Converting to power antenna

[MaineShark]

Has anyone converted a fixed-mast car over to power antenna?

If so, how difficult was is?

And, what parts do I need to order?

Also, I'm going to go with the CB unit. I've seen a "CB filter" listed by some catalogs. Is this something I need to buy, or will it be included with the power antenna assembly?

Lastly, I was planning on ordering the power antenna unit from Mid-America. Has anyone ordered this from them before? If so, was the quality there?

Joe

 

[69MyWay]

I put a power antenna on Killer from the local auto parts store. The new aftermarket units are more and more like OEM from the sound of the motor, to up and down action etc.

Mine was about $30 or $40. It came with great instructions, and plenty of cable, etc.

Basically, I fit it to the open space, bent, formed, cut and mounted the lower support straps with stainless bolts. It needs to have power all the time, a ground, and the signal from the stereo that tells it to go up and down. The relays are built in.

Depending on your stereo unit, it may have a cool feature like mine so that when the CD is playing it drops the antenna.

Total install time was under an hour, but I already had pre-planned for this when installing the new wire harness in the car and I included wires running back to the unit.

You will need to pull up some carpet and trim to get the wires in place, and the rest will be cake.

Have fun!

 

[silver 80]

I take it you have already found a stock radio sense you are going with a CB unit? If not try and find the radio first if a stock unit is what you are looking for.
just my .02 but MAD is way over priced for their parts, you should do some shopping around. look into The Last Detail their prices are good and the quality is very good. just an example I need a radiator core support . Did some shopping and here is what I found.
MAD=$379.99
ZIP =$349.00
RIK's=$369.95
C/C =$339.00
TLD =$307.00
Now where do you think these other vendors get their product?
But back to your radio you'll need a relay that sits under the shifter console your wiring should already be there for the relay, I think that you'll need to get the extension from the relay to the antenea, it runs along the antenea cable you could check to see if it's there. I hope that your wiring hasn't been cut like mine was at the radio that the last owner did to put in some POS radio.
good luck in your project. I have an 80 service man it should be close to the 79 if you need any help just ask.
tom

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-Yes, Silver80 has it right, maybe he will copy and E-mail you those few pertinent pages from his '80/Factory-manual. Also might add, that if you find an outwardly straight early C3/elect.-antenna that won't work, -buy it cheap and install a $20/Repair-kit! The plastic drive-cable (about 3/32"-diam.) breaks, -and thus the dp/dt-switching circuit inside the antenna-housing (adjacent the motor) is deactivated. The internal-switch functions to automatically shut-off the antenna-motor upon its reaching full-up/down. Instead of the kit, I just went to HomeDumpo-hardware and bought a 4-ft length of their smallest clear-plastic clad steel-cable, and used silver-solder(only, for needed strength) and an electric/soldering-gun, --and made a drive-cable that will last permanently. Just remember that the antenna-section cannot be grounded anywhere to the antenna-housing, as that would loose the incomming RF-signal into your chassis (instead of into your radio's preamp... -B.B.
:confused :TALK

 

[MaineShark]

I've checked a bit, and MAD is the only one I see listing the CB antenna. I'll check again, but I don't recall seeing it in any other catalogs.

As far as I know, my car originally came with a manual antenna, so I'm going to need to install all of the power antenna components.

Joe

 

[Tifton81]

Power Antenna

I just replaced the original power antenna today with an after market power antenna. It was tough getting to it. I had to remove the rear muffler, enter the back left speaker area to disconnect the wiring and then struggle to get the supports in place for the new unit. An amazing six hour job! I realize that you must have a lift to work on these sharks.

Good Luck!

Tifton81;help

 

[81C3]

Is there a particular model of antenna that is recommended?
I'm thinking of doing this to my 81 too. Glad to hear it only takes anywhere from 2 to 6 hrs:Twist

 

[Tifton81]

Power Antenna

I don't consider myself the expert. I have only been a member for just over a month and I'm glad to have found this site. There is so much information and knowledge from these corvette owners. As for the antenna, I purchased a replacement model from a local dealer. I'm sure there are all sorts of models available. Maybe one of the Corvette God's can give a better response. Good Luck.

Wiley

 

[MaineShark]

Oops, just cheked the catalogs, and it was Corvette Central, not Mid-America, that had the power antenna with CB.

So, does anyone know what parts I need to order?

Joe

 

[silver 80]

your going to need the relay that sits under the shifter console, a radio that will go with the antenea. check to see if you have the wiring harness it should be there the one that goes back to the antenea. it runs along the antenea cable, by the rear speakers.
that's all I can think of.
tom