Replacing coaxial TV aerial plug

Manxman_in_exile

Hi again

We're decorating the living room and had to unplug and move TV etc.  The aerial plug from the roof was plugged into a Sony Freeview box that hasn't been touched for years.  The plug was jammed solid (looked like corrosion or other chemical reaction) and had to remove with pliers during which I stripped plug off the end of the cable.  Plug completely bu99ered.

I thought easy enough to replace myself and looked at a couple of youtube videos.  Went to Homebase and picked up a couple of plugs.  Tried to fit one this morning but having problems.  The plug I bought looks exactly like the one I'm replacing (I think!), but the metal sheath/male part of the plug which carries the central copper cable is capped, whereas from what I've seen it ought to be uncapped and "tubelike" (presumably so the copper cable makes a good connection).  It's a Ross plug I bought and I think it's this one:

http://www.ross.uk/uk/av-cables-and-accessories/coaxial-cables-and-connectors/cp2

You can see the "cap" about halfway down the image on the righthand side.

If I've bought the wrong connector it's not a problem as it was only a couple of quid and lesson learned, but does anybody have any advice or suggestions?

(PS - it's a very old cable, over 25 years, and doesn't have a name or number on it.  But the copper cable at the core seems in good nick and I don't think it's copper coated steel or anything.  The copper braiding looks a bit threadbare compared to what I've seen on Youtube.  Oh - it's also a non-smart Freeview TV and the old Sony box is being binned - which is a pity as it's probably the best Freeview tuner we ever had but 15+ years old)

Neil49

The uncapped ones allow you to solder the inner wire to the connector. It's not essential so I would just assemble it making sure that the outer braiding is not touching the central core (which will ideally go well down into the plug). 

Manxman_in_exile

OK - thanks.  I wondered if I should just go ahead and see if it worked, but thought it might be better to ask here first.  I suppose it just means I have to be more careful cutting the copper cable to about the right length as I won't be able snip it off after I've assembled the plug.

I notice on some of the Youtube videos they put a slight bend on the central core.  Is this to give a good contact if not soldering?

One thing I forgot to mention.  The "capped" sheath/male bit also has a tiny Phillips head screw on the side of it, going into the hollow bit inside.  I presume that's to hold the central core more securely or to improve the connection?  I haven't noticed it on any of the videos I've seen.

Will try it out later.  Thanks again

wongataa

Manxman_in_exile said:

I notice on some of the Youtube videos they put a slight bend on the central core.  Is this to give a good contact if not soldering?

Yes it is.

Rodders53

That design allows the centre core to be gripped and make a good contact under the screw.  No need for wavy centre or very long centre conductor.

They are actually carp but you have them, DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN the screw (they can strip the thread) screw it in firmly but not too hard.

Manxman_in_exile

I suspect they are carp but only cost a couple of quid.  Any recommendation for something better?

flashg67

Manxman_in_exile said:

I suspect they are carp but only cost a couple of quid.  Any recommendation for something better?

I've used them for years - considering how little they get moved.unplugged, not convinced it's worth spending any more? 

Manxman_in_exile

I'm inclined to agree!  I've been diverted this evening and will ahve to fix it tomorrow now!

Rodders53

Yep not worth going for anything else until they give problems. 
Carpness is to do with screw thread stripping (and general flimsy construction of Ross branded stuff).

Manxman_in_exile

Hi

Thanks everybody for your contributions.  Got it replaced no problem and it's probably my imagination but it looks a better picture(!).

Just one problem - and it's probably me being stupid.  Before we started decorating, the aerial signal fed direct into a Panasonic tuner/DVD/VHS, which then connected via Scart cable to our Toshiba TV.  (So we could record on VHS - don't laugh at the back! - while watching something else on the TV tuner).  Because we're still decorating I've not bothered to set up everything again, I've just tested the aerial connection by plugging it straight into the TV.  The picture is ok (if not better) and the channel numbers display, but it won't show any programme information or programme guide.  Am I missing something?  Do I need to do a channel scan?

To make it more complicated (sorry) we hardly ever use the TV's tuner these days because the buttons on the remote are f'd so we watch everything using the signal from the tuner in the DVD/VHS - which of course I haven't tried yet with the new aerial connection.

So should this sort itself out on Monday when I hook up the DVD/VHS, or do you think I'll still have a problem?

Thanks again guys

DCFC79

Try a channel scan or a retune.