Author Topic: Retracting antennae  (Read 5177 times)

Offline msbaugh

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Re: Retracting antennae
« Reply #15 on: August 03, 2012 - 10:27:16 AM »
I love how the T/A's had them on the rear... I also like the retracting idea, unfortunately I don't need anything else that will probably eventually break.  Those late 70's power options never seemed to work for very long in my experiences.




Offline shadango

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Re: Retracting antennae
« Reply #16 on: August 03, 2012 - 11:38:21 AM »
I love how the T/A's had them on the rear... I also like the retracting idea, unfortunately I don't need anything else that will probably eventually break.  Those late 70's power options never seemed to work for very long in my experiences.

Thats why I went with a (newer design) aftermarket.

The masts can be changed without removing the whole thing, and they can be lowered/raised manualy if needed.

Of course, it is probably made in china like everything else now, so I guess we will see...

Offline brads70

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Re: Retracting antennae
« Reply #17 on: August 03, 2012 - 01:55:09 PM »
The aftermarket power antenna I just picked up has 5 different angled bases to work with whatever angle there is....plus I guess a flat one....so hopefully one of them work!

Will post pics once i git er done!

Can you take some pictures of what you bought before you install it? Where did you get it? part numbers? Link?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline shadango

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Re: Retracting antennae
« Reply #18 on: August 03, 2012 - 06:55:21 PM »
C  R A P!!!!!     :poopoke:

Sorry, neglected to take the pics before....I took a few after.  And I will run out and get one of the
inside" look at it if I can.

It wasnt a text book perfect install -- the bracket they give you for the backside of the fender was too small for my fender's hole...so I took a big flat fender washer that is just big enough and cut the hole out to be an oblong rectangle to fit the bracket, effectively making it wider......I wasnt sure if it would work or not.....but it seems to be holding great!

I also used the included strap to attach the bottom of the motor to the body of the car.....

I used the flat piece they provided instead of the 3 degree angle deal just cause I think its fine as-is.  Looking at it now that its done, if you look really hard you can see the base is a little crooked, tilted down to the inside of the fender....but you hae to look hard.   

The mast, when extended is higher than the other I had, and it is certainly thicker since it is retractable......If you like the very slim or short ones on some cars, this wont be for you....But I think it looks good on the car and IMHO looks about the same as the black one I had before (a manual half-retractable)......except it is stainless steel color.

I am happy as-is.

i should have taken pictures before putting it back together.... :banghead:
Now you see it, now you don't!!!   :)
« Last Edit: August 03, 2012 - 07:10:05 PM by shadango »

Offline shadango

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Re: Retracting antennae
« Reply #19 on: August 03, 2012 - 07:04:48 PM »
Here are some pics of the packaging...bought it at Autozone.  $60, and I had $25 credit so $40 otd.    :droolingbounce:

I know its juvenile, but watching that thing go up and down on command makes me giggle!  LOL :bigsmile:


Offline brads70

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Re: Retracting antennae
« Reply #20 on: August 03, 2012 - 08:02:04 PM »
Here are some pics of the packaging...bought it at Autozone.  $60, and I had $25 credit so $40 otd.    :droolingbounce:

I know its juvenile, but watching that thing go up and down on command makes me giggle!  LOL :bigsmile:

Ah you installed it already! Did it fit good in the front fender? Was the wiring easy?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline shadango

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Re: Retracting antennae
« Reply #21 on: August 04, 2012 - 01:08:33 AM »
Brad --  wiring couldnt be simpler ........... three wires....a black ground that I connected right in the fender....a red wire that tapped into an ignition-acitvated 12v....and a blue that connects to the blue   or blue/white (antennae or amp trigger wire) on your stereo....   it fit inside the fender fine....just had to turn it the right way to center it in the hole correctly.

Rob -- I dont now how common chrysler electric antennaes are.....While I am sure one could find an original looking one with enough searching, I figured it would be probably $30-40 for one in  yard anyways......add to that the cost of gas to run around looking and then the idea that you may get a bum used one, let alone the possibility of NOT finding one after all that, and an aftermarket one seemed like a good alternative to me, especially when I could just walk into one store, plunk down the cash and be done......."immediate gratification"...LOL   :bigsmile:    I had looked the whole time I was at Carlisle and found NOTHING......so I figured that if I couldnt find a Chrysler electric antenna at a Chrysler swap meet of that size, it might be just as hard to find a good one that would WORK in the 3 or 4 yards that are within decent mileage of me.   I think it looks fine, if not stock.  My car is no where near "correct" so I am fine with it.

Offline ShelbyDogg

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Re: Retracting antennae
« Reply #22 on: August 04, 2012 - 11:16:35 AM »
That doesn't look bad.  It has a nice flat base unlike the older ones I've seen. I would try to incorporate my old chrome fender bezel to make it look stock.

Nice having a power antenna if you use a car cover.  My friend leaves his stock antenna mast loose so he can take it off by hand all the time, to put on his cover.

You might want to hook it to a constant 12v supply or it will stop when you turn off the key, and not go all the way down.


Rob

3 E-bodies, Megasquirt-1v3.0, Edelbrock Pro-Flo-1, Holley C950, FAST EZ-EFI; say no to carbs...yes to throttle bodies

My Pace Car restoration thread:
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=44869.0


Offline shadango

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Re: Retracting antennae
« Reply #23 on: August 04, 2012 - 01:57:53 PM »
You might want to hook it to a constant 12v supply or it will stop when you turn off the key, and not go all the way down.

Thats exactly what it does, but thats ok.....I just turn the radio off before I shut her down....usually do that anyways.  Just have to give it an extra 3 seconds or so.....

I still giggle each time it goes up or down....LOL