Variometer wire to antenna

[James D Teel II]

What fitting do I need for the underside of the No8 antenna base in order to fit the wire from my variometer? Is it one of those Lucas type pointed screws that just press fits the wire inside the threaded tube?

I’d post a photo but I keep getting an error message.

[David Dunlop]

Sounds like you are missing the donut and plate assemblies the No. 8 Aerial Base rests on, and if so, you will so need a pigtail connector to make it all work.

David

[James D Teel II]

Thanks for your reply, David. Here's what I have. I had to come home to my computer to make the photos work.

[James D Teel II]

Here are the other photos I have of the actual base.

[Bruce MacMillan]

It's called connector, pigtail, No. 1, ZA1868. It's about 7 cm in length and the screw portion measures as a #10-32 thread.

[James D Teel II]

Thanks, Bruce. Does that then connect to the back of the variometer or do I need yet another fitting? That seems awfully short.

[Bruce MacMillan]

There is another part called a feeder assy. There are various types depending on the installation. Usually consists of a plate that attaches to the aerial base using the six screws that hold the assy together. This plate has a fitting with a screw to attach the pigtail. The feeder assy has leads of various lengths for various vehicles. If you don't already have it you should get a copy of FZ256 which shows the different types.

[James D Teel II]

Thanks. I have the feeder assembly, but it’s missing the pigtail.

I’m always searching for manuals. They’re hard to find here in Oklahoma.

[Chris Suslowicz]

Originally Posted by James D Teel II

Thanks. I have the feeder assembly, but it’s missing the pigtail.

I’m always searching for manuals. They’re hard to find here in Oklahoma.

Which feeder (and also which mounting and adapter plate) you need is very much dependent on the application. There are at least 9 different aerial feeders, two basic connector plates, and a wide variety of different mountings in existence.

The mounting shown further up the thread is a "through the roof" one for an AFV, and uses "aerial feeder No.4" for thin armour or No.5 for thicker armour. Those feeders have a threaded pipe with nut and lock washer, fit to the variometer (there are a few spacing components involved), the pipe goes through the turret (typically) roof and the central hole in the aerial base mounting and is secured by the lock washer and nut, holding everything in place as a single unit. The pigtail then connects the aerial base to the screw on the centre of the feeder and the base is then attached with the six screws.

Universal carriers use different feeders, Jeep installs are something else again, as are wireless trucks, and it all gets extremely complicated - particularly if you can't find the original fitting instructions for your vehicle and have to work it out from photographs and guesses.

What are you fitting the set into?

Best regards,
Chris.

[James D Teel II]

Hi Chris,

I’m putting this in my jeep. I keep getting upload errors from my phone, otherwise, I’d show everyone what I’m doing.

[James D Teel II]

Here’s how it looks so far.