|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6
ChatMaster - 2,000
|
OP
ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6 |
I have always thought why in the world did they mount radio antennas under the car body, in the mid thirties. It seems like the worst place to pick up a radio signal. Here is an explanation in the Dec 1935 issue of Radio World. Radio World Article
Last edited by old216; 12/14/13 03:50 PM.
My 1951 1 Ton is now on the road! My 38 Master 4 Door is also now on the road .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,046 Likes: 107
Hall Monitor ChatMaster - 7,000
|
Hall Monitor ChatMaster - 7,000
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,046 Likes: 107 |
That's pretty cool. Do you have the complete article?
VCCA Member 43216 Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. 1938 HB Business Coupe 1953 210 Sedan
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6
ChatMaster - 2,000
|
OP
ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6 |
Tiny, thanks. The rest of the article is about antennas in general but the discussion of the underbody auto antenna is contained in those two pages. If you would like to see the whole article I can scan it and send it to you by Email.
My 1951 1 Ton is now on the road! My 38 Master 4 Door is also now on the road .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,046 Likes: 107
Hall Monitor ChatMaster - 7,000
|
Hall Monitor ChatMaster - 7,000
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,046 Likes: 107 |
Cool, that would be great, thanks. tiny@sutv.com
VCCA Member 43216 Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. 1938 HB Business Coupe 1953 210 Sedan
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
|
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
Suddenly in 1939 they decided that a cowl mounted whip antenna was OK after all. What was the first car/year to have a whip antenna? I believe Ford had a rood mounted antenna in 1937. Was above the center of the windshield and set at an angle and could be turned down to run along the windshield center devider if desired. Buick used this arangement for many years. The 1990 and 1991 GM dust buster plastic bodied minivans had a sheet of copper under the roof panel - same idea as the non steel top GM cars had chicken wire under the top insert pad.
Gene Schneider
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6
ChatMaster - 2,000
|
OP
ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6 |
Thanks for those historical bits. The one about the van is really fascinating. I understand that some of the earlier windshield antenna designs weren't the best.
My 1951 1 Ton is now on the road! My 38 Master 4 Door is also now on the road .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,046 Likes: 107
Hall Monitor ChatMaster - 7,000
|
Hall Monitor ChatMaster - 7,000
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,046 Likes: 107 |
Got your email. Great article. It's going into my archive.
VCCA Member 43216 Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. 1938 HB Business Coupe 1953 210 Sedan
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,441
ChatMaster - 1,000
|
ChatMaster - 1,000
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,441 |
Do those under the body antennas really work,I really do not want to drill holes in my 37 p/u but could use a better antenna then one stuck in the a pillar. I was thinking of mounting a pair of antennas under the running boards and see how they do.
VCCA #45194
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6
ChatMaster - 2,000
|
OP
ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6 |
That is what they used so they must work. However, l would think that the signal level underneath the car is not optimal.
My 1951 1 Ton is now on the road! My 38 Master 4 Door is also now on the road .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,689 Likes: 21
ChatMaster - 6,000
|
ChatMaster - 6,000
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,689 Likes: 21 |
I sure didn't know there was a reception issue that caused the antenna to be located underneath the running board. Seems from the article that there was a "gain" problem caused by the engine's ignition. Guess the problem was solved by 1939. Was that owing to the change in location of the radio? Anyway, I sure do appreciate the article explaining that there was a real need for the positioning of those antenna underneath the car. I had thought that it was owing solely to the fact that those car were so sleek looking that an aerial a-sticking up would take away from their aerodynamic style. You know, kinda like those "door guard chrome beads" that destroyed the blend of the door's edge to the rest of the car. Just awful. Many thanks to Old216 for posting the informative article. Charlie BTW: I could be wrong about the "sleek" and "aerodynamic" part.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6
ChatMaster - 2,000
|
OP
ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6 |
Thanks, I don't know what is up with Photo Bucket but it shows my pictures as tiny little ones, most of the time so I am looking for another hosting site.
