[DML] Re: Fixed my antenna, sort of...

["Marv Hein" <marvhein@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I did the $15 Pep Boys "close to" antenna mast replacement too.  
As it turned out, the antenna I selected had a "ball" too large to 
fit through the top nut. Nutless, mine vibrates a tiny bit but works 
OK otherwise.  

Anyone else considering this replacement option might want to match 
their old belt teeth to the new one AND consider the size of the 
ball before purchasing a mast.

One issue might be that your mast is rubbing against the opening in 
the pontoon, preventing smooth retraction.

I had to cycle the antenna about a dozen times before it would 
retract completely.  As I observed the antenna, I got my son to 
cycle the radio power on/off each time the antenna stopped moving. 
(You could probably use your rearview mirror to monitor the antenna 
while you controlled the power.) The spool eventually accepted the 
whole length of belt.  

You might want to compare the length of your new belt with the 
combined pieces of the old one.  I believe I had to shorten mine a 
little to help eliminate the symptoms you describe. If you don't 
have the old pieces, trim very gradually or you'll be headed back to 
Pep Boys! :)

As I recall, the end of the belt on my new mast had a shape that may 
have slipped a little and retraction wouldn't always start promptly. 
I'm not positive the antenna motor's run is time-based, but the 
motor "seemed" to time out before the antenna got all the way down. 
I remember trimming mine to match the shape on the original and it 
seemed to help retraction start more consistently and end more 
completely.  

Of course, your mast and experiences may vary.  Hope this helps.

Marv
#10820
AZ-D



--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "valleyrat12" <valleyrat12@...> 
wrote:
>
> I disassembled my antenna to find that the nylon feed gear was 
broken 
> in a couple of places. I went to Pep Boys and purchased one that 
> looked "close" to the original. It took a few attempts but finally 
the 
> mechanism accepted the new antenna. 
> 
> The only problem is that sometimes the antenna does not make it 
all 
> the way down. It gets stuck and then does not complete retraction. 
If 
> I help it a little bit it will retract all the way. I greased up 
the 
> nylon gear really good, it almost seems like it gets caught up on 
the 
> creases in the feed gear from when it was packaged. Has anyone 
else 
> had this experience? Do I need to adjust something?
> 
> Nathan
> 2277 (now with working radio)
>










To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx

For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com

To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/