Questions and Answers , Tech Tips/Repairs Section => Members asking questions or showing what they have learned , not to mention bragging about what they know ! => Topic started by: Bucko on June 21, 2023, 12:45:48 PM



Title: Need ideas from the hivemind re: antenna stub extraction
Post by: Bucko on June 21, 2023, 12:45:48 PM
The upper section of the AM/FM/CB antenna broke off on my Voyager right at the 'centre load'.  I think I've found a replacement upper section, but I'm having difficulty extracting the broken off antenna stub from the centre load.  I think it's probably too small to drill.  It's stainless steel, so I'm not sure welding something to the stub is an option.  I've tried heat several times (not too much, as the inside of the centre load is plastic) to loosen things up, without success.  The aluminum part of the centre load seems to be cemented to the inside, so I can't push the stub out from the inside.

Anybody here have any suggestions?

PS: there is a set screw on the side of that aluminum collar (not shown) that locks the upper section of the antenna to the centre load, and I've tried pushing out the stub through that hole but no luck.


Title: Re: Need ideas from the hivemind re: antenna stub extraction
Post by: Hawkeye on June 21, 2023, 08:24:49 PM
Is the body of the antenna at the stub aluminum? If there isn't much ferrous metal inside, other than the stub, you might be able to dissolve the stub with alum. Plenty of videos on line dealing with that.

If it was mine, I'd likely take a steel bar about 1/4" thick and drill a hole in it just smaller than the stub, then carefully centre the hole over the stub and weld it with flux-core. Steel flux-core will weld stainless, at least some grades. That might give you a T-handle to spin the stub out. You might want to drill part-way through (from the top) with a bigger bit to make it easier to weld onto the stub.


Title: Re: Need ideas from the hivemind re: antenna stub extraction
Post by: Bucko on June 22, 2023, 09:05:37 AM
Thanks for the ideas Hawkeye