Hi! I just picked up a 1968-'73 Buick CB-6 radio the other day. I am looking into a proper period antenna for the radio but my google-fu seems to be lacking. Does anyone have any ideas as to what the proper antenna would be for 1970? I have scanned the original documents that came with the radio if anyone is interested in taking a look (though the FCC regulations and license applications didn't come out too well).
Are you wanting (or willing) to drill a hole? Willing to scratch the paint with either a magnetic mount or trunk lip mount? I guess, what is your acceptable level of damage to your car?
Since the car isn't all original I'm not too terribly worried about a hole, permanent mount or magnet mounts. I didn't know if anyone had any literature describing the antenna. I've got all the original install information, wiring diagrams, FCC license paperwork, etc. the only thing it doesn't talk about is the antenna. I'd like to get something that would be correct for 1970-73. I have an old magnet mount antenna that I pulled off of an old Eldorado but I'm trying to find something that'll look decent or period on the back of my GS.
In the day, the antenna was pretty much up to the owner/installer. Most people opted for a lip mount centered on the forward section of the trunk lip. A base loaded antenna was screwed onto the mount and it was called a day. Truck stops will have a wide selection of antennas to choose from and would probably be where I would go to shop as they tend to have slightly higher quality and wider selection than places like Walmart. The most important part is to make sure the antenna is tuned properly by using a SWR meter and following the directions included. Maybe even contact a friend that is a Ham (Amateur Radio) and they will have a SWR bridge used to tune the antenna. It would probably be difficult to find a NOS antenna from back in the day. If it were me, I'd get a mag mount so I would have a choice to remove the antenna when I didn't want it on the car. I'd search Ebay to see what vintage stuff shows up. Never know...
My 73 still has the bumper mount whip from back in the day. Kinda ridiculous but I cant bear to take it off...
Trunk lip mount was the most popular back in the day. If you are willing to drill a hole the panel between the trunk lid and rear window was also popular. There were also a chain mount that wrapped around the rear bumper , but that was usually reserved for a "whip " antenna which by the way is the best antenna. I still have CB's in my road cars : Truck and Suburban . I have a magnetic mount that goes on the roof. Be advised that no matter how careful you are with a magnetic mount it will still cause scratches in the paint. And Brad is correct about setting up the SWR . That is if you intend to use the radio. Keep your eyes open on E-bay for vintage antenna's . One search would be Antenna Specialist . They were a popular name back then . Model name would be " Big Momma "
In 2001 I bought a ‘78 Coupe DeVille that had the factory AM/FM/8Track/40Channel CB, with digital display and monitor feature. The factory fender antenna was the CB antenna for it. I really enjoyed having it in the car, both on long trips and the interstate part of my work commute. Apparently that radio was a quite expensive option. Patrick
In case anyone else is interested, I believe I still have a few CB radidios, some with mics, and maybe even perhaps an antenna.... They will be priced to sell. Wheelz, Tampa Bay
My Mom and Dad had a new 1981 Chrysler Imperial back in the day. It also had a factory CB radio built into the dash. Just as Patrick mentioned above (about his Caddy), the same retractable power antenna in the front fender of the Imperial served both the AM/FM radio and the factory CB. This, of course, was a specially-designed antenna to be able to function in these multiple roles. John
