What is this antenna for?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hotwls13 · 06-08-2018, 09:40 AM

I'm guessing CB, but it's really small?? Also, is this other piece part of the antenna?? It's mounted inside the cab above mirror.

OregonNed · 06-08-2018, 10:42 AM

Maybe for a business radio

BugzC10 · 06-08-2018, 02:33 PM

I use to see that type of antenna on the trunk of cop cars....

hotwls13 · 06-08-2018, 03:52 PM

Do u think the circle piece inside cab is the other end of the cable for the antenna??

BugzC10 · 06-08-2018, 04:29 PM

Probably....hook up a continuity tester to confirm....I think that will work.

hotwls13 · 06-08-2018, 05:04 PM

It's staying on/in the truck. Just one more hole I would have to patch. Haha

Now trying to think of a use for it.

**special-K** · 06-09-2018, 07:16 AM

Probably a car phone antenna. I ran ones like that on my work trucks. Reminds us these phones everyone uses were originally "car phones".

hotwls13 · 06-09-2018, 08:51 AM

Hmmm, I'll try to get some closer pics of the antenna. Maybe a model # or something on it I can google.

**special-K** · 06-09-2018, 11:26 AM

They gave me a stubby roof antenna for my cell phone because I had ladder racks. They felt the antenna on the front fender wouldn't receive very well from some directions. This was back when even hand held cell phones still needed a real antenna.

**Ol Blue K20** · 06-09-2018, 11:52 AM

They were also used on Motorola fleet radios.

RustyPile · 06-09-2018, 03:37 PM

CB channels are in the 27 MHz range. That antenna appears to be of the 450 - 500 MHz range.. Non-federal government agencies use that frequency range for their communications... If you have access to an antenna analyzer, it can be used to determine the actual operating frequency of the antenna..

RustyPile · 06-09-2018, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BugzC10

Probably....hook up a continuity tester to confirm....I think that will work.

That technique won't always work as the tuning device on some antennas will show a DC short to ground even though it's working properly..

hotwls13 · 06-09-2018, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyPile

CB channels are in the 27 MHz range. That antenna appears to be of the 450 - 500 MHz range.. Non-federal government agencies use that frequency range for their communications... If you have access to an antenna analyzer, it can be used to determine the actual operating frequency of the antenna..

No access to an “antenna analyzer”. Never heard of one til now.

Don’t know much about this truck, but it did have a huge propane tank in the bed before I got it, it had a very heavy steel placard/document holder that was screwed to the inside of the back of the cab (behind seat). It was also previously owned by a corrections officer.

Add in the antenna and I got the feeling this truck had some history as a government truck at some point.

RustyPile · 06-09-2018, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotwls13

No access to an “antenna analyzer”. Never heard of one til now.

Don’t know much about this truck, but it did have a huge propane tank in the bed before I got it, it had a very heavy steel placard/document holder that was screwed to the inside of the back of the cab (behind seat). It was also previously owned by a corrections officer.

Add in the antenna and I got the feeling this truck had some history as a government truck at some point.

You're probably correct, that would explain the presence of the antenna.. About the antenna analyzer.. Any two-way communications service center will have one.. Although they probably won't loan the tool, they'd be happy to check the antenna for you for a nominal fee.. Also, this is a common tool used by most Amateur Radio Operators, aka hams..

hotwls13 · 06-10-2018, 04:25 PM

A couple closeups:

bill3rail · 06-11-2018, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyPile

CB channels are in the 27 MHz range. That antenna appears to be of the 450 - 500 MHz range.. Non-federal government agencies use that frequency range for their communications... If you have access to an antenna analyzer, it can be used to determine the actual operating frequency of the antenna..

I would guess it to be higher than 450-500Mhz. That is still too short for that.
My guess would be a business radio maybe 800Mhz area. Nothing too important...

Bill

RustyPile · 06-12-2018, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill3rail

I would guess it to be higher than 450-500Mhz. That is still too short for that.
My guess would be a business radio maybe 800Mhz area. Nothing too important...

Bill

1/4 wave length at 500 mhz is approximately 5 inches.. 1/4 wave at 800 mhz is approximately 3 inches.. If the antenna is something other than 1/4 wave, those measurements don't apply. Without something in the pictures to indicate scale reference or element length, and knowing the fractional wave length of the antenna, it's anybody's guess as to the operating frequency of that antenna.. As previously stated, an antenna analyzer will give the answer..

**Steeveedee** · 06-12-2018, 03:23 PM

Yup, would need to look at S11 if using a VNA.

Willie Makeit · 06-12-2018, 04:33 PM

curiosity got the best of me and i found this

http://www.wiscointl.com/antenex/mobile/quaterwave.htm

06-08-2018, 09:40 AM	#1
hotwls13 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 308	What is this antenna for?? I'm guessing CB, but it's really small?? Also, is this other piece part of the antenna?? It's mounted inside the cab above mirror. Attached Images

06-08-2018, 10:42 AM	#2
OregonNed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Vancouver, Washington Posts: 1,644	Re: What is this antenna for?? Maybe for a business radio __________________ 1968 Chevrolet C/10 LWB - 327, TH350 - 4/5 Drop

06-08-2018, 02:33 PM	#3
BugzC10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Green Valley Arizona Posts: 1,351	Re: What is this antenna for?? I use to see that type of antenna on the trunk of cop cars.... __________________ 1970 C10 Short Stepper with 71/72 front clip.

06-08-2018, 03:52 PM	#4
hotwls13 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 308	Re: What is this antenna for?? Do u think the circle piece inside cab is the other end of the cable for the antenna??

06-08-2018, 04:29 PM	#5
BugzC10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Green Valley Arizona Posts: 1,351	Re: What is this antenna for?? Probably....hook up a continuity tester to confirm....I think that will work. __________________ 1970 C10 Short Stepper with 71/72 front clip.

06-08-2018, 05:04 PM	#6
hotwls13 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 308	Re: What is this antenna for?? It's staying on/in the truck. Just one more hole I would have to patch. Haha Now trying to think of a use for it.

06-09-2018, 07:16 AM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: What is this antenna for?? Probably a car phone antenna. I ran ones like that on my work trucks. Reminds us these phones everyone uses were originally "car phones". __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

06-09-2018, 08:51 AM	#8
hotwls13 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 308	Re: What is this antenna for?? Hmmm, I'll try to get some closer pics of the antenna. Maybe a model # or something on it I can google.

06-09-2018, 11:26 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: What is this antenna for?? They gave me a stubby roof antenna for my cell phone because I had ladder racks. They felt the antenna on the front fender wouldn't receive very well from some directions. This was back when even hand held cell phones still needed a real antenna. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

06-09-2018, 11:52 AM	#10
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,834	Re: What is this antenna for?? They were also used on Motorola fleet radios. __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

06-09-2018, 03:37 PM	#11
RustyPile Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Elkhart, Texas Posts: 1,536	Re: What is this antenna for?? CB channels are in the 27 MHz range. That antenna appears to be of the 450 - 500 MHz range.. Non-federal government agencies use that frequency range for their communications... If you have access to an antenna analyzer, it can be used to determine the actual operating frequency of the antenna..

06-10-2018, 04:25 PM	#15
hotwls13 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 308	Re: What is this antenna for?? A couple closeups: Attached Images

06-12-2018, 03:23 PM	#18
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,104	Re: What is this antenna for?? Yup, would need to look at S11 if using a VNA. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

06-12-2018, 04:33 PM	#19
Willie Makeit Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,206	Re: What is this antenna for?? curiosity got the best of me and i found this http://www.wiscointl.com/antenex/mobile/quaterwave.htm



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