Telescoping Antenna

[lakeholme]

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=10918.0;all

So, did the telescoping antenna fully extend to a height of 30 inches?
Did it have the same ball tip/
Does anyone have a picture?

[Steve Shauger]

On AM you adjust the antenna height so that you tune the RF circuit. This helps optimize reception for the mixer-oscillator stage. Since the FM antenna is fixed height, you optimize/tune the am signal with a trimming pot on the radio itself. Usually there is a label noting "trimming pot" with an access hole located on the radio case.

[JohnZ]

The AM telescoping antenna isn't round - it's an aerodynamic shape, like a wing, including the tip; fully extended it's 46" long, and collapsed it's 18" long. Photo below.

[lakeholme]

Thanks, John! That's exactly what I was trying to confirm.

[Steve Shauger]

Yes the AM antenna mast is elliptical. Just a note, I've seen original cars come with the tip lined and without a line. There was discussion that the replacement antennas did not have the line on the tip, but believe they came both ways.  The attached pic shows 3 old antennas I collected over the years with plenty of patina. The middle one has the lined tip.

[lakeholme]

Paceme, thanks for the pic.

So was the base the same for both fixed and telescoping?

[Steve Shauger]

Yes

[Rick68]

I have an antenna I bought years ago that is oval/elliptical shaped except for the very last section that extends.That part is round with a ball tip.Someone told me that it is off a Pontiac Firebird or is it a service replacement or an aftermarket antenna?

[JohnZ]

Yes the AM antenna mast is elliptical. Just a note, I've seen original cars come with the tip lined and without a line. There was discussion that the replacement antennas did not have the line on the tip, but believe they came both ways. 

I tend to agree with that - the AM antenna that came with my car appears to be the original (like virtually everything else is), and it doesn't have the little line in the tip.

[z28z11]

My original is lined, as are the 4 examples of NOS adjustable masts in the pics that follow. 3 are '69's, 1 is a '68, and the 5th mast (at the top, barely visible) is an NOS AM/FM. The '68 mast is exactly .375" shorter in overall length, plus the mount is threaded rather than a splined fit.

These are/were in original GM packaging purchased from GM dealers - 100% positive they are NOS GM.

'69's are 19.375 OAL, '68 is 19.00" OAL. AM/FM fixed mast is 31.500 OAL.

Regards,
Steve

[1967RS/SS]

Don't know if my antenna is original to my 67 but here are a couple pics of my AM rear antenna tip and base

[lakeholme]

I'd be interested in knowing if 1967RS/SS's tip is a replacement or original? I've seen several of those "screw tips" on a variety of cars.

[bertfam]

I'd be interested in knowing if 1967RS/SS's tip is a replacement or original? I've seen several of those "screw tips" on a variety of cars.

That's an aftermarket antenna.

Ed

[lakeholme]

Thanks, Ed. Do you know any details?

[bertfam]

I'm not sure what you mean by details Phil.

Ed