Fender Antenna

[Itali83]

My 82 has the same fender mount. It’s been converted to windshield and I’ve always had the windshield antenna in my other 10 squares. Never had reception issues either.

Ben

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[bigcountry78]

My 78 came with the windshield antenna, even though it was ordered without a radio. Antenna is still there and still working great.

 

[gotyourgoat]

On an 84 with old if not original windshield without embedded antenna. Could be mistaken but I believe removal/installation of this style requires the fender to be taken off.

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[WebMonkey]

for simply receiving broadcast fm radio, you could use almost anything.

you could even 'hide' each leg of the antenna under the dash material or along the visor area.
the back window, etc etc.

if you live 'in the city' or near one, you'd never notice the difference.

homebrew antenna would be easy if you had to give up the windshield antenna.

 

[legopnuematic]

79-80 GMC front clip I bought with fender antenna

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[jjester6000]

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My '74 used to have an antenna, then this happended.

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Now I have this homemade deal.

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[RoryH19]

79-80 GMC front clip I bought with fender antenna

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Looks like yours is on the driver's side.

 

[SirRobyn0]

I believe the answer is this: When the dealer orders a truck with a radio, like my '74 was, windshield antenna. When I ordered my '82, I ordered it with no radio. I wanted to install my own choice. Truck was built without the windshield antenna.

Back in the day many dealers would order vehicles without radios, then sell the customers an aftermarket radio from their selection. Make more money on each sale, just like the dealer installed pinstripe on every unit.

The antenna mount pictured by @DanMcG is the GM accessory type for the square. When I added the antenna to my '82 I chose a GM antenna made for a Caviler. It put the antenna in the top of the fender instead on the side. I'll get a picture if anyone is interested.

This is the best most likely answer I've seen to this question.

for simply receiving broadcast fm radio, you could use almost anything.

you could even 'hide' each leg of the antenna under the dash material or along the visor area.
the back window, etc etc.

if you live 'in the city' or near one, you'd never notice the difference.

homebrew antenna would be easy if you had to give up the windshield antenna.

I live in the middle of no where and listen to an AM station a lot, my square with windshield antenna pulls it in great. Other vehicles I own with fender mount are as good or worse, but the thing we all have to keep in mind when discussing reception is that the head unit can make as big a difference as the antenna used.

 

[Zoomalot]

My 85 had the window mounted antenna. The new glass didn't have that option so I switched to the fender mount. I happened to have a cowl cover from another 85 that had the fender mount. It done actually mount in the fender, it's in the cowl piece.

There's no possible way, in my opinion to mount a power antenna. There's a ton of metal structure in that are. I went with a standard aerial, although it's black with the spiral wound wire like modern vehicles use.

My "87" left the factory with a "power antenna" option as per build sheet ( since been replaced with manual )

 

[SquareRoot]

liberals i bet

Actually I never listen to the broadcast radio. I just feel compelled to plug unused holes

 

[SquareRoot]

My "87" left the factory with a "power antenna" option as per build sheet ( since been replaced with manual )

Just curious, is it mounted in the fender or the cowl?

 

[73454GMC]

I believe the fender mounted antenna was an option. It seems that if you had a camper or ladder rack etc. that hangs over the roof and windshield you would lose reception so GM made the option.

 

[Zoomalot]

Fender

 

[SirRobyn0]

I do have a picture and if I think to I'll up load it later. We saw 4 squares at the shop last week. One which was an R10 had a fender mount antenna. It was definitely an aftermarket type antenna, no antenna in the windshield. This truck was pretty bare bones so it might one of the ones that didn't get a radio until it was at the dealer.

 

[Ken B]

MY 81 c10 has fender antenna staying with it