radio aerial (antenna) won't stay in position

[Richard Crowley]

"dave" wrote ...

Buy a replacement antenna.

Impractical. Almost every model has a custom-designed antenna
assembly. Even popular brands who may stock repair parts likely
charge more for them than the radio is likely worth.

 

[Richard Crowley]

"john zeiss" wrote ...

We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but surely
it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.

The small screw has been tightened up, but even as tight as we think we
can
do it without stripping the slots in the screw head, it is not enough to
*clamp* the aerial to stop it dropping down.

Basically the aerial at its base is a square shape with one small bronze
coloured washer each side of it and that all sits in a ' U ' shaped base
with it all being clamped with a small screw.

Are there any tricks you know of, to get it to behave? Thanks.

1) Remove the screw and drill out the threads. Replace with an
appropriate size screw, washer, and nut. Or use a smaller screw
and you don't have to drill out the existing threads.

2) If the radio is used in a fixed position, get a cliplead (piece of wire
with an alligator clip on the end) and clip it onto the (collapsed) radio
antenna. You could attach the wire to the furniture/cabinet to reduce
its visible impact.

IME, it is not practical to try to find an exact mechanical replacement
because those assemblies tend to be custom designs for each model
of radio equipment.

 

[Desk Rabbit]

Richard Crowley wrote:

"Desk Rabbit" wrote ...
You might as well replace the aerial with a new one. They are so cheap and
the time taken to fit a new one would be exactly the same as it would be
to make a lash up repair.

That would be a practical response *IF* one could find an exact
replacement. Alas, there are thousands of different varieties of these
things, and they tend to be custom-designed for each model. Even
if there were exact replacements in a warehouse somewhere in
central Asia, finding one and getting it shipped to you would be
far less pratical than just tossing the radio and buying a new one.

The OP said it was a Sony. Parts should be readily available for such a
major brand. That said, most of these aerials are pretty much the same
shape and size on even the cheapest brand.

 

[Desk Rabbit]

Richard Crowley wrote:

"dave" wrote ...
Buy a replacement antenna.

Impractical. Almost every model has a custom-designed antenna
assembly.

Rubbish.

Even popular brands who may stock repair parts likely
charge more for them than the radio is likely worth.

Several varieties of portable radio telescopic aerials are available
from Maplins in the UK for less than 5 pounds. There are many other
suppliers.

 

[Richard Crowley]

"Desk Rabbit" wrote ...

Richard Crowley wrote:
"Desk Rabbit" wrote ...
You might as well replace the aerial with a new one. They are so cheap
and the time taken to fit a new one would be exactly the same as it
would be to make a lash up repair.

That would be a practical response *IF* one could find an exact
replacement. Alas, there are thousands of different varieties of these
things, and they tend to be custom-designed for each model. Even
if there were exact replacements in a warehouse somewhere in
central Asia, finding one and getting it shipped to you would be
far less pratical than just tossing the radio and buying a new one.

The OP said it was a Sony. Parts should be readily available for such a
major brand. That said, most of these aerials are pretty much the same
shape and size on even the cheapest brand.

How many of these have you repaired yourself?
Or are you guessing? I'm speaking from first-hand experience.

 

[Michael Coslo]

Richard Crowley wrote:

"john zeiss" wrote ...
We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but surely
it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.

The small screw has been tightened up, but even as tight as we think we
can
do it without stripping the slots in the screw head, it is not enough to
*clamp* the aerial to stop it dropping down.

Basically the aerial at its base is a square shape with one small bronze
coloured washer each side of it and that all sits in a ' U ' shaped base
with it all being clamped with a small screw.

Are there any tricks you know of, to get it to behave? Thanks.

1) Remove the screw and drill out the threads. Replace with an
appropriate size screw, washer, and nut. Or use a smaller screw
and you don't have to drill out the existing threads.

2) If the radio is used in a fixed position, get a cliplead (piece of wire
with an alligator clip on the end) and clip it onto the (collapsed) radio
antenna. You could attach the wire to the furniture/cabinet to reduce
its visible impact.

IME, it is not practical to try to find an exact mechanical replacement
because those assemblies tend to be custom designs for each model
of radio equipment.

Another trick, depending on how the swivel is constructed, would be to
take a hammer and smash the radio to bits...... hold on, too much coffee
this morning.

Take that hammer, and maybe a nail, brace the swivel against a solid
object, and tap the other side until the swivel stiffens up a bit. It's
a temporary improvement, as the swivel will loosen again over time, but
if it's loosened anyhow, it doesn't make much difference.

- 73 de Mike N3LI -

 

[GregS]

In article <goloa7$bp4$1@news.motzarella.org>, "john zeiss" <bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote:

We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but surely
it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.

