I believe dear old Uncle was jesting,referring to the habit of some sections of the community (Google for "Bogans"),"temporarily" replacing broken car radio antennas with bent coathangers.
The owners often show their artistic talent,with many of these coathangers bent into fantastic shapes,such as maps of Australia (minus Tasmania),kangaroos,flowers,etc.
Coathangers are also useful for unlocking your car if you locked the keys inside,or someone else's car if you are of a criminal bent.
(Or,at least they were with older cars)
VK6ZGO