AM/FM Antenna??????? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**DANTIP** · 03-01-2008, 10:33 PM

My truck came with a factory AM/FM radio but the antenna is the collapsable mast. I thought the AM/FM may have used a solid mast. Anyone know for sure?? WHy aren't radio/antenna parts in the factory parts books??

**special-K** · 03-02-2008, 07:09 AM

Good question about why not in parts books???I believe the FM antennea was solid 31".

463 · 03-02-2008, 07:17 AM

my am is a 3 peice and i have seen the solid 1 peice used on the am radios

BurnoutNova · 03-02-2008, 07:38 AM

do they peform diffrently? i am going to put a factory AM/FM in my 71 K10 soon, and i wondered if there was a diffrence in the antennas

71 super · 03-02-2008, 08:27 AM

My 71 super is factory AM/FM and it has as solid mast ant. on it, close friend has a 72 Custom deluxe w/ factory Am/Fm and it also had the solid mast ant. hope this helps

BurnoutNova · 03-02-2008, 08:54 AM

i guess i'll put the solid one on there. one of my friends has been nagging me to give them the colapsable one anyway

corn · 03-02-2008, 11:23 AM

Thought they were all the same.

**special-K** · 03-02-2008, 04:17 PM

I don`t know why it seems to be different now.But,back in the day the rule was an FM radio required a 31" mast.That may be why they were "fixed".I say this,then I`ll prolly measure one and it won`t be 31".I never checked,but that was the "rule".I understand nothing about frequence waves...totally baffles me.

ChevLoRay · 03-02-2008, 04:28 PM

Adjustable antennas allowed us to "tune" them for the most distant stations. When FM came into being in our vehicles, the masts were fixed-length due to the characteristics of FM. FM stands for Frequency Modulated, meaning the broadcast frequency is, well, modulated. It simply means the signal is consistent in its frequency, affording a more precise source of sound. It's why we could get stereo in our vehicles.

The original antennas are not fixed-length. Fixed-length didn't happen until the mid-70's. But they have been used many times. If you want a stock antenna, it will be adjustable. If you want a fixed-length antenna, it won't be "stock". I think original replacement antennas are a bit pricier than aftermarket items. It's all in what you want.

the_goat · 04-19-2008, 06:48 PM

Could anyone recommend an easy, cheap antenna? Not trying to jack the thread.
Thanks

Olden Days · 04-19-2008, 07:07 PM

http://www.classicheartbeat.com/stereos2.htm

Classic heartbeat has them. look at the bottom of the page. he has a fixed am/fm and a telescoping am/fm.

HuggerCST · 04-19-2008, 07:41 PM

This is a antenna from a '90 full sized chevrolet van. Looks factory, and the fit is pretty good too.

Mint68 · 04-19-2008, 09:34 PM

I dont have a solid mast with my am/fm. I never have problems with reception and it works just fine. I was told am/fm only used solid, but mine is working just fine.

**special-K** · 04-21-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

The original antennas are not fixed-length. Fixed-length didn't happen until the mid-70's. But they have been used many times. If you want a stock antenna, it will be adjustable. If you want a fixed-length antenna, it won't be "stock". I think original replacement antennas are a bit pricier than aftermarket items. It's all in what you want.

Sorry,gotta beg to differ there,my friend.All the factory trucks Ive had were fixed length and all the N.O.S. ones I`ve bought were fixed length.
Adjustable shafts are an AM thing and ever since FM have been offered so have solid masts.

Also,I just went out and measure the N.O.S. antennea I have and it does measure 31" to the base.I guess my memory still works a little anyway.

Ol'Rover · 04-21-2008, 03:57 PM

my Antenna is at the back of the cab on the passengerside behinde the door, not sure if its orrigional... But it is colapsing aswell.

ChevLoRay · 04-21-2008, 03:58 PM

Okay, you win. I was basing my comments on having worked on vehicles and installing "stuff" in the mid-70's. The solid, fixed-length antennae were touted as best for FM reception due to the fixed lengths' characteristic of receiving the 88-108MC (MHz) frequency. Adjustable antennas were tuned to receive the strongest signal, and done so via a tuning screw adjustment behind the tuning knob of the AM radios. The longer the antenna, the better the AM reception.

I won't argue with facts, and some of my comments are based on experience and memory....which can become clouded over time.

As long as the antenna one chooses receives the signals that one wants to hear, what difference does it make if the antenna is one-piece, adjustable or hidden?

