C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Any radio guys out there? Have 59 vette with wonder bar am radio. Radio has been sent off to be repaired, speaker sent to be checked, replaced antenna mast, checked grounds and tried crying. Radio picks up real good if you can hold on to the mast. Maybe a potato would help! Suspect antenna lead wire is bad, even though its new. Plugged in another antenna with different lead wire and reception is great and wonder bar picks up and stops on stations as designed. Any experience with this problem. Hate to wreck out upholstry to change lead wire if that is not the problem.
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Gary,
You ant grounded...Somewhere you have to make sure you have the proper ground straps attached in the proper places (wherever that maybe). I had the same issue before when I touch the antenna it was like HD radio.. there is a ground strap connected to the lower part of the mast shaft that is attached to the lower frame/ bumper mount bracket inside the lower left trunk well...
If grounding ant the problem.. then disregard my posting.
Al -
Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Thanks al. Checked ground strap from antenna mounting to bolt in bottom of trunk near wheelhouse and all is tight. Checked grounds under car and all seems in place and tight. Also checke ground strap from radio to valve cover.Comment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Call Jerry Rudbeck (864)363-0947.Comment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Jerry, i just tried to call and got your machine. I will try again tomorrow.
Thanks
gary
254-913-3736Comment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Gary, have you tried adjusting the antenna trimmer condenser? The trimmer screw is located at the right hand rear lower surface of the receiver. Fully extend the antenna, dial in a weak station and rotate the antenna t******* screw to obtain best signal.Comment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Seems to make no difference where you set it. Volume has to be all the way up to barely get 2 am stations.Comment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Try using a meter to make sure ypu have a good ground. Or also use an additional jumper, to be sure.Comment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Talked to steve at ford & garland radio repair, and he suggested that the replacement antenna leads do not have a capacitor built into them like the original. He is sending me one to lay outside the car to antenna to try. The capacitor fools the radio into thinkin the antenna lead is only 4 ft long. Will let everyone know results.Comment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
I would like to know more about this, I have never seen a capacitor added to any antenna on a 1960 at least, but if there is one would like to know where it is.Comment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
What i understand is it is built into the jack that plugs into the radio. The aftermarket antenna leads do not have this. Not something you can see. Steve at ford and garland first told me of this and are sending me a new antenna lead. It was confirmed by another retired radio man who is also a member of ncrs.Comment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Gary - I had somewhat of a similar problem with my '57. It turns out that the small wire inside the antenna lead cable wasn't making good contact with the little knob (for lack of a better word) inside the mast connection. I finally was able to loosen the mast nut (on the outside of the car) and twist the mast just right to get a connection with good reception. I have had to redo this once again but that was much easier than installing a new antenna lead cable.
GerryComment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Gary,
let me know how this goes..I have the same issue.. Does this guy have a website? best thing to do is make a youtube video so we can all see how it works.
AlComment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
I will let you know soon as it arrives. Meantime you can call steve at ford & garland and talk to him about yours.Comment
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Re: C1 wonderbar radio reception problem
Hmmm, that is interesting. Normally the antenna is capacitively coupled inside the radio to the detector. I have never heard of a capacitor inside the connector. The antenna cable, coaxial cable, has the connectors crimped on. The outer shield is folded back over the cable insilation and the center conductor goes through the pin where it is soldered. The outer shell of the connector is crimped to make connection to the shield of the cable. I don't know how they fit a cap in there, but maybe they did back in the day...........
To me it sounds like you have a bad connection between the radio and the antenna. First disconnect each end of the cable. Use an ohm meter and check the center pin to the shield to see if the cable is shorted. Then connect one meter lead to one of the center pins and the other meter lead to the other pin (you may have to use some extra wire to make the leads reach. You should have close to zero ohms (unless there is a cap in series with the center lead) then do the same measurement with the outer part of each connector. I would expect you should see continuity from center pin to center pin and shield to shield. If you do, then the cable is good and your problem is probably at the base of the antenna either at the connector or where the center pin of the connector actually connects to the antenna mast.
You can also try this. Remove the cable from the antenna and connect a 10ft or so length of wire to the center pin of the coaxial cable. If the cable is good, the radio should play correctly. If it does, then the problem is definitly in the antenna.
Once you get a good antenna going, your radio should work just fine.
Let us know what you find.
Tom1958, 283/245, White/red - Top Flight, October 2016
1960, Black/black, 283/230 4sp
1966, Black/Red, 327/350 4sp w/AC
1967, 427/390, 4sp, Goodwood Green, Coupe
1971 LS5, 4sp, coupe, Bridgehampton Blue
2007 Z06, Lemans Blue
Newsletter Editor, Delaware Valley ChapterComment
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