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Radio wont play on the bench. Took it back to my radio guy and it plays perfectly on his bench. Turns out my brand new antenna is bad. Bought it in 06 so can't return it. What can go wrong with an antenna? This thing is brand new and I thought about trying to repair it but what should I look for? I don't have continuity from the center pin on the plug to the antenna shaft. I do have continuity from the plug housing to the mounting base. Is this normal? Can somebody help? Truckernix? Denny?


Weeds

No magic in the antenna Richard, basically it's just a piece of wire that the radio waves
cross over inducing a very small voltage in the wire.
I've gotten Toronto, Canada down in my basement here in Sandwich, IL on all of the half
dozen AD radios that I've restored in the past few years. All I've got under ground for an
antenna is a length of #22ga. wire stapled up across a few floor joists
You obviously have an open somewhere in the antenna lead.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
-

Just as Denny said, you have an open in your lead in. You should see continuity between the center of the plug and the antenna itself.

I am gonna attack this thing. Can't hurt it any. I am going to clip the plug off and see if I can get continuity on what remains. Maybe just needs a little re-soldering. Anyway its no good the way it is. Is this a good approach? What do you guys think?

Weeds

The toughest part is getting the wire and solder out of the center portion. You might try hooking the ohm meter up and bending the lead a little along the length to see if you can find the problem. However, I would suspect the problem to be at one of the ends.

Oh, next time you have a problem with the radio reception and you want to test it, just take about four feet of hookup wire, bare a 1/4", insert it into the center of the antenna receptacle and try the radio.

On one of the re-pop antennas I had, on the end of the cable that went into the antenna the male plug was a different size, it was too small. I just ended up bending it to make contact, other wise the radio would cut out when I hit a bump. You wouldn't believe how many bumps there are in the road when you drive a 1 Ton. It sounded like Run DMC had re-mixed my Perry Como.

I'm sure you'd have noticed that though, when putting it together, this was just my experience.

Thanks guys for all the comments. I have discovered that the lead in at the base of the antenna does not contact the antenna shaft. I destroyed the insulator getting it apart and had to turn a new one. I am assembling it this morning to see if I have fixed it. I hope it works and I can install the radio. I will test everything on the bench before going ahead because the radio install looks like a bear to accomplish and I only want to do it once. It looks like the electric wiper upgrade will not be in the way.

Weeds

I don't find the radio install all that bad. the worst part for me is getting it up into the dash. I have to pop the Y off the heater and move the gearshift and handbrake during the procedure. I then slide each nut in from the side in the lip of the dash and start the bolts. The antenna is a bit awkward to get on too. The other thing is it is easy to scratch the top or sides of the bezel on the dash. I try and make the worst case that the bottom of the bezel gets scratched cause nobody sees the bottom.

Fred, I got the antenna fixed and installed the radio. The holes in the bottom of the radio do not line up with the holes in the bottom of the dash. They are about a 1/4" off. I need to push the bottom of the radio out and away from the dash but no matter how I try I cant get it to move. I have even tried to move it with the upper bezels loose. No go. I am now trying to get the radio out but it is stuck fast. I want to get it out so I can maybe re-drill the holes in the bottom of the dash or at least try to figure out why the holes don't line up. Any suggestions as to what I might be doing wrong? I made the spacers using Denny's drawing but there doesn't seem to be enough room for them. Appreciate any help.


Weeds

Hi,
like I mentioned, I have seen trucks where the spacers are too thick and that is why I don't buy them. I have all my radios packed away right now because I am renovating my repair area. If I remember correctly, one of the model of radios has external metal pieces that are threaded for the bolts and the other model has them built into the case. I may be thinking of another type of radio. Anyways, with the top controls loose in the dash, pushing up on the radio should allow you to swing it in the vertical to get the holes lined up. That is about all I can think of at the moment.

Take a look at this page Richard, I had to pull the radio out of my ‘50 to service the on/off
switch so I took some measurements for the lower mount. This one happens to be a
straight back and I believer the original accessory for 1950 would have been a slant back
but other than the back cover they mount exactly the same.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/986443_radio_truck

Been having trouble with my pbase album not displaying some pictures, let me know if
you have a problem viewing them.

By the way Fred, ya'll don't happen to have a spare ON/OFF/VOLUME/TONE control in
your stash you would be willing to sell, do ya huh?????
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

If you look at the side contour of the two radios, they are different. However, the mounting is the same. I think Weeds is having a problem getting the bottom holes to line up front to back so to speak. I don't think he has a problem with the distance between the holes.

Fred and Denny, I manhandled the radio back out of the dash. I took the speaker grille off the dash to get a better look at what my problem might be. Turns out the back edge of the dash was bent up in 2 spots preventing the radio from seating properly on the spacers. Bent it back down and the radio went right in like magic. I am ready to drill the hole for the antenna. You guys know if there is a template for locating the hole? I want to drill it only once and in the right place. Thanks for all the help.


Weeds

That is great news! There is a template for the antenna and normally it comes with the unit when you buy it. the locations is very crtical because if it is out of place, the hood could hit it. I will see if i have a copy. If you get a copy to print out, make sure that it is scaled properly. You can tell by the size of the hole.