The problem with the antenna placement was as follows. The old chicken wire in the roof worked fairly well. However the famous turret top came along. Radios had advanced with enhanced sensitivity to pick up weak stations. The new problem was picking up ignition noise. Putting the antenna underneath seems to be a solution. I think the design of the car body evolved to the point where the ignition wasn't a big problem and external antennas worked well.
My 1951 1 Ton is now on the road! My 38 Master 4 Door is also now on the road .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,050
ChatMaster - 1,000
|
ChatMaster - 1,000
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,050 |
My '37 Sports Coupe has original under-the-running board antennas and surprisingly, they work quite well. My car is a "driver" and seems to pick up radio signals pretty good both when we're on trips or in the city.
-BowTie Bob
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
|
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
Thanks Bowtie Bob, this is what I have been trying to tell them.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 406
Backyard Mechanic
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 406 |
Bob, do you have any pictures you could post in members section? It seems like it shouldn't be too difficult to make a set of under the running boards antenna by copying the original design.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,689 Likes: 21
ChatMaster - 6,000
|
ChatMaster - 6,000
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,689 Likes: 21 |
Bow Tie Bob, You seem to pick up radio signals pretty good because you, being in upper New York, count Canadian radio signals in with the ones south of the border. Well, no wonder, that area is jam-packed with radio stations. Mercy! Down here in good ol' NC those old 37 radios with under the running board antenna just pick up a station or two. So I've been told. Plus, who listens to AM anymore? Charlie
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 406
Backyard Mechanic
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 406 |
"Plus, who listens to AM anymore?" That would be folks that drive old cars with tube radios.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6
ChatMaster - 2,000
|
OP
ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,323 Likes: 6 |
Count me in as an AM listener to, AM740. I enjoy that in my 1951 1 Ton. Also, that is the first station I test with when I rebuild a radio.
My 1951 1 Ton is now on the road! My 38 Master 4 Door is also now on the road .
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,050
ChatMaster - 1,000
|
ChatMaster - 1,000
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,050 |
videoranger,
I'm pretty sure I have some pics that I'd be glad to post. I'll be back home this weekend and I'll look for them then.
-BowTie Bob
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 406
Backyard Mechanic
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 406 |
That would be great. Those antenna are rare and expensive when they do surface. I'd like to try and fabricate the parts and put one together since I have a correct radio head and radio chassis for a 38.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 406
Backyard Mechanic
|
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 406 |
Bob, from pictures of these antenna unmounted they appear to be two flat metal straps with rubber pieces on the ends that are held to the mounting brackets by springs. Are there straps under both running boards? Is coaxial shielded wire used to connect to radio and how does the connection enter the body. It would be nice to find a link to the original instructions with pictures. Anyone have this info? I really want to avoid putting holes in the side cowl for an antenna that really isn't as original. (For reference this discussion probably could be moved to the radio section)
Last edited by videoranger; 12/26/13 10:58 AM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 45
Shade Tree Mechanic
|
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 45 |
This is what the one looks like on my Holden built 37 roadster, not the best view but the only picture Ive got.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,050
ChatMaster - 1,000
|
ChatMaster - 1,000
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,050 |
The one on mine is completely different from that. I'll post pics as soon as I get back home.
-BowTie Bob
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
|
ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141 |
I have the installation instructions for installing on a 1940.
Gene Schneider
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,050
ChatMaster - 1,000
|
ChatMaster - 1,000
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,050 |
-BowTie Bob
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
|
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
That is an original under running board antenna. There was another identical antenna on the other side and they were connected together by a cross wire to the other side. That antenna is a perfect example to use as a pattern to reproduce. Not only should the antenna be reproduced the brackets at each end must also be fabricated. They are unique to the year of the vehicle. If a NOS set of antennas turn you on they are available in the original box for just $2,500. Let me know if interested.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
|
|
|
|
|