used to receive only FM (diversity) signals. The antenna reception signals are sorted by a reception processing module. The module then sends the clearest, strongest signal to the radio control.
Multipath or signal flutter is the quickly fading in and out of FM radio signal reception. Multipath or signal flutter most often occurs in down-town areas or wherever large obstructions are present. A radio signal reflects off of buildings at various angles. When one signal crosses paths with a same signal (at a different angle) they will cancel each other out. The signal will be received and then not received very rapidly by a vehicle audio system. This causes a fluttering effect to be heard through a vehicle's speakers. With the Corvette diversity antenna system one of the two antennas will virtually always receive a strong signal and widely limit multipath.
Two antennas are used to form a diversity system. The primary antenna is attached to the rear lift window similar to a defogger grid. This antenna is used to receive both AM and FM signals. The secondary antenna is attached to the windshield in the same manner as the primary antenna. This antenna is used to receive only FM (diversity) signals. The antenna reception signals are sorted by a reception processing module. The module then sends the clearest, strongest signal to the radio control.
Multipath or signal flutter is the quickly fading in and out of FM radio signal reception. Multipath or signal flutter most often occurs in down-town areas or wherever large obstructions are present. A radio signal reflects off of buildings at various angles. When one signal crosses paths with a same signal (at a different angle) they will cancel each other out. The signal will be received and then not received very rapidly by a vehicle audio system. This causes a fluttering effect to be heard through a vehicle's speakers. With the Corvette diversity antenna system one of the two antennas will virtually always receive a strong signal and widely limit multipath.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Personally, I almost never listen to AM or FM anyway. 99.9% sirius, so I don't notice any difference. But I do live in a very hilly area and when I listen to non-satellite radio it is not bad with the sideways antenna, about the same as the stock vertical mast. Of course most people will not want to do bodywork to get rid of the antenna, but I had another issue at the time that made it convenient to do. And it looks so much better.
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It depends on the model of the C5.
If you had a convertible or a Z06, there is a mast antenna on the rear quarter panel of the passenger side.
If you have a coupe, the antennas are built into the front and rear glass. It has two antennas. Both of these antennas meet at a small box stashed in the lower B pillar on the driver side, post 7 here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-c5-coupe.html
You need to make sure both input antenna cables and the output (a third cable) are properly inserted into the module. I used electrical tape to make sure they dont back out.
If you had a convertible or a Z06, there is a mast antenna on the rear quarter panel of the passenger side.
If you have a coupe, the antennas are built into the front and rear glass. It has two antennas. Both of these antennas meet at a small box stashed in the lower B pillar on the driver side, post 7 here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-c5-coupe.html
You need to make sure both input antenna cables and the output (a third cable) are properly inserted into the module. I used electrical tape to make sure they dont back out.
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From: Thunder Bay
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If you turn the radio on, it'll go up. When you turn radio off, it'll retract.
If your radio is always on, it'll go up when you turn the key on, then retract when you shut the car off.
Beware turning the key on if you have the car cover installed...the on/off on radio is by pushing PWR button in but probably safer just to lift the cover off/around the back corner first
Last edited by 03tripleblack; Nov 20, 2024 at 11:04 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
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From: North Coast
If it's a convertible, it's automatic.
If you turn the radio on, it'll go up. When you turn radio off, it'll retract.
If your radio is always on, it'll go up when you turn the key on, then retract when you shut the car off.
Beware turning the key on if you have the car cover installed...the on/off on radio is by pushing PWR button in but probably safer just to lift the cover off/around the back corner first
If you turn the radio on, it'll go up. When you turn radio off, it'll retract.
If your radio is always on, it'll go up when you turn the key on, then retract when you shut the car off.
Beware turning the key on if you have the car cover installed...the on/off on radio is by pushing PWR button in but probably safer just to lift the cover off/around the back corner first
This is all you need to know. Leave the AM debate and what ever debate for someone who asked those questions. Shame it took this many posts.