Radio Antenna Question

[KMC-DMC]

My car, vin 2969 has an aerial on the right fender. Initially i thought it would be like the aerial similar to an old porsche 924 I used to have and it would retract automatically when not in use. But the delorean one is fixed and you have to unscrew it when not in use. Is this normal? I know there were issues with early vin radios and reception.
Its not a problem for me but i'm just curious.
Thanks
Kevin

[bozzzydmc]

Yes the front wing mounted ones are fixed due to there being no room underneath ( the black underbody ) for one to retract into. I have heard of people hacking / drilling into the underbody .. but that wasnt for me... in the end i had the hole welded up and i am in the process of going to the rear pontoon monted electic ariel.

[KMC-DMC]

Thanks for the reply. I'm just please its not something one of the PO done to the car. if its factory issue then i'm happy with it.

[stunned_monkey]

http://www.dmcnews.com/bulletins/PS-01-9.81.html

http://www.dmcnews.com/bulletins/ST-07-7.81.html

This was subsequently superceeded by the electric antenna in the rear quarter. It requires that the underbody be cut back to a depth of 1"

[Dan6457]

My car has the electric antenna but it doesn't retract all the way down, it stops about an inch out of the vent and you can hear it click as if a gear is skipping teeth. Are they easy to get out? Also do they come apart easy or is it just easier to buy a new one from cpc?

[Dodgy Motor]

I think the click is normal on cheap ariels. and seeing as it is longer may not be the correct one mate. Im sure the previous owner will put you straight

[Rich Hanlon]

Jeeze, that second service bulletin sounds pretty brutal, fitting the new aerial with a hole saw - and they expect you to do it all in '0.5 time units' or 30 mins!!! No wonder some previous work has been found to be a little lacking in 'finesse'!!

[stunned_monkey]

Dan1986 Wrote:My car has the electric antenna but it doesn't retract all the way down, it stops about an inch out of the vent and you can hear it click as if a gear is skipping teeth. Are they easy to get out? Also do they come apart easy or is it just easier to buy a new one from cpc?

IIRC you have an aftermarket jobby that Mark Bourne fitted many moons ago. If it's bright silver, it's not original.

[Dan6457]

Mines black. Also it used to work fine and now doesn't. It stops just out of the vent.

[steve.s]

Hi

you could also fit an adapter so that the heated rear screen becomes the antenna.

BMW's etc have them, i think some fords. i was going to nget one from a scrappers.

mine is an early vin, with a new screen.

[Dodgy Motor]

Dan dont waste your money, use an old coat hanger wire held in with some old knicker elastic :wink: ..electric ariels indeed,,in my day all we had was a cardboard box with a stick poking out to play walky talky,and just shout loud :lol:

[bozzzydmc]

http://www.deloreans.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=806

or just buy a new one ... available in oem black colour ...

[Dan6457]

Yeah I'll do that. No point in repairing it for that money is there!

What areal has yours got then Allen? Is it a bit of rod welded onto the wing with as much neetness as your chassis patching? :lol:

Sorry that was harsh :wink:

[Dodgy Motor]

I prefer my idea ,much cheaper.just make sure its not a wooden one like this