Technical Antenna Question...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 995
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From: Alhambra CA
Re: Technical Antenna Question... (Patrick Tighe)
Wire wrapped around the antenna??
I think what you are likely seeing isn't a wire but is a design feature that is supposed to cause less wind noise at speed..
Doesn't affect reception or tonal quality.
Tony
[Modified by pittsaj, 12:43 PM 2/9/2002]
I think what you are likely seeing isn't a wire but is a design feature that is supposed to cause less wind noise at speed..
Doesn't affect reception or tonal quality.
Tony
[Modified by pittsaj, 12:43 PM 2/9/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
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From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Re: Technical Antenna Question... (Patrick Tighe)
The General probably figured a guy with a Z06 would never notice a crappy radio anyway. He wouldn't be able to hear anything over all the screaming tire sounds and that high reving Chevy small block winding through the gears. Are you trying to say you expected concert sound in your Z06?
:jester :jester
:jester :jester
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
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From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Re: Technical Antenna Question... (Patrick Tighe)
The radio from the most expensive GM car made should have excellent tonal qualitites and reception!!
I think pittsaj is correct; that "wire wrapped around the antenna" is a manufacturing technique to add that spiral contour to the antenna staff. The contour disrupts the air flow around the antenna staff, presumably for noise reduction. That wire appears to be brazed to the antenna staff, and therefore it becomes an electrically integral part of the antenna staff, and could add no improvement with additional antenna length, etc.
Those kinky looking antennas showed up on the other brands before GM I believe, but their execution of the spiral contour design was better with nice rounded contours at the base of the spiral. I think I saw my first one on a Ford product.
Have you considered that your Z06 antenna may simply have been loose or lacking good electrical contact, and when you changed the antenna, you fixed the problem? You might try coating the antenna base with some of that GM dielectric grease before you install the antenna staff.
[Modified by Chuck Sangerhausen, 7:00 PM 2/9/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
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Re: Technical Antenna Question... (Patrick Tighe)
In the interests of pure scientific experimentation, does the radio in the truck now sound like a lump-of-dung? If you reinstall the original antenna, does the poor sound quality return?
Could it be as simple as a poor connection or perhaps it's a faulty antenna?
Enquiring minds want to know!!!
Could it be as simple as a poor connection or perhaps it's a faulty antenna?
Enquiring minds want to know!!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 995
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From: Alhambra CA
Re: Technical Antenna Question... (Patrick Tighe)
Maybe this wire thing will help Materdave..
I understand he is looking to tune up the sounds out the exhaust :lol: :lol:
Sorry :reddevil
Just kidding
Glad it helped
Tony
I understand he is looking to tune up the sounds out the exhaust :lol: :lol:
Sorry :reddevil
Just kidding
Glad it helped
Tony
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,501
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Re: Technical Antenna Question... (Patrick Tighe)
The best antenna would then be 50 feet long, not to practical for a car.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,289
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From: the West is the best
Re: Technical Antenna Question... (Patrick Tighe)
I think what you have found to be interesting. How can anyone deny that the radio reception on ZO6s suck? I am not talking about audiophile quality here, just basic reception issues. I'm going to try it... hee haw!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,825
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From: Mobile AL
Re: Technical Antenna Question... (Patrick Tighe)
The wire wrapped around the antenna in a spiral is called a vortex shedder. It is there to channel air flow smoothly around the shaft and reduce the wind load. I imagine it might reduce wind noise too.
Vortex shedders can often be seen on tall industrial smoke stacks and flare towers.
Vortex shedders can often be seen on tall industrial smoke stacks and flare towers.
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Team Owner
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From: Washington Michigan
Re: Technical Antenna Question... (Patrick Tighe)
Jerry and your son are correct - the spiral wire was added solely to improve airflow around the mast to reduce "whipping" of the solid mast antenna and the resultant noise/vibration transmitted through the antenna base to the body. Any improvement in reception is an accidental secondary benefit. Sounds like your Z06 antenna isn't making a good electrical connection with the socket in the antenna base for some reason.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
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From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Re: Technical Antenna Question... (Patrick Tighe)
Patrick, the post above reminds me that I originally wasn't happy with the radio reception on my 87, and I installed an "improved" gound plane kit that I ordered from Ecklers.
I believe the 87 had a ground plane installed at the factory, but it was small and just did not get the job done. This "ground plane" kit was nothing more than insulated wire that was strung along the wiring harness under the rear facia and connected to the radio antenna. Reception was improved. I haven't read the late-model Vette catalogs page by page for a long time...there may be a similar kit for the C5. Then you wouldn't have to carry a screen door around in your trunk. :D
Well, that is, if you are wanting to lose that "bailing wire" antenna. Still isn't clear to me how that "bailing wire" makes any difference in the reception. I still think you had a bad electrical connection. :D
I believe the 87 had a ground plane installed at the factory, but it was small and just did not get the job done. This "ground plane" kit was nothing more than insulated wire that was strung along the wiring harness under the rear facia and connected to the radio antenna. Reception was improved. I haven't read the late-model Vette catalogs page by page for a long time...there may be a similar kit for the C5. Then you wouldn't have to carry a screen door around in your trunk. :D
Well, that is, if you are wanting to lose that "bailing wire" antenna. Still isn't clear to me how that "bailing wire" makes any difference in the reception. I still think you had a bad electrical connection. :D