The small screw has been tightened up, but even as tight as we think we can
do it without stripping the slots in the screw head, it is not enough to
*clamp* the aerial to stop it dropping down.

Basically the aerial at its base is a square shape with one small bronze
coloured washer each side of it and that all sits in a ' U ' shaped base
with it all being clamped with a small screw.

Are there any tricks you know of, to get it to behave? Thanks.

Cyanoacrylate

 

[Ron]

GregS wrote:

In article <goloa7$bp4$1@news.motzarella.org>, "john zeiss" <bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote:
We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but surely
it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.

The small screw has been tightened up, but even as tight as we think we can
do it without stripping the slots in the screw head, it is not enough to
*clamp* the aerial to stop it dropping down.

Basically the aerial at its base is a square shape with one small bronze
coloured washer each side of it and that all sits in a ' U ' shaped base
with it all being clamped with a small screw.

Are there any tricks you know of, to get it to behave? Thanks.



Cyanoacrylate

Geez. It`s just gone a bit floppy, the spring washers have lost their
tension, it shouldn`t be beyond the wit of man to either retension them,
find an old aerial from which the springs can be salvaged or if it comes
to it, purchase a replacement aerial from which the springs can either
be used or if he`s lucky enough to find a good match, the whole twig can
be used.

Here in the UK several companies spring immediately to mind who stock
quite a good range of generic replacement aerials, a bit of fiddling
will probably result in a workable solution.

Ron

 

john zeiss wrote:

We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but surely
it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.

The small screw has been tightened up, but even as tight as we think we can
do it without stripping the slots in the screw head, it is not enough to
*clamp* the aerial to stop it dropping down.

Basically the aerial at its base is a square shape with one small bronze
coloured washer each side of it and that all sits in a ' U ' shaped base
with it all being clamped with a small screw.

Are there any tricks you know of, to get it to behave? Thanks.

 

[Richard Crowley]

"Desk Rabbit" wrote ...

Richard Crowley wrote:
"dave" wrote ...
Buy a replacement antenna.

Impractical. Almost every model has a custom-designed antenna
assembly.

Rubbish.

I've never seen two alike. Ever. Not even once.

Even popular brands who may stock repair parts likely
charge more for them than the radio is likely worth.

Several varieties of portable radio telescopic aerials are available from
Maplins in the UK for less than 5 pounds. There are many other suppliers.

Certainly. And there are lots of them available over on my side of the
pond as well. But they are all "NOS, annonymous surplus". Nobody
knows which radios they fit, and I've never been lucky enough to find
one that fits any radio needing a new antenna. Perhaps you don't have
as many different radios in your world, or you are more lucky than me.

 

[Richard Crowley]

"Michael Coslo" wrote ...

Take that hammer, and maybe a nail, brace the swivel against a solid
object, and tap the other side until the swivel stiffens up a bit.

Safer to use a BIG pair of pliers (with lots of leverage) and squeeze it
hard.
Hammers and electronics inside plastic are something I try to avoid.

 

On Wed, 4 Mar 2009 11:22:44 -0000, "john zeiss"
<bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote:

We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but surely
it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.

The small screw has been tightened up, but even as tight as we think we can
do it without stripping the slots in the screw head, it is not enough to
*clamp* the aerial to stop it dropping down.

Basically the aerial at its base is a square shape with one small bronze
coloured washer each side of it and that all sits in a ' U ' shaped base
with it all being clamped with a small screw.

Are there any tricks you know of, to get it to behave? Thanks.

If you can locate a spring of the appropriate diameter and strength
just slip it on and it should assist in your problem

 

[§ńühw¤Łf]

In message <goloa7$bp4$1@news.motzarella.org>, "john zeiss" wrote:

We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but surely
it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.

The small screw has been tightened up, but even as tight as we think we can
do it without stripping the slots in the screw head, it is not enough to
*clamp* the aerial to stop it dropping down.

Basically the aerial at its base is a square shape with one small bronze
coloured washer each side of it and that all sits in a ' U ' shaped base
with it all being clamped with a small screw.

Are there any tricks you know of, to get it to behave? Thanks.


Dose it up with some Loctite thread locker.

Easy Peasy.

--
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people
by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and
sudden usurpations.... The means of defense against foreign danger historically
have become the instruments of tyranny at home."
-James Madison

 

[DNA]

Richard Crowley <rcrowley@xp7rt.net> wrote:

"DNA" wrote...
philo wrote:
If you are able to work carefully :

That's an understatement before I even read the next bit of your
witches brew.

Remove the screw, then ...with a high-quality drill bit...
drill a hole all the way through...just slightly larger than the
original hole..

You are kidding right? You know exactly how hard that would be to do.
There would be bearly enough meat on that as it is, let alone the
chance of the drill bit biting into what is there and breaking the
union - he'd have to resort to some metal to metal bonding glue and
some duct tape by the end of it all.