Fred

Thanks Fred, a template would be handy.

Weeds

Does anyone have the template for mounting the antenna on an AD truck? I am having a problem finding mine.

Here is an article on Jim Carter's site about the antenna mounting. Jim Carter Antenna Article

CAUTION!!!!!!! Be real careful Richard, Fred is right on when it comes to hood clearance. Even installed in the correct
location it's a close fit.

If I remember correctly Alvin had a similar concern about installing an antenna on his '52 Panel. https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...Words=antenna&Search=true#Post692431

I'm pretty sure I have a template also, I just got a new one for my '54 last year. I'll take a look, no hurry, we got all winter
ahead of us.


Denny G

Weeds,
I have sent you an Email with the template I have. I hope you aren't as nervous as I was drilling a hole into a nice painted surface!

Fred

I am having quite the time finding things on our new conmputer with Windows 7 !!! It has been about a month since I switched over and I am not a happy camper!

What Fred and Denny said! The clearance is tight. I must have stood there with the drill for a couple of minutes before I pulled the trigger and cut the hole. You go to all that trouble, priming, filling, sanding, painting and then, pound a big hole into it!

I have a plug in my fender because a previous owner drilled in the wrong place.
++ Drilled on the passenger side instead of the drivers side.
++ Drilled too close to the hood opening.

I installed an antenna into the hole; got it standing straight; looked good --- then I raised the hood. Rats! I put the plug back in.

Antenna template from Tim Lederman's site:
> Antenna template .pdf
> Template with ruler

Fred: Is Tim's .pdf of the template the actual size? EDIT: Never mind. I printed it out and measured the hole. It is 13/16" diam ... the .pdf is full size.

1951 Radio Service Manuals
> Chevrolet
> GM AUTORADIO

LonnieC,
that is the same one that I have. The problem I find is that when I print it out, it may not be the correct size. However if the hole measures to the indiscated size, i would think that is a good sign. This is the time when some discover that there is bondo on their original truck!

My antenna hole is on the passenger side, on the cowl. The heater is not in yet, nor is the radio, all work for January. I guess I need to keep my fingers crossed.

I sympathize with ya Fred, I hate it every time I'm forced into upgrading to a new version of software. So whiz kid programer
alway thinks he has a better way of displaying things and it take a month or more to figure out where he put all the controls.


Hey, speeking of controls how bout that ON/OFF/TONE/VOLUME control, any chance you got a spare???????

DG

Denny,
sorry, I don't have a spare and all my radio stuff is packed up right now. I have though bought the tuner portion of a 1950 Chev radio for a small sum and used the control. It has the switched tone arrangement.

Fred

Fred -

Print Tim's .pdf of the antenna template at "Page Scaling ... None". The image was scanned at 100% and it will print at 100%.

Okey dokey Fred, thanks anyway, I'll keep on a lookin'.

Denny G

All you guys are the greatest resource a doofus like me could have. Thanks a bunch.


Weeds

Well from one doofus to another, have a merry one Richard.

DG

You too Denny, Fred, Lonnie, leo, Christopher.

weeds

My wishes to all of you for a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Fred

Radio and antenna are installed and the radio plays great. Thanks to all you guys. The frosting on the cake is that all my kids (6) went together and got me an I-Pod for Christmas. This thing is amazing. I have loaded all my big band I-Tunes on it and it plays through the Sub radio. It also has an FM tuner so now I can get FM stations on my AM Sub radio. Its not 10 speaker stereo but it is good listening anyway. I will be able to listen to my Chicago Cubs throughout the coming season and when they win the World Series.

Weeds

In your dreams...

That is great news. If the Cubs don't come through for you, don't take it out on the truck!

Fred

What are you, some kind of turn coat Richard, what ever happened to the home town Milwaukee Brewers??????

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Hey Leo, I can dream can't I?
Denny, I was a MILWAUKEE Braves fan before they went South. Forced me to become a Cubs fan. I think we may be getting a little off topic here. Don't want to arouse the moderator.

Weeds

Oh I think our moderator is a little more laid back than some of them, it taint like this is the busiest forum goin'. I mean heck, I've been lookn' for a on/off replacement for my '50 for five years and haven't had any luck, like I said, not the busiest place on earth.

Besides, you've got your problem solved, right? And you can pull in Nashville and Toronto now, so there isn't much else to talk about.

DG

Denny, I have received your check. After taking a 2nd look at the gages I hope the money was well spent. The turn signal switch was removed from my Sub as were the gages. The turn signal switch could have been a dealer installed option although there is no way to tell. I look at this stuff as junk and I know you look at it as rebuildable. It has probably gone to a good home. What exactly kind of radio switch are you looking for? My radio guy might have one. He has a whole basement full of stuff. I don't know if he would part with any of it but it might be worth a try.

Weeds

I can probably use some of the parts out of the gauges and I
might be able to restore the four wire directonal signal switch
to use on an AD although I've got a Signal Stat seven wire for
it now.

The switch for all the AD radios are three gang switches.
An on/off section, a tone control section and a volume control
section. I'd sure appreciate it if you could enquire about it,
I've been looking for one for quite a while.
Denny G

Denny G

I will check it out.


Weeds