Cherokee 4WD LHD L6-4.0L VIN S (2001)
Antenna Mast: Description and Operation
Fig.11 Antenna Mast
A non-retractable, removable radio antenna mast is standard factory equipment on this model, unless the vehicle is ordered with an available radio delete
option. The antenna mast is not installed on the vehicle when it is shipped from the factory, but is stored in the rear cargo area of the vehicle. Dealer
personnel are to install the antenna mast into the antenna body as part of the preparation procedures that are performed just prior to new vehicle delivery.
When installed, the antenna mast is the most visible component of the antenna unit. The antenna mast is a metal rod that extends upward from the top of
the right front fender panel of the vehicle, near the right end of the cowl plenum. The antenna mast for this model is a fixed length, bright finished,
stainless steel, rod-type unit. The lower end of the antenna mast has a threaded stud below a hex formation on a tapered adapter that is used to secure the
mast to the antenna body.
The antenna mast cannot be adjusted or repaired. All factory-installed radios automatically compensate for radio antenna trim. Therefore, no antenna
trimmer adjustment is required or possible after replacing the antenna mast or the radio. If an antenna mast is damaged or faulty, it must be replaced.
The radio antenna is an electromagnetic circuit component used to capture radio frequency signals that are broadcast by local commercial radio stations
in both the Amplitude Modulating (AM) and Frequency Modulating (FM) frequency ranges. These electromagnetic radio frequency signals induce small
electrical modulations into the antenna as they move past the mast. The antenna mast is connected to the center wire of the coaxial antenna cable through
the antenna body. The coaxial antenna cable conducts these induced electromagnetic radio frequency signals from the antenna mast to the radio. In order
to operate properly, the antenna mast must not be grounded to any part of the vehicle.
A tapered adapter with a hex formation on the fender end of the mast has a threaded stud that is installed into the threaded receptacle of the antenna body
to secure the mast to the vehicle. The hex formation on the adapter at the fender end of the mast above the stud allows the mast to be easily removed or
installed using a small open-end or adjustable wrench.