AM radio collapsible antenna - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

burkeens · 11-29-2010, 07:48 PM

My 68 has a collapsible antenna which I am told is original, but the truck came with only a (push-button) AM radio. I don't understand what good an antenna that size would do on AM. I am no expert, but I thought most AM radios, particularly mobile AM radios, used little ferrite rods. Wouldn't an "normal" antenna have to be hundreds of feet long to do any good on AM? What am I missing? Were the antennas just for looks? Thanks.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 11-29-2010, 09:18 PM

We have four trucks with the collapsable antenna on them and reception is good for what few AM stations are in this area.

Jim

burkeens · 11-29-2010, 09:24 PM

Jim,

Have you tried disconnecting the antenna? I have a hunch the reception will be the same.

Legolas894 · 11-29-2010, 10:15 PM

The radio won't receive any broadcasts without the antenna attached. There is no built-in ferrite rod like a transistor radio has. The ferrite rods are unidirectional which wouldn't be too handy in a vehicle that turns corners!

The length of the antenna is more important for transmitters than receivers as I recall. A CB runs in the MHz range and so does FM. The AM band is in the Khz.

11-29-2010, 07:48 PM	#1
burkeens Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 177	AM radio collapsible antenna My 68 has a collapsible antenna which I am told is original, but the truck came with only a (push-button) AM radio. I don't understand what good an antenna that size would do on AM. I am no expert, but I thought most AM radios, particularly mobile AM radios, used little ferrite rods. Wouldn't an "normal" antenna have to be hundreds of feet long to do any good on AM? What am I missing? Were the antennas just for looks? Thanks. Last edited by burkeens; 11-29-2010 at 07:49 PM.

11-29-2010, 09:18 PM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: AM radio collapsible antenna We have four trucks with the collapsable antenna on them and reception is good for what few AM stations are in this area. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

11-29-2010, 09:24 PM	#3
burkeens Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 177	Re: AM radio collapsible antenna Jim, Have you tried disconnecting the antenna? I have a hunch the reception will be the same.

11-29-2010, 10:15 PM	#4
Legolas894 Chemist under the hood... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fort Erie,ON, Canada Posts: 617	Re: AM radio collapsible antenna The radio won't receive any broadcasts without the antenna attached. There is no built-in ferrite rod like a transistor radio has. The ferrite rods are unidirectional which wouldn't be too handy in a vehicle that turns corners! The length of the antenna is more important for transmitters than receivers as I recall. A CB runs in the MHz range and so does FM. The AM band is in the Khz. __________________ Current fleet: 2013 GMC Sierra, 5.3L, 4x4 1988 GMC Sierra, 305, Auto 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 360 V8 1997 VW Cabrio, 2.0L 2017 Toyota Rav4, 2.5L Stuff I wish I still had: 2013 Toyota Matrix [RIP] 1967 GMC 910 Fleetside, 283 V8 [1st Love-SOLD] 1987 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4X4, 4.0 I-6 [SOLD} 1994 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, 5.7LV8 [SOLD] 1995 Chevrolet Astro AWD, 4.3L V6 (RIP) 1998 Chevrolet Suburban 4x4, 5.7L V8 [SOLD]



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