Power Antenna - 12V constant Question

[bmwstephen]

I was looking at the electricals of our stock power antennas and noticed that it has two types of 12v hooked up to it: constant (red wire) and switched (white wire). The constant serves to amplify the antenna's signal and the switched signals the motor to extend or retract the antenna.

Given this observation, does that mean the antenna is constantly amplified and is effectively on "24/7"? Does this have some sort of wear on the antenna itself?

I just replaced mine with a brand new oem unit and boy that was not a fun job trying to feed the belt into motor.. took me a few hours so I want to preserve my unit as long as possible.

[bmwman91]

There's no harm in the way it is connected. These things last for decades, and as far as I can tell keeping the antenna segments clean is the best way to prolong its life. Grit and stuff gets in and makes the segments difficult to slide, and that puts more wear on things.

[jeffnhiscars]

There is no amplification in the antenna. The white wire over rides the red to raise it when its switched on & the red wire is just a juice feed to lower the antenna when the car is switched off at which point it does nothing. Its all manage by a PCB in the housing.