Love my new Z06 but hate the radio antenna. What is available that is lower profile but can still tune in an FM station? Could probably go w/o radio and just listen to the engine roar.
Thanks!

 

You can pull the ball off, cut to length, and replace the ball, just be gentle with the ***** :lolg: I crack myself up :)

 

I purchased the shorty antenna,my reception is the same as the stock one Ecklers carries one also.
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...UCQDGB2U7PE6K0

and if your really energetic,they sell a kit for a power antenna that you can install on the Z06 https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=38&TopicID=1
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...UCQDGB2U7PE6K0


[Modified by vettez06, 4:41 PM 7/6/2003]


[Modified by vettez06, 4:43 PM 7/6/2003]

 

I bought a short antenna at autozone for about 7 dollars.

 

Whats funny is that I am getting better reception with my 8" shorty antenna than I was with the stock flagpole.

 

Cut it down yourself in 15 minutes. http://www.members.shaw.ca/tonyscott...enna%20mod.htm

 

This looks good, Thanks for the help!

 

or, install a GM power antenna like comes in the convertible

about $100 from Fitchner

 

I just cut mine down to 8" & couldn't get the ball back on.So, I threw on some black gloss paint,re-screwed the antenna on & crossed my fingers as I turned on the tunes. Much to my surprise...there was clear music playing on every station!! All from a cut to 8",no ball on top antenna.No more tower on the back!!! :party:

 

I used the above to do mine.

Was easy, quick and works very well.

And...it looks a whole lot better!

Good luck!

 

I dont like the look a shorter one, nor would I even entertain the idea of a power one :U
so I just removed the "flag pole" :lol: and slipped a vaccum cap over the threads. Reception is fine...

see below

 

Looks great, Thanks for the detail!

 

Where did you get the vaccum cap?
Thanks

 

I had one layin around in the garage, but you can get one from any auto parts store for under a dollar. Plus the stock antenna can be replaced in about 10 seconds :thumbs:

 

I'm wondering is there is a way to amplify the antenna signal without having an antenna at all. If not, then what is the shortest length I can go without losing normal reception?

I wish the Z06 had the antenna in the glass like the coupe.

 

Isn't that what alexWS6 is saying? :crazy:

He took it off and capped it and it works fine. I have also heard this from some other forum members. Good luck! :cheers:

 

Reception is unchanged with shorty antenna, but the risk of poking yourself in the eye while washing/waxing/accessing trunk is pretty scary. I think i might try that antenna-delete/vacuum cap trick. Thanks for the tip.

 

I know that is what he said but, not everyone will get good reception. I live in a small town with mountains all around. Removing the antenna will most likely lower my reception. If I had some sort of signal booster then hopefully my reception wouldn't change without the antenna.

 

When I get my Z06 painted I'm going to shave the antenna and mount an internal boosted one.

 

What your saying is correct FM waves, like any other wave, travels at the speed of light, and has a specific length to the signal waves called wavelength. For some reason beyond my understanding, antennas built to multiples of 5/8th of the wavelength get the strongest signals - even stronger than full wavelength antennas; using a multiple of the 5/8th length increases the strength a bit with each multiple, up to the limit of resistance on the wire (in other words, an antenna 6 times the 5/8ths length might work, but anything beyond 12 times probably can't send the signal from the ends down the wire to the radio). The higher you can put the antenna, the better the signal will be. Also, the antenna doesn't have to be perfectly straight; it can go around a corner without a problem, just make sure each side of the antenna, measured from the corner, is a multiple of the 5/8th wave length.
To build an antenna that centers on a specific station such as a weak station you want to receive better, use the frequency of that station in the following formula.

Formula: 300 / (frequency in Mhz) * (5/8) * (1/2) = length in meters of the ideal 5/8ths antenna using twinlead 300 Ohm wire.

To simplify the formula:
93.75 / Freq in Mhz = length in meters of the ideal 5/8th's antenna.

So, to get the length of the ideal 5/8ths antenna for the full FM radio spectrum (centered on 98Mhz):
93.75 / 98 = .95663265306 meters, or 95.66 centimeters
(which converts to 37.66 inches).

To build a stronger antenna, multiply that result by a whole number. This type of antenna can be hidden on the inside of a Corvette trunk. As it stands the Vette antenna is a perfect 5/8 wave antenna cutting it shorter and claiming that it hears better or even as well violates all rules of radio theory, and should be patented, you will make a fortune. As in most cases less is not better.