What were you thinking?

I've done exactly this repair myself (to more than one radio).
This is a proven and practical repair technique.

Dunno what "DNA" is thinking?

shhhh! I'm a huntin' wabbit.

 

[chuckcar]

philo <philo@privacy.net> wrote in
news:3LqdnYiYBrIg5TPUnZ2dnUVZ_s3inZ2d@ntd.net:

john zeiss wrote:
We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but
surely it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.


If you are able to work carefully :

Remove the screw, then ...with a high-quality drill bit...
drill a hole all the way through...just slightly larger than the
original hole..

Then get a high-grade screw and nut...Use a Nylon Lock nut and you
should then be able to tighten the antenna enough so that it will no
longer tilt.

The problem doesn't seem to be the screw itself. As the OP said they can
tighten the screw as hard as they dare.

--
(setq (chuck nil) car(chuck) )

 

[Bill Wright]

I've never seen such a set of ludicrous and impractical suggestions. The
solution is simple. Go to a birthday party and obtain one or more gas-filled
balloons. Attach a balloon to the tip of the aerial. This will hold it up,
and will also look nice.
Bill

 

[jakdedert]

JIMMIE wrote:

On Mar 4, 6:22 am, "john zeiss" <blues...@mail.invalid> wrote:
We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but surely
it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.

The small screw has been tightened up, but even as tight as we think we can
do it without stripping the slots in the screw head, it is not enough to
*clamp* the aerial to stop it dropping down.

Basically the aerial at its base is a square shape with one small bronze
coloured washer each side of it and that all sits in a ' U ' shaped base
with it all being clamped with a small screw.

Are there any tricks you know of, to get it to behave? Thanks.

I had one do this. It was caused by wear from folding and unfolding
the antenna. I think the problem started when the chrome plating was
worn off the base metal. About the only thing you can do short of
replacing the antenna s to shim it where it hindges. I used a piece of
brass shim stock I had on and. Most hobby shops carry it. There may be
worn hardware such as washers that can be replaced.

Jimmie

The problem is with the small brass washers. They've worn down over
time and are not as thick as they used to be. Also, they've been
polished to slickness by all the moving. Find replacements or at least
rough them up a bit, and squeeze the fitting a bit as other respondents
have suggested.

jak

 

[isw]

In article <goloa7$bp4$1@news.motzarella.org>,
"john zeiss" <bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote:

We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but surely
it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.

The small screw has been tightened up, but even as tight as we think we can
do it without stripping the slots in the screw head, it is not enough to
*clamp* the aerial to stop it dropping down.

Basically the aerial at its base is a square shape with one small bronze
coloured washer each side of it and that all sits in a ' U ' shaped base
with it all being clamped with a small screw.

Are there any tricks you know of, to get it to behave? Thanks.

The pivot may be "lubricated" with powdered metal, derived from the
material itself (probably plated brass). Take the joint apart, clean it
thoroughly with solvent and/or detergent plus scrubbing, *lubricate it*,
and reassemble.

Isaac

 

[Sal M. Onella]

"john zeiss" <bluestar@mail.invalid> wrote in message
news:goloa7$bp4$1@news.motzarella.org...

We have a small portable sony radio, and it has the usual type of
extendable aerial (antenna) that you get on small japanese radios.

It now refuses to maintain its position at an *angle*. Slowly but surely
it drops down until it reaches the horizontal position.

The small screw has been tightened up, but even as tight as we think we
can
do it without stripping the slots in the screw head, it is not enough to
*clamp* the aerial to stop it dropping down.

Basically the aerial at its base is a square shape with one small bronze
coloured washer each side of it and that all sits in a ' U ' shaped base
with it all being clamped with a small screw.

Are there any tricks you know of, to get it to behave? Thanks.

It used to be OK, right? What may have changed is that the mating pieces
have been polished by repeated movement and they are now quite slick and
smooth.

If so, you take them apart and rough up the mating surfaces. This restores
what one of my witty friends called "stiction," a combination of "sticky"
and "friction."

I have some dental picks that I might use for scratching the smooth surfaces
to restore the lost stiction. A large sewing needle or the tip of a steak
knife could work, too. Sandpaper wrapped around the tip of a nail file? An
Emory board?

 

[Ron]

Bill Wright wrote:

I've never seen such a set of ludicrous and impractical suggestions. The
solution is simple. Go to a birthday party and obtain one or more gas-filled
balloons. Attach a balloon to the tip of the aerial. This will hold it up,
and will also look nice.
Bill

Nooooo silly suggestion, you`ll have Elf and Safety down on you before
you can say Jack Robinson, and the Greenie environmental lot chewing you
out for using latex balloons.

What were you thnking!

Ron