03-01-2008, 10:33 PM	#1
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,880	AM/FM Antenna??????? My truck came with a factory AM/FM radio but the antenna is the collapsable mast. I thought the AM/FM may have used a solid mast. Anyone know for sure?? WHy aren't radio/antenna parts in the factory parts books??

03-02-2008, 07:09 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? Good question about why not in parts books???I believe the FM antennea was solid 31". __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-02-2008, 07:17 AM	#3
463 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sask Canada Posts: 1,666	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? my am is a 3 peice and i have seen the solid 1 peice used on the am radios

03-02-2008, 07:38 AM	#4
BurnoutNova Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,057	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? do they peform diffrently? i am going to put a factory AM/FM in my 71 K10 soon, and i wondered if there was a diffrence in the antennas

03-02-2008, 08:27 AM	#5
71 super Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canton North carolina Posts: 3,078	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? My 71 super is factory AM/FM and it has as solid mast ant. on it, close friend has a 72 Custom deluxe w/ factory Am/Fm and it also had the solid mast ant. hope this helps

03-02-2008, 08:54 AM	#6
BurnoutNova Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,057	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? i guess i'll put the solid one on there. one of my friends has been nagging me to give them the colapsable one anyway

03-02-2008, 11:23 AM	#7
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? Thought they were all the same.

03-02-2008, 04:17 PM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? I don`t know why it seems to be different now.But,back in the day the rule was an FM radio required a 31" mast.That may be why they were "fixed".I say this,then I`ll prolly measure one and it won`t be 31".I never checked,but that was the "rule".I understand nothing about frequence waves...totally baffles me. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-02-2008, 04:28 PM	#9
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? Adjustable antennas allowed us to "tune" them for the most distant stations. When FM came into being in our vehicles, the masts were fixed-length due to the characteristics of FM. FM stands for Frequency Modulated, meaning the broadcast frequency is, well, modulated. It simply means the signal is consistent in its frequency, affording a more precise source of sound. It's why we could get stereo in our vehicles. The original antennas are not fixed-length. Fixed-length didn't happen until the mid-70's. But they have been used many times. If you want a stock antenna, it will be adjustable. If you want a fixed-length antenna, it won't be "stock". I think original replacement antennas are a bit pricier than aftermarket items. It's all in what you want. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

04-19-2008, 06:48 PM	#10
the_goat Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 385	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? Could anyone recommend an easy, cheap antenna? Not trying to jack the thread. Thanks

04-19-2008, 07:07 PM	#11
Olden Days Living In The Past Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rockies Posts: 709	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? http://www.classicheartbeat.com/stereos2.htm Classic heartbeat has them. look at the bottom of the page. he has a fixed am/fm and a telescoping am/fm.

04-19-2008, 07:41 PM	#12
HuggerCST Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Louisiana Posts: 4,501	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? This is a antenna from a '90 full sized chevrolet van. Looks factory, and the fit is pretty good too. Attached Images __________________ Wynne 70 CST short fleet Hugger orange & white, 350/350, ps, pb, air, tilt, tach/vac/speedwarning, original buckets, AM/FM, oak bed floor, shoulder belts, 3.5"/5.5" drop, 20" American Racing VN425s. Build thread 53 Chevy shortbed 69 Camaro Click here to subscribe Chevy GMC International Truck Club Louisiana Charter Member http://www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com

04-19-2008, 09:34 PM	#13
Mint68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Nebraska Posts: 762	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? I dont have a solid mast with my am/fm. I never have problems with reception and it works just fine. I was told am/fm only used solid, but mine is working just fine.

04-21-2008, 03:57 PM	#15
Ol'Rover Project: years too late. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Almonte,ON,Canada Posts: 550	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? my Antenna is at the back of the cab on the passengerside behinde the door, not sure if its orrigional... But it is colapsing aswell. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepper LSX 5.3/4L60E 3.73 12bolt posi. Father Son Project. In Memory of Bruce C. Shorten. Rest easy Dad. Ill take it fryom here.

04-21-2008, 03:58 PM	#16
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: AM/FM Antenna??????? Okay, you win. I was basing my comments on having worked on vehicles and installing "stuff" in the mid-70's. The solid, fixed-length antennae were touted as best for FM reception due to the fixed lengths' characteristic of receiving the 88-108MC (MHz) frequency. Adjustable antennas were tuned to receive the strongest signal, and done so via a tuning screw adjustment behind the tuning knob of the AM radios. The longer the antenna, the better the AM reception. I won't argue with facts, and some of my comments are based on experience and memory....which can become clouded over time. As long as the antenna one chooses receives the signals that one wants to hear, what difference does it make if the antenna is one-piece, adjustable or hidden? __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.



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