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Power Antenna in a Camaro??

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Old 10-23-2018, 10:41 AM
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Question Power Antenna in a Camaro??

Has anyone successfully installed an aftermarket power antenna in a Camaro? If so which one.
Old 10-23-2018, 06:39 PM
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Firebird power antenna may be easier to set up than a generic aftermarket.
Old 10-31-2018, 06:55 PM
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And it will look better than a clunky universal one.

I salvaged a power antenna with a bad mast from a 90's Oldsmobile. It was an exact match to the Firebird one, so I bought a new mast for like $20 on Ebay and it has worked perfectly since.



Last edited by tophatjimmy; 10-31-2018 at 07:48 PM.
Old 11-12-2018, 04:10 PM
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Ok so where did you tie into the power supply? There are 2 leads for power. Tap them into the amp wiring?
Old 11-12-2018, 04:21 PM
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No, the two are different power sources. Terminal A takes constant (battery) power which you could get from the Monsoon amp using one of the two orange wires in positions E11 and E12. The other is switched power - when power is present the antenna goes up and stays up, when power is removed the antenna goes down. The factory configuration uses a pink antenna signal wire to raise the antenna whenever the head unit is powered on (regardless of audio source). Some aftermarket HUs work the same way while others only raise the antenna when the radio is the selected audio source. Most people who use the audio system all the time could also use an ignition switched power to achieve the same results. There is no ignition switched (or radio switched) power in the Monsoon amp wiring - it turns on and off using audio signal detection.
Old 11-12-2018, 04:37 PM
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Thanx Whitebird for your response. I have an aftermarket Sony HD radio with steering wheel controls and all that. Would there not be a wire in the amp bundle that turns on the amp when you turn on the radio? That I could Tap into. My 1998 Z28 has the factory CD changer in the rear area that I do not use, there are wires in there also that would turn on with the radio.
Old 11-13-2018, 07:11 AM
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No, as mentioned, the Monsoon amp turns on and off using audio signal detection rather than the remote amp wire common in most aftermarket amps so there is no wire in the amp harness which provides switched power. Your Sony head unit would provide both an antenna trigger wire and a remote amp wire, either of which could be used to control the antenna.

The optional factory CD changer would have a switched power wire (green) except that it gets power from being plugged into the factory head unit - there's no equivalent socket to plug it into the aftermarket head unit. You could splice the green wire into the head unit adapter harness to connect it to the antenna control wire (blue) or the remote amp wire (blue/white) but all that really gains you is not having to run a new wire from the HU to the back of the car... you still have to run a wire from the other end of the changer harness across the back to the antenna.
Old 11-17-2018, 01:22 PM
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thanx for the info.
but........ finding a used GM antenna from a Firebird or TransAm is like looking for Hen's teeth.
Old 11-21-2018, 09:27 AM
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OK So, I bought an GM 10269280 Power antenna "New" out of box on eBay but the mast is not installed. Do I need to take the housing apart to install the new mast?? I looked on YouTube but did not find any videos on this type of mast install. Smart people Help me please it's my Birthday.
Old 11-28-2018, 07:05 PM
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Default Why are things not si,ple?

So my new OEM antenna power connection plug has wires Black, Green & Orange. The wiring diagram in my manual shows Black, Pink & Orange. Does anyone have an actual picture of this plug connection? I have found throughout the years that with male/female connection colors going in sometimes come out different colors. Appreciate you guys help.

Old 11-29-2018, 06:53 AM
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I figured the orange and black match so the green would be the trigger wire but I checked the service manual just to be sure. Based on the positions in the connector, pin A (orange) is constant power, pin B (pink or green) is the trigger from the head unit, and pin C (black) is ground.
Old 11-29-2018, 10:01 PM
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Wire is like what 20 gauge?
Old 11-30-2018, 08:38 AM
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No, much larger... looks like 14 gauge although it could be 16 gauge with thick insulation.
Old 11-30-2018, 08:59 AM
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I'm headed to the local junk yard to see if I can find the other end of this plug connection. I do not want to cut the end off of the antenna, want to keep it looking as original as possible. GM wants $35 for the plastic connector.
Old 11-30-2018, 04:38 PM
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Default almost there....

OK so Good Luck at the junk yard. Got the connector off of a silver Firebird. I now have everything I need, I believe. Just a couple more questions. I notice that there is no gasket between the top on the antenna that mounts to the inside of the rear quarter, is that right, metal to metal? Also there is one small rubber grommet that appears to be for this water drain? not sure where it drains to.
I have all the proper colors of wire and plastic corrugated wire sleeve. I think I am good to go.

Old 11-30-2018, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
No, the two are different power sources. Terminal A takes constant (battery) power which you could get from the Monsoon amp using one of the two orange wires in positions E11 and E12. The other is switched power - when power is present the antenna goes up and stays up, when power is removed the antenna goes down. The factory configuration uses a pink antenna signal wire to raise the antenna whenever the head unit is powered on (regardless of audio source). Some aftermarket HUs work the same way while others only raise the antenna when the radio is the selected audio source. Most people who use the audio system all the time could also use an ignition switched power to achieve the same results. There is no ignition switched (or radio switched) power in the Monsoon amp wiring - it turns on and off using audio signal detection.
OK so you are saying that I can use E11 or E12 orange wire for the power and then I can use E8 or E9 for the ground wire on the antenna , Correct?
Then I can just run one (1) wire to the head unit to control the up & down of the antenna when the unit is powered on (pink wire). The corresponding wire from my Sony is Blue.
I know I ask a lot of question but I just want to get this right the first time, besides someone will come along someday and find this Thread useful.
Old 11-30-2018, 08:36 PM
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Red face

Damn, I don't know what I'd do without you guys. So what did I do wrong? Wrong antenna, bracket?




Old 12-01-2018, 08:58 AM
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Eventually I will get this completed, then I will do a D.I.Y. for future references.
Old 12-01-2018, 04:34 PM
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Here's the factory setup for a Trans Am. Hopefully the pics load





Old 12-01-2018, 07:46 PM
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Thanx for the pictures, mine is a little different. Now I understand what is supposed to go where. I'm waiting for a black mast to come. Just got back from the HomeDepot, I bought some steel so I can modify my bracket to fit my camaro. Apparently from the pictures a TransAm and a Camaro are a little different inside the trunk area. Your's looks like a 98 or newer, I bought a new GM from a 1996 Firebird and there a few minor changes, I'm learning.


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