CB Antenna - convert to AM/FM?

[nbk3ad2]

I admit that I know nothing about radios or frequency. I'm doing a full restoration of a '64 Tradwind and have been midly assuming that I could just us the existing antenna to pick up AM/FM with a modern car stereo unit. Is this possible or do I need a different type of antenna? I like the way the factory antenna looks on the airstream and really want to find a way to use it if I can - any thoughts?

[klattu]

Yes...use original

[nbk3ad2]

Thanks for the quick reply klattu - I just want to be sure and i realized that I left out some important info: The factory antenna I'm referring to is the really long (about 10 ft) antenna on the front. a friend of mine thought that this was a CB antenna and suggested that I couldn't use a CB antenna for AM/FM because it was a different frequency range. Is that tru?

[garry]

CB antenna will screw in (BNC connector) while a radio antenna plugs in.

Your antenna if orignal is for a radio.

Garry

[nbk3ad2]

Thanks garry - when I checked again I noticed that the stub sticking through my interior skin was NOT from the radio antenna, but from what looks like a old tv antenna.... I'll have to check it out further...

What I found was a hole where the radio antenna is supposed to come through with just a couple wires pushed back into it. Tomorrow I'll check to see what is really there.

[klattu]

FM ideal is 11" mast

AM can be just about anything not grounded...
Coil of wire, extended CB, almost anything.
My old 36 Terraplane has its AM under the running board, looks like a wire fence panel...and works great.

Now CB has a lenght...is long and do not remember.
Around 10 feet.
It can be coiled up too, but has to be exact.
'Tuning the whip' is triming the end until it matches the 'wave'

[robandzoe]

I just bought two of these today for Colin up at GSM. It is for CB. Although it will probably pick up stations, most likely not optimum setup. You are talking about the stainless ball mount type antenna, right?

Rob

[nbk3ad2]

Originally Posted by robandzoe

I just bought two of these today for Colin up at GSM. It is for CB. Although it will probably pick up stations, most likely not optimum setup. You are talking about the stainless ball mount type antenna, right?

Rob

UHM... Maybe. I haven't measured it, but it seems to be about 9 or 10 feet long and has a spring at the mount and is clipped in two spots temporarily to the body of the AS for travelling. That's all I know for now...

[robandzoe]

Supposedly, as I've been told, 102" is half the wave length of the CB wave form. Not sure wave length of the FM side. Good luck. For FM, Airstreams in the 50s and early 60s used what I have on my blog post here:

Sweet Sovereign of the Road: January 2006

What you have is on my March 27th post:

Sweet Sovereign of the Road: March 2006

Hope this helps,

Rob

Vintage Trailer Supply from my site, carries those antennas. Let Steve know I sent you!

[nbk3ad2]

Hey Rob - THAT'S the one - Blog #2!
While i now have a reference, what the heck is that? Is it CB or AM/FM? Does it matter... I'm getting confused?