I googled and searched, i didnt find anything, but if there is anything on it, please tell me.


Ive decided i wanted a retractable antenna for a few reasons, first the NASA issue stock one is absolutely huge and ugly for when i'm just parked, I dont really want to deal with one of those window mounted ones, because i know my eyes will automatically be drawn to them when im driving, and i really prefer the look of just the little base of the antenna over the look of a little tiny antenna.

Has anyone ever tried doing this? im fairly familiar with electronics as long as audio electronics goes (been building guitar effect pedals and amps for a year or so) but im still a little iffy on if i can handle something like that.

any help is appreciated, im not quite sure what kind of antenna i should be getting for this.

thanks.

 

Try a Metra PW22 antenna. The PW22 is stainless the PW22B is black.

 

thats exactly what i need.

i know how to wire up the antenna itself, but what is the best way to wire up the up/down on it?

 

If you're using an aftermarket deck, wire the turn-on lead to the wire on the deck (usually blue). If using your factory deck, I'd suggest wiring it to the radio's ground wire. This way, when the radio comes on, the antenna will see current on the ground wire and will raise the antenna. Alternatively, you could wire it to a switch if you want to be able to control it manually.

 

i see, where is the ground for the stock radio located at?

i would check my shop manual if it would finally get here *grumble grumble*

 

It's almost always the black wire coming out of the deck. I believe Mercedes uses a brown wire (or some other non-standard color), but everyone else should use black.

 

oh ok, i didnt know if it was grounding to the engine bay or what..

 

I really like my 8" shorty. I got it in chrome. Looks awesome and was super easy to install.

 

I had a retractable antenna on a Buick I once owned (was given to us by my Grandmother). When you turn the radio on the antenna (in the back) would rise up. Just remember, when you have a lot of snow or ice on it, DO NOT turn the radio on, until the ice and snow has melted around it. I found out the hard way and had to buy another $100 antenna and that was many years ago!

 

dont worry, if i get enough snow in georgia that my garage freezes over enough to freeze my antenna, my LAST worry will be catching up on my tunes with the radio! haha.

i should be ordering that antenna maybe tomorrow or the next day.

if all im doing is connecting the ground from the radio to the motor for the antenna then wont it still come up anyways due to the clock? i may know a good bit about guitar electronics.. but im feeling clueless on the car electronics.