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Am Radio Antenna Ideas?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by John Gedde, Apr 25, 2021.

  1. Apr 25, 2021
    John Gedde

    John Gedde Been around the block once or twice...

    Middle Island, NY
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    As my '69 is close to completion and I drive it around, I miss having my local Am new station playing. I have a period AM radio which I've electrically and mechanically restored and I plan on installing it under the dash (it has an internal speaker). Under the dash so as to NOT drill openings in an otherwise pristine example of an unmolested dash panel.

    My question is what to use as an antenna? I don't relish the idea of drilling holes in the fender or the body for a '76-up style antenna. Plus, my Jeep never had a radio, so antenna holes would be not original to it (yes it has original, i.e. period, modifications that my Grandfather did, but those I've kept as memorial). My best option so far that I've thought of is mounting an antenna thru the spare tire carrier (which is a repro) and putting the antenna back there...

    John
     
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  2. Apr 25, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    i've got a spot on the drivers side of the cowl where i believe an antenna was mounted, dunno if that carries over to '69
     
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  3. Apr 25, 2021
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    That was a common area to add an antenna back then.
     
  4. Apr 25, 2021
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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  5. Apr 25, 2021
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    If you don't want to drill a hole in the body that's cool, I like the idea of mounting it to the spare tire carrier. I do like the antenna that Ron shows, looks perfect on there.
     
  6. Apr 25, 2021
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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  7. Apr 25, 2021
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    As far as period correct, there were definitely antennas available. In '68 I had a '61 Willys wagon that had an antenna mounted on the driver's side cowl.
     
  8. Apr 25, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    AM is really long wavelength (300-600 M), so the longer you make your antenna, the better. I used a long wire (ca 30') from my window to the closest telephone pole to DX AM back around 1964. I could receive east coast stations from California. Also the Mexican blasters - the big XERB baby! XERB Radio 1090 - Wolfman Jack - Southern California Giant - Los Angeles



    The dealership would drill a hole in the curved part of the cowl and install your typical 36" whip antenna. The body steel is a ground plane, with the whip above it.
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2021
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  9. Apr 25, 2021
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    My '67 had a radio installed in the dash by the original owner around 1969. Since it was part of the history of the vehicle, I decided to keep a radio there when I restored the body, but likewise didn't want a hole in the cowl to mount the antenna.

    I attached a vintage-type spring base antenna to the passenger side vertical roll bar post using a 2" light mount, and ran the cable through a piece of 1/2" ID fabric loom tucked into the groove under the lip of the tub, which can be seen in the second photo below.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2021
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  10. Apr 25, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I used a 102" whip antenna on my '73. It received AM and FM well, as I recall (KROQ 106.7). Should work great for AM. Usual use is ham radio... worked well for the broadcast bands.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2021
  11. Apr 25, 2021
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    I used a under the dash radio antenna.
     
  12. Apr 26, 2021
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I put a power peel and stick on windshield antenna inside on my Jeep. It works well for FM, not sure about AM?
     
  13. Apr 26, 2021
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Same ball and spring antenna I used. I had a vintage Jeepster AM radio, but when I got the new dash panel, sold the radio. Still have the antenna though :D
     
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  14. Apr 27, 2021
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I have an old school side mount antenna if anyone wants it, mounts on the side of the cowl. PM me.
     
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