A different antenna question

[davepl]

On cars, like Camaros, if you got an FM radio the car would ship with a fixed-length antenna. Due to the way FM works, apparently the frequency modulation works best that way.

So if you see your millionth Camaro with an FM radio check the antenna, now you know if it was originally equipped with one.

Problem is I've seen FM radios in our trucks but I've never seen a fixed-mast antenna on a truck.

Did they not use it? Or is it just a detail that most people who add FM don't correct so that I've never seen it done right (including me)?

Put more simply, did the factory use a fixed-mast antenna if you ordered the FM radio?

[FirstOwner69]

Here's a link to a recent thread where we discussed this. The key is the 31" mast length which is optimal for FM reception.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=694682

Jim

[davepl]

I saw that, but I came away from that thread knowing a fixed mast antenna is best for FM but still unsure if the factory ever shipped trucks with them.

It talks about using a car repro one, but people disagree on whether or not they ever shipped them on FM trucks 67-72, at least as I read it.

So I still don't know if the factory ever did it...

I do, however, see one person said this, but there's no corroboration or explanation. If true, it answers the question:

"71's with AM FM radios did have fixed masks, AM had telescoping."

[joecaruso]

when I originally bought my 70 c10 it had the original AM radio and a fixed antenna. When I switched over to an FM radio I used all the stock antenna equipment and just plugged directly into the new radio.

[geunther]

Sorry for hijack, but for correctness, AM equipped trucks should have expandable antennas?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by geunther

sorry for hijack, but for correctness, am equipped trucks should have expandable antennas?

Nope, though I can't speak for other than a 1971-72........Apparently GM began to switch to telescoping for AM radios, I believe sometime around 1970-71. But it likely depended on factory availability of parts. Unless someone can point out my error, both a fixed and telescoping mast are correct for 71-72 AM radios.

Poll is a great way to get these kind of answers: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=695051

[tdangle]

My 70 had a fixed length antenna with a AM radio from the factory

[special-K]

Pretty much all my trucks have come with fixed mast antenna, whether AM or AM/FM. I have mostly had 70-72s and those are what I am remembering most. That was the standard antenna and the spring one was an accessory. Most of those you see were added on after the original broke or bent. I put spring mounted antennae on anything I had that needed one for the unbreakable feature. They were very popular. In fact, there were replacement masts made to slip over the stub of a broken antenna so you didn't have to mess with mounting/cable/etc.
For trucks with campers, GM offered a fender mount. My all original '71 Custom Camper came with AM radio/31" solid mast and it rubbed on the front of the camper overhang. In fact, it sat flexed forward. If they came with telescoping mast you could just lower it, no need for special antenna drilled into fender