Other: Anyone add a Power Radio Antenna?

[dsd]

My 64 Hawk has the radio antenna on the front left side by the windshield. The antenna is a manual pull up but does not push down flush.

Whats the correct antenna type for a 64? Has anyone added a power antenna (that goes up and down based on radio on/off)? Thinking of redoing the system this fall and wondered thoughts on swapping to a power antenna.

Best!

[Mike Van Veghten]

Just do it..!
A flush antenna would be a nice addition.

Mike

[jclary]

It has been over 30 years since I sold my 1962 GT Hawk. So...this story is a little dated. But, my Hawk had one of those factory antennas mounted on the trunk lid. It was damaged and instead of replacing it with the factory one, I purchased an electric aftermarket antenna and figured out how to mount it in the Hawk's factory chrome base. I had to fabricate a bracket on the underside of the trunk lid to secure the motor.

Anyway...back then, I drove the Hawk to cruise-ins, shows, and football games. I installed a toggle switch so that I could operate the antenna independent of the radio. When folks would pull up next to me curious about the Hawk...I would run the antenna up and down like a bee stinger. Kids loved it...so did the big immature kid that owned it!

[RadioRoy]

Some power antennas require 12 volts on one terminal to make it go up and 12 volts on another terminal to make it go down. That kind needs a manually operated switch.

Some power antennas use 12 volts to go up and then they stay up until the 12 volts is switched off. When the 12 volts is switched off, they go down. That's the kind to use if you want operation to be automatic.

If you want the antenna to go up when you turn the radio on, use relay contacts to power the antenna motor and use the radio on/off switch to power the relay coil.

The power antenna motor requires more current than the radio on/off switch can handle for more than a few cycles.

[royvaldez]

I am currently restoring a power antenna for a 1950 ish to 58 Packard Antenna

[RadioRoy]

I am currently restoring a power antenna for a 1950 ish to 58 Packard Antenna

Is it vacuum powered or electric?

57-58 Packards are basically/mostly Studebakers.

[bensherb]

My '62 GT has an aftermarket electric antenna mounted in the left kick panel that comes up through the left fender near the "A" pillar. It's operated buy an on-off-on momentary switch mounted under the dash. I'm sure it was installed in the late '70s, probably when an aftermarket , cheap "parts store" stereo was cut into the dash. When I got the car it was broken, but I was able to fix it. I replaced the cheap stereo with the original pushbutton AM/FM radio that came with the car. Had to fix the dash trim panel too, but have since found a replacement, just haven't installed it yet.

[royvaldez]

The one I am working on is electric

[dsd]

Thanks all. I’m going to upgrade the stereo with one from RadioRoy and add that power antenna.