Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hey guys,

I went to tackle the antenna problem, which all boiled down to a fuse missing, (after i took the whole thing out of the car) and now that it's back in the antenna goes up and down but i am getting absolutly nothing....weird thing is that i was getting reception with the antenna not going up and down before..did i pull somthing out? anybody have an idea on this...

When you removed or installed the antenna wire, did the connector shell rotate freely on the plug or did the wire have to turn with it. If the entire wire turned, it's possible the old insulation inside allowed the inner wire to short or break. The connector center hole on antenna is connected to mast via a small wire which could also have broken. Did you disassemble the antenna and possibly forget an insulator so mast is now grounded?

there were 4 wires...2 that went to the switch (correct) and 2 that i made as grounds...i think one of those is my problem because it looked like a new break. before i took it out i was twisting on the mast and there was no play and then i think i broke somthing...but what?

There should be a round screw on connector toward top a few inches under the fender. A round wire about 5/16 in diameter plugs into it. This is the antenna lead, screws on there and goes to radio and plugs in on side or back.

Other wire usually is either 2 conductor & no ground or sometimes 3 but one is a ground and exits somewhere to a screw and other 2 goes on to switch.

If you twisted the mast, then it is possible you broke the connection inside. There is a wire from the center point of that round connector to the mast. It is usually soldered on both ends although some brands had a clip on connection to the mast side.

If you have an ohmmeter, check continuity between the mast and threaded part of connector--there should be none. Also between the connector center conductor and screw thread part--again none. Then check between the mast and that center conductor and should be a short.

thanks..i will give it a try..i think you hit it on the nail there.

Here is what's going on...

<a href="http://s217.photobucket.com/albums/cc207/mustangmwe/?action=view?t=radio.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc207/mustangmwe/radio.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Not sure of your question but here are a few pictures of antennas and connectors. There are different types and different connectors. The important thing is the mast must make contact with the center connector and nothing else The cable is a coaxial cable, very similar to what is used on TV antennas. The outer shield has to be grounded. That is usually accomplished by the connectors at each end and a small wire exiting near the firewall opening that goes to a screw. The center conductor must not be grounded or broken. The motor lead may have a ground or the grounding may be accomplished internally and just need a good solid mount to body. If your antenna goes up/down you do not need a separate ground for the motor.

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HH, looks like everything is hooked up as it should be...i followed all of the wires to the correct locations..even made sure the coaxal is connected to the radio..It MUST be internal breakage..I screwed off the coax leading to the mast and the lead is where it should be..So I think I should take the mast out. What is the best way to dismantle the antenna to fix the break? Or is it screwed?

That's not an easy question. There are different styles you might have, with differences in disassembly. Have you used the ohm meter and verified the mast is disconnected or not shorted. Would suggest doing that and also disconnect the coax cable at radio and ohm it out & make sure it is in good shape to the radio connector before we tackle the disassembly.

EDIT: One other thing you could do is pick up an inexpensive universal antenna at Autozone etc to use just to verify your radio didn't decide to die at the same time you were working on the antenna.

Continuing where I left off. The antenna mast is the later version with the pin as shown in HH-56's JPGE # 340. I tested the antenna with a continuity meter and it registered zero and tested the radio with a portable antenna and the radio works. The antenna wire must have snapped off when I was attaching the unit. Does anyone know how to reconnect the broken internal wire and what is behind that little plate with the two screws (where the cable attaches). Hopefully without having to take the unit out again. Thanks