Antenna Leadwire Test Set-up - 1974 Stereo Radio

[Robert S.]

I want to run a quick test to see if my antenna leadwire (wire from the antenna mast to radio) is the reason why my radio has only static on all AM and FM channels. My thinking was to cut a piece of brass braze wire the length of a radio mast and insert one end into a block of wood. I would remove the car leadwire from the radio and insert a short antenna leadwire into the radio and at the other end of the leadwire connect the outer shell of the leadwire to the ground of the car and connect the inner pin of the leadwire to the "braze wire antenna" with a short length of standard electrical jumper wire having clips at both ends - ie test leads.

Questions:
1. Electrically will this work or do I need a different set-up?
2. Any other way to conduct a test of the antenna leadwire that people have successfully used?

Clearly I have trying to avoid purchasing any more parts than necessary to run this test as I might find the leadwire is fine and the radio will have to come out for repair.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Antenna Leadwire Test Set-up - 1974 Stereo Radio

I just use any extra antenna with a cable I have and plug it into the radio and see what happens.

[Jack H.]

Re: Antenna Leadwire Test Set-up - 1974 Stereo Radio

Approach sounds overblown to me... The braid on the antenna lead-in cable is there simply to shield the center conductor from stray RF. Off-the-shelf replacement antennas complete with short, captive, lead-in cables are available at WalMart for something like $5-8. Compare that to the time you'll spend fabricating your custom test system!

Most shops simply keep an 'el cheapo', made in Taiwan, replacement antenna with captive lead-in on the shelf to test by substitution. There's little to go wrong with the original antenna mast. When a substitute antenna provides significantly improved reception (results are MUCH more dramatic for AM vs. FM), it's generally the antenna lead-in cable that's defective...