radio aerial (antenna) won't stay in position

[john zeiss]

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.

 

[Whiskers]

Does this radio live in a kitchen? If so, you may want to unscrew it
from its base and degrease the two parts - I suspect cooking-based
lubrication.

d

If that doesn't work (and you manage not to lose the washers), there is
probably wear that needs 'taking up' - an old-fashioned hardware shop, or
an electrical/electronic repair shop, should be able to supply replacement
washers. A temporary make-shift shim using paper or aluminium foil
/might/ work.

I've seen replacement aerials on sale too, in case all else fails.

 

[Desk Rabbit]

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 washers are spring washers which provide a degree of tension so that
the screw doesn't need to be over tight and thus allows the movement.
Over tightening the screw will flatten the washers and ruin them. I'd
suggest seeking replacement washers or a new aerial which might be easier.

 

[DNA]

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?

 

[Keyser Söze]

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.

Get some garden wire, the gauge you need to apply a bit of force to to get
it into the shape and position you want.

Then, place the wire through the mounting holes and the aerial (hook the
end) and simply wind the wire around the aerial until you've covered the
fitting and above - you could even wind the wire back down to double up on
strength and flexibility.

At least that way you are still able to adjust the aerial should you need
to - And if done well, it won't look too much like a ham-fisted job.

 

[newshound]

You are kidding right?

I've done it myself. Seems a perfectly reasonably suggestion, provided you
have the right tools and some small nuts and bolts.

 

[Desk Rabbit]

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.

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.

 

[DNA]

I've done it myself. Seems a perfectly reasonably suggestion,
provided you have the right tools and some small nuts and bolts.

That the OP is posting for help on such a matter should indicate he is
unlikely to have the smarts to do that, and if he did, he'd probably drill
himself to death.

Personally, I don't know why he doesn't just get the welding kit out of the
shed and go at it with that.

 

[DNA]

Well, now you're just being silly!

he wants it to still be adjustable.



Ron 98

Good 'flash' point! Perhaps he could ask his wife to flambé it with jelly,
but I wouldn't know where to start, other than to ask the question on some
newsgroup.

;->

 

[JIMMIE]

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

 

[Richard Crowley]

"DNA" wrote...

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


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?

 

[Richard Crowley]

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.

 

[tony sayer]

That the OP is posting for help on such a matter should indicate he is
unlikely to have the smarts to do that, and if he did, he'd probably drill
himself to death.

Personally, I don't know why he doesn't just get the welding kit out of the
shed and go at it with that.

Can't you just bodge it with a bit of sticky tape around it to hold it
upright ... or more upright;?..

 

[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]

...

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]

"dave" wrote ...

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 ...

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]

"john zeiss" wrote ...

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]

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