The PHILCO Phorum

All, I just finished the restoration of a Philco 48-475 and it plays great but I need a FM antenna.  The manual says it should have a line cord-aerial for FM.  What is this, and can I make one?
Thanks,
Keith

Back in 1948 some manufactures use one of two methods of making a non visible ant for their fm sets. One way was to use a 3 wire line cord BUT the third wire WAS NOT connected at the wall socket. It was connected to the fm ant post on the set. So what you have is an antenna wire running along with the ac mains wires but NOT connected to them.
The other way is worst. Would use a two wire cord and connect the fm antenna post THOUGH a small capacitor like 10 or 20 mmfd. Not a great idea!
You would be much better served by just using a piece of wire away from the line cord about 28" long.

Terry

I do recall a set using a metal clip around the line cord insulation and hooked directly to the FM antenna clip on the chassis.
Jerry

The 48-482 and 49-905 use that clip to the line cord antenna. On my 49-905 I ran the wire along the cord and then just wrapped a few turns around the cord about 3/4 of the way to the plug.

Thanks guys. I'll go with a separate wire. If I ran the wire along the cord I could see a future owner mistaking it for a ground and putting on a three wire plug.
Keith

Yup, the clamp worked OK, but the line cord became directional. Wouldn't pass muster today.