Topic: fixed antenna
in Forum: C3 Body
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I have a fixed antenna, and the new car cover I got for Christmas, of course, doesn't have a provision for the antenna. I have a couple of options:
1. Drop the entire thing down through the hole every time I cover the car. Yeah, like that's going to happen.
2. Convert to a power antenna. I've seen several options available. What's the difference between this one and this one? Do I really need to spend twice as much for the one labled as a conversion kit?
3. Is there such a thing as a fixed antenna that be manually retracted and extended? Or I should say is there such a thing for our vettes, as they are on many other older cars.
Thanks for the input. The car cover is on, but the vette's left rear is hanging out in the breeze....
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
John, do what I do. Just take a 9/16" wrench, loosen and remove the nut that holds the mast to the base, and slip the mast out. Problem solved! 
I do this on my car so I can put the cover on it. I just lay the mast across the luggage rack when it's in the garage, but stick it inside the car when I'm traveling. 
I do this on my car so I can put the cover on it. I just lay the mast across the luggage rack when it's in the garage, but stick it inside the car when I'm traveling. Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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I loosened that nut but the mast is rusted in won't come out. Now that I know it's designed that way, I'll take the whole thing out and see if I can free it up. Thanks Joel! 
Lifetime MemberGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
I bought some grommets at the hardware store and in the area of the antennae put a small hole in the cover and installed the grommet. It just gave the cover a finished look. It was a quick easy fix.
I though about sewing a sleeve in that area to cover the mast but haven't gotten (a round tuit) that done yet...Tuxblacray 2008-02-18 03:59:07
I though about sewing a sleeve in that area to cover the mast but haven't gotten (a round tuit) that done yet...
Lifetime MemberLanoka Harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/21/2006
Posts: 828
Vette(s): 1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c
john,
i think the difference between the two are as follows:
the cheaper one is a universal antenna and it says it works off the power knob of the radio. it maybe for an aftermarket radio i would suspect as they have a separate wire for antenna. on older cars the power goes in thru the plug which is constant power. if you look at the schematic the antenna has a full time positive and ground and a blue wire that when twelve volts is applied it raises and when taken away it lowers. you could use this one on an older radio but you would have to put a switch in to turn the power on and off to the extra blue wire.
the other is a replacement for original which on older cars used to have something like a window switch to raise and lower them. push one way to raise the other to lower.
you can use the cheaper one as long as you put the switch in. i would rather have that on anyway as you would not have to sit and hold the switch until it raised fully or lowered fully as you would with the other.
i have a similar problem like tux. i bought an electric antenna for my 75 off of ebay just have gotten a round tuit to install it. you should appreciate this one. while cruising thru ebay for corvette parts i came across the electric antenna and it was being sold for about $75.00. hemmed and hawed about buying it and while cruising thru parts for a different make car (one of my caddies), i found the same exact antenna being sold by the same guy for about $32.00 and he even sent an email explaining if you were going to install it on a vette. i bought it at $32.00. some just raise the price because it is a corvette.
by the way, one of the things in the email for hooking it up in a vette was to make sure you added a ground wire to the mounting plate. if i come across the email ( i have it somewhere) and you want it let me know.
eddie20875 2008-02-17 21:06:20
i think the difference between the two are as follows:
the cheaper one is a universal antenna and it says it works off the power knob of the radio. it maybe for an aftermarket radio i would suspect as they have a separate wire for antenna. on older cars the power goes in thru the plug which is constant power. if you look at the schematic the antenna has a full time positive and ground and a blue wire that when twelve volts is applied it raises and when taken away it lowers. you could use this one on an older radio but you would have to put a switch in to turn the power on and off to the extra blue wire.
the other is a replacement for original which on older cars used to have something like a window switch to raise and lower them. push one way to raise the other to lower.
you can use the cheaper one as long as you put the switch in. i would rather have that on anyway as you would not have to sit and hold the switch until it raised fully or lowered fully as you would with the other.
i have a similar problem like tux. i bought an electric antenna for my 75 off of ebay just have gotten a round tuit to install it. you should appreciate this one. while cruising thru ebay for corvette parts i came across the electric antenna and it was being sold for about $75.00. hemmed and hawed about buying it and while cruising thru parts for a different make car (one of my caddies), i found the same exact antenna being sold by the same guy for about $32.00 and he even sent an email explaining if you were going to install it on a vette. i bought it at $32.00. some just raise the price because it is a corvette.
by the way, one of the things in the email for hooking it up in a vette was to make sure you added a ground wire to the mounting plate. if i come across the email ( i have it somewhere) and you want it let me know.
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Thanks for the info guys! I went ahead and took the antenna out and it was in bad shape. The mast is welded in (rust) and the antenna cable was not only permanantly fused to the bottom of the mount, but it was 3/4 shredded. So I went to Mid America Motorworks (yes Adam, I clicked on the link at the top 
) and ordered a new fixed antenna kit.
) and ordered a new fixed antenna kit. My cover (from Wolf) came with two iron-on reinforcement patches for the antenna. I took off the mast, installed the cover. Marked the location of the antenna mount, cut a slit in the cover of the fabric, ironed on the two patches, and the cover fits over the antenna mast.
6880Mike 2008-02-18 11:07:30
FWIW: All stock C3 antennas are fixed height unless the car has the optional power antenna.
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The first link was Ecklers cheaper NONflush antenna. They make another one that will work with the original radio or after market. It is flush mounting. Here is a link to this antenna http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=32891&dept_id=1104
corvette440hp
I got the antenna installed. I just tied the new cable to the frame for now - I'll run it when I do the interior "real soon now".
.
So much better, and the vette can stay covered now.
Btw, have I mentioned how nice it is to have a lift?
in Forum: C3 Body
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