Fender antenna debacle

[bucket]

Does anyone know why some antenna masts have a wire wrapped around the length of the mast?

I know....

Or why there's a little ball at the end?

 

[bucket]

Does anyone even listen to AM/FM any more? I can't recall the last time I did. Maybe 15 years ago.

For my restoration I bought a Delco original radio that was modified with Bluetooth. I can stream from my phone. For my needs this is perfect. I want to listen to something but do not want to hack my dash up to fit a modern radio. Retro sound was the other option.

Spend the time/money and close up that hole. Install the windshield antenna and not have to worry about a whip antenna.

Power antennas are good when they are working. They need maintenance and do not flex at all. In my early career, 1980s, replacement masts were a regular repair. Also you need to clean the mast from grime that builds up.

I listen to FM every day, often most of the day. I often listen to an AM station as well.

 

[bucket]

Factory 89 Blazer fender showing antenna and with bezel removed. Truck was all original, except for the repaint to dark blue when it was wrecked on the driver’s side.

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Bezel removed showing mounting screws

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Fender is NOT reinforced for mount, but didn’t verify the fender on my 88 CC.

Where cable came out of fender

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Also shows hole at rear of fender where the OP’s antenna is mounted, and probably where cable came thru fender. Hole is also on a removed fender I have from an 84.

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Pull the three mounting screws. Iirc, there's a backer plate spot welded to the skin. I've got three of those fenders, but haven't looked at them in a while.

There's a chance I might just be remembering the Celebrity fenders though, lol.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Or why there's a little ball at the end?

So the Union 76 balls will stay on, of course

 

[Turbo4whl]

Or why there's a little ball at the end?

Key Reasons for Antenna Balls:

• Static Dissipation: Under certain humidity conditions, the antenna builds up static electricity, similar to helicopter rotors. The ball helps discharge this static into the airflow, resulting in cleaner radio reception.
• Safety and Protection: For long whip antennas, a tennis ball or soft topper acts as a bumper to protect the antenna, car, or surroundings (like garage doors) from damage when the antenna whips around.
• Stability: The added weight can help minimize the bobbing movement of long antennas.

The antennas for transmitting, like a CB, the ball gives a clean exit for radio transmit. On a transmission, the wave is following the antenna, like a wave, not actually on it. A 1/4 wave whip or base loaded antenna, the wave is off the antenna until the ball tip.

On a full wave antenna, the signal wave crosses the antenna, then back across to the other side, then off the tip. (One full wave)

Does this make any sense? I'm not a teacher.

(l
.l)
(l
.l)

 

[bucket]

Key Reasons for Antenna Balls:

• Static Dissipation: Under certain humidity conditions, the antenna builds up static electricity, similar to helicopter rotors. The ball helps discharge this static into the airflow, resulting in cleaner radio reception.
• Safety and Protection: For long whip antennas, a tennis ball or soft topper acts as a bumper to protect the antenna, car, or surroundings (like garage doors) from damage when the antenna whips around.
• Stability: The added weight can help minimize the bobbing movement of long antennas.

The antennas for transmitting, like a CB, the ball gives a clean exit for radio transmit. On a transmission, the wave is following the antenna, like a wave, not actually on it. A 1/4 wave whip or base loaded antenna, the wave is off the antenna until the ball tip.

On a full wave antenna, the signal wave crosses the antenna, then back across to the other side, then off the tip. (One full wave)

Does this make any sense? I'm not a teacher.

(l
.l)
(l
.l)

Woah, that's way more than I knew about. I thought it was simply for safety, so you don't poke your eye out.

As for the ones with the wire wrapped around them though, I kind of remember a difference while driving in heavy fog or very light drizzle. A smooth antenna can sometimes vibrate in the middle as you drive at highway speeds. I believe the wire wrapped ones tend not to do that.

 

[Rusty Nail]

i think maybe i have a brand new antenna (i bought but never installed) intended for a fender hole in an old 88 K5 i used to own.
i'm sure it may be great.
i bet it won't be hard to find in the stash o'parts either.

stand by
i'm at work

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[Craig Nedrow]

So the Union 76 balls will stay on, of course

Please keep the balls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[Grit dog]

@edgephoto had the best response in 3 pages of replies.
Fix the hole, slap in an antenna windshield and a new cord for it.
Cheap and easy and not even double work since the windshield should certainly be removed before paint.
Less than $150 fixes the antenna issue.
2 hours of body work fixes the gaping hole in the fender.

 

[Rusty Nail]

well, i went lookin for it a little bit. yesterday i forgot but today i remembered.
turns out it is not as easy to find as once anticipated but i am now more convinced than ever that it exists.
i looked it one,two,three places I remember it being but am unable to determine why it was moved.

and i kept lookin a little bit and then I saw it!
it's on the other side of the Camaro- hold on itll will take a minute to get over there...

aw ****. it was a Borg Warner brake line...it's out there somewhere. brand new in the pack!
i'll find it!
i hope it's what u want- i posted that picture because you can see the antenna it was intended to replace. it's more substantial than that follow the windshield deal
or better. in some form.


*edit*
i think i remembered where it is

 

[Fat 454]

I still have a valve radio in my old bug.

Only picks up radio Luxembourg tho ...

 

[Turbo4whl]

I still have a valve radio in my old bug.

Only picks up radio Luxembourg tho ...

I had a tube radio in my '64 Caddie, it also had the wonder bar tuning!

 

[YakkoWarner]

I still listen to FM when I don't feel like hooking up a player to the AUX plug and such....cannot recall the last time i intentionally switched it to AM (sometimes hit the button by mistake and then flip right back to FM). I like to listen to music while driving, and the AM side here is all talk radio (political or otherwise), so it gets ignored.

 

[Turbo4whl]

I still listen to FM when I don't feel like hooking up a player to the AUX plug and such....cannot recall the last time i intentionally switched it to AM (sometimes hit the button by mistake and then flip right back to FM). I like to listen to music while driving, and the AM side here is all talk radio (political or otherwise), so it gets ignored.

You would not like the wonder bar radio in the Caddie as it was only AM.

 

[Rusty Nail]

this is the thing I was looking for.
looks like a new "follow the windshield" antenna.
16" tall
worth a shot.
base is 1.5"
good luck moving forward

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