C2 antenna Cable

[Joseph U.]

Is there anyway to check the integrity of the antenna cable. I have replaced the rear wiring harness on 66 coup and in doing so I removed the grommet and the antenna is out, now is the time to replace the antenna cable if it needs it (but if it works why spend the $$$). The car is apart, dash out and radio out so just hooking it up is not an option. The current cable looks ok - but looks can be deceiving. Any ideas or should I just spend the $$ and forgetaboutit.
Thanks,
Joe

[Jerry R.]

Re: C2 antenna Cable

The odds are that it's good Joe but no, without test equipment there's no easy way that I can think of to check it. The wire is a special high impedance type and has a low value capacitor embedded in series with the center conductor. That means that checking for DC continuity with an ohm meter from center conductor antenna end to radio end will yield no reading (if it's OK). And, a continuity test from the center conductor to the cable shield wire will yield the same result. That being said, if you do those tests on a very high resistance scale and do find continuity, then you may have a problem. Do look over the cable for nicks in the insulation (moisture is not the friend of high impedance circuits). Hooking it up to the radio is the only reliable low tech quick check that I can think of Joe.

Jerry

[Joseph U.]

Re: C2 antenna Cable

Such an idiot I am - I keep moving my 67 roadster out of the way to work on the 66 coup rebuild, playing the radio loud - do I think to just hook up the cable to my 67 radio - no - I'm thinking conductivity tests, maybe bench test the radio, hook it up to a battery, maybe just buy a new cable - worry - blah blah blah (what a jerk) - I just took the side panel off the 67, connected the antenna wire to the 67 radio and the 66 antenna reception is great and all is fine. Took about 15 min. - Thanks for all the help for the village dumbbell.
Joe

[Jerry R.]

Re: C2 antenna Cable

That's funny Joe - you are so NOT ALONE! Technical is easy but the obvious takes a bit longer now that our brains have been retrained to make things hard.

Good to hear you saved some bucks and had fun too! _Jerry_

PS: Now, if you're married, you can justify to her why you needed the 67.

[Joseph U.]

Re: C2 antenna Cable

There you go! Dear we are so lucky to have that 67 to help with the 66 and of course you know that the 67 was just a bridge year so in reality we really need a 68 as well.
Yea - that will go over real big.
Joe

That's funny Joe - you are so NOT ALONE! Technical is easy but the obvious takes a bit longer now that our brains have been retrained to make things hard.

Good to hear you saved some bucks and had fun too! _Jerry_

PS: Now, if you're married, you can justify to her why you needed the 67.