Radio Antenna Connectors

[Salvagedcircuit]

I have a base model comanche that did not feature a radio or speakers. The antenna cable was still included inside the dash with the cable ending near the passenger foot well. The previous owner used a 3rd party antenna instead that had one continuous cable from the outside antenna to a standard motorola antenna radio plug. The external antenna was sheared off at the base when I purchased the truck.

 

I was able to source an original jeep antenna and install it, but it uses a very strange plug that does not come close to mating with the factory jeep radio antenna cable. I would not mind removing this cable, but it seems to be screwed into the back of the dash and I have no intention of pulling the dash to get to the screw.

 

I found another period correct antenna and it does mate, but the outer shielding does not mate at all, just the center pin.

 

Does anyone know anything about these mating plugs?

 

Alternative solutions:

-Cut off both connectors and use an RG-58 / RG-59 crimping tool with a coax coupler.

-Replace the entire antenna cable assembly with a better coaxial wire of the same characteristic impedance, possibly RG-6.

 

Anyone want to help me play the game of name that connector AMC got cheap at a warehouse firesale?

 

Thanks a ton!

 

 

[Salvagedcircuit]

If anyone has photos of their radio antenna connectors, that would also be super helpful

So far, these are the only references to different radio connectors

 

 

[Irvingwashington]

I don't know if this helps but my dielectric core on one side of the connector crumbled when i disconnected it. rg59 fits but its a pain in the @$$, the dielectric insulation is so soft its hard to get a connecter on. Also the conductor is so tiny, not sure i trust a barrel splice for long, or any connector really. Might explain why most cars radio reception sucks after 5-10 years.

 

I'm a few weeks from putting the radio back in but when i do i might bodge together a rg6 line straight to the antenna, just because my antenna mount and shielding are pretty crusty. Will post if i do.

[Salvagedcircuit]

4 hours ago, Irvingwashington said:

I don't know if this helps but my dielectric core on one side of the connector crumbled when i disconnected it. rg59 fits but its a pain in the @$$, the dielectric insulation is so soft its hard to get a connecter on. Also the conductor is so tiny, not sure i trust a barrel splice for long, or any connector really. Might explain why most cars radio reception sucks after 5-10 years.

 

I'm a few weeks from putting the radio back in but when i do i might bodge together a rg6 line straight to the antenna, just because my antenna mount and shielding are pretty crusty. Will post if i do.

 

Wow, this is incredibly useful information. That center conductor does look very thin. Dang. I think I'll investigate creating an RG-6 direct line.

 

Thanks a ton!

 

 

 

[Irvingwashington]

No problem, It was on my list of things to look at too. Rockauto has some generic antennas with 5 foot leads for 14 bucks, I might just give one a try when I get around to it.

I'm sure the quality isn't great but i might not be able to disassemble the stock antenna base to get rg6 on there either. If i do ill post here and let you know.