HT200 antenna question

[dvpman]

Hello,

Found a HT200 VHF while cleaning out a box that was being trashed @ work. Inside one very old HT200 with no antenna. After looking at it for longer than 5 minutes, I think this has a telescopic antenna. Only problem, I can't get it to extend.

Can anyone help here?

Thanks,

Mike

[WB6NVH]

Originally they were supplied with a telescopic antenna which had a teardrop shaped tip. Later the rigid whip, "dribble" and now common "Heliflex" antennas were marketed. The antenna threads into a hole on top and there is a well which holds the telescopic rod piece. The "dribble" was a vinyl coated wire which just hung loose alongside the radio and fastened to a bolt threaded into the antenna socket with a right-angle bend.

Remember that the UHF telescopic whip is only about 6" long and is just one section which pulls out. The VHF one pulls out to 18". If you think it's seized up, you should be able to unthread it and remove it to see why, then maybe Liquid-Wrench, Break-Free or something similar would work.

[Tom in D.C.]

And while you're at it see if you can get the back off of the radio so
you can see what's going on inside with the antenna. This might make
the whole project simpler and easier.

[WB6NVH]

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, taking the back off isn't going to show anything because the antenna well is a molded plastic tube and there's nothing exposed inside.