broke my antenna

[cassidy1190]

I have a discone antenna from Radio Shack. By accident I snapped off one of the top elements of the antenna(not the low band antenna). Would it be worth getting a new antenna or will this thing still work?

 

[mciupa]

I snapped off one of the top elements of the antenna... will this thing still work?

I imagine it is still okay.
Are you not hearing something now that you heard before the unfortunate incident.

 

[twolf816]

if your handy with a soldering iron, it might work. solder it together and put some electrical tape around it good. then see how your reception is

 

[DaveH]

What kind of material is it (steel, aluminum?), where exactly did it break, and how good are you with tools? I suspect a soldering iron isn't going help in this case.

If it's broken right where the thread is, you might be able to cut it off and rethread it (or have someone else do that). The radial would be shorter, but I doubt you'd notice much if any difference. You could probably remove every second radial, and notice some moderate degradation. The antenna is still good, it will not suddenly stop working due to this.

Alternatively, you might be able to order a replacement part (never done it myself).

Dave

 

[ScanManQSL]

Just putting my 2 cents in

Few months ago I accidentally broke one of the elements off of my RS 20-176. It broke right at the threads leaving a small stub stuck in the base. The element can easily be rethreading by using a Tap & Die Set. I was lucky enough I had one on hand and was able to fix it. Today, you could not tell the antenna was broken.

Tap & Die Set

 

[cassidy1190]

Im not sure weather its aluminum or steel. It was actualy one of the botton radials and it broke right at the thread. I can't recieve some of my trunked systems(800MHz) as good as before now, which makes me a little disapointed. Im still getting local stuff and all my milair though. Where could I order a replacement or a Tap & Die Set.

 

[loumaag]

That is a known problem with the RS Discone. They will all break off eventually. This has been discussed many times in the forum about that antenna. It is cheaply made and the the hollow tubes pressed on to a soft metal screw (I don't even think it is steel) is the weakest point on the antenna.

If you like the discone antenna, next time buy a Diamond.

 

[DaveH]

Just putting my 2 cents in
The element can easily be rethreading by using a Tap & Die Set.

That's a pretty fancy looking set. I get by with a more basic version. An 800MHz ground-plane I picked up at RS for $10 on clearance (years ago) had one mis-threaded radial. I didn't want to take it back because it was well worth the money, and I would only get my money back. The radial is small-diameter steel and quite difficult to grip, even in a vise. It all worked out though.

For future reference, do most discones have SAE or metric threads (particularly the betetr ones like Diamond)?

Dave

 

[ScanManQSL]

The radial is small-diameter steel and quite difficult to grip, even in a vise. It all worked out though.

I had oil on my hands during the rethreading process and could not get a good grip; I ended up using a few C-Clamps. I didn’t bother from using the vise I thought it would leave small scratches in the metal.

Do most discones have SAE or metric threads?

Im not exactly sure what standard they use for discones. For the RS 20-176 I believe I used a SAE Die, I wasn’t really paying attention if it was Metric or SAE, I was more in finding the right size that would fit the threads perfectly.


-Ben-

 

[loumaag]

I am a little confused by some of the above comments.

1. In reference to the RS Discone, you can't rethread something that doesn't exist. The only threaded part is a small metal headless screw that is pressed (crimpped) at the end of the hollow element. No repair possible unless you can come up with a way to replace the little metal do-dad and re-crimp it in the end of the tube.

2. Diamond discones are not threaded at all. They are solid aluminum rods with slight indents where the hex screws set up against them to hold them in place, a much sturdier method of construction.

The RS VHF/UHF antenna that ScanManQSL repaired is a all steel construction and a great little antenna, but it bears no relation whatsoever to the sorry construction of the RS Discone.

I own all of these antennas and the biggest waste of money was the RS Discone. The best value is the RS VHF/UHF Scanner antenna (RS# 20-176) and I own several of those. Use them for my 144/440 Ham radio too.

 

[cassidy1190]

Well here is what I did. I took the little thread and realized that it in fact did not snap but just popped out. I crimped it back in a soldered it just in case. Whay a piece of crap this thing is. If I ever get a discone I'll go with the diamond one. I researched it online and looks much more well made than mine. Thanks for all your help and input. I really appreciate it.