I have purchased and want to install a new power antenna on my 68 Camaro. I have an AM radio only. I am going to mount the antenna on the right rear fender. How do I go about wiring it up? I would like for the antenna to extend and retract ONLY when the radio is turned on. Is this possible, and how?? What wires where?? I am an electrical idiot, so I need help. The antenna I purchased did come with extended wires and a long coaxial cable.
oldcarman49er@msn.com graemlins/clonk.gif

Those radios didn't come with a power antenna feed I don't believe. As a result, you'll have to break into the radio and tap into the circuit somehow. You'd have to fuse the circuit appropriately (0.5-1.0Amp) and power the antenna through a relay. I'm not sure if the panel lamps only came on when power was applied or not. If so, the panel lamps would be a good tap for antenna relay feed. In that case, the relay would energize whenever the front panel light energizes.

-dnult

What if I just want it to extend and retract with the turning on of the ignition switch? How do I wire that??
Thanks
oldcarman49er@msn.com graemlins/clonk.gif

What wires does your antenna have? Does it have a lead for 12V supply and another for up/down? I'm trying to figure out how you will get the antenna to retract after the ignition is turned off. I've got some theories, but will probably lead you astray until I know what features your antenna provides.

-dnult

I use a Radio Shack power antenna,
and I use a seperate switch to operate the antenna.that way I can have it up,even if the radio is off.
here is a drawing for it. there are 3 lines to the antenna one ground,and two power lines. One of the power lines gets a switch,that works the relay on the antenna...
http://www.fototime.com/76fdbd1251052c7/standard.jpg

TomTV:
Thats the same antenna that I purchased, unfortunately I lost the installation instructions. The toggle switch is a good idea!!
Thanks.
I would still like to consider hooking it up to my ignition switch however. Dnult: If you look at TomTV schematic, that is the same wires that I have. Any clues on the ignition switch hookup??
Thanks a lot guys!!

You would have to open up the insise of the radio ,and hook the orange wire to the hot side of the radio on/off switch,to get it to go up & down with the radio. The switch would be easyer than ripping out the radio,and all that happy stuff. :eek:

Thanks guys:
I think I will hook up the external switch for now. If I ever pull out the radio, then I might tear it apart and hook it inside.
Thanks for your help. What a great source of information.

Originally posted by oldcarman49er:
TomTV:
If you look at TomTV schematic, that is the same wires that I have. Any clues on the ignition switch hookup??
Thanks a lot guys!! You should be able to use a terminal labled IGN on the fuse box. There should also be one labled ACC. ACC is the better choice if you want ot be able to operate the antenna with the key in the accessory position. IGN applies power to ignition coil, guages, etc. ACC just runs the radio, wipers, and other electic accessories only.

-dnult