Glue for antenna

[Jeff]

Hi everyone,

I am starting a restore on a GE C352 radio. Right off the bat the loop antenna is falling off the back cover of the radio. I don’t want to dissolve the varnish on the antenna or have the glue pull the varnish off the antenna. What kind of glue should I use to stick the antenna back on?

Thanks, Jeff

[Rob Uthe]

I’ve used silicone based glue to re-attach loop antennas in the past, and I never had any trouble. However, these were sets that I didn’t place too much value in other than keeping the loop attached. I don’t know what a few decades will do to the wire or the varnish, especially if it is a nice set that you want to keep looking good.

[Peter Heembrock]

Hi Guys,

If one uses silicon based glue make sure it is neutral cure ( non acidic cure ) otherwise some corrosion of the copper wire in the loop may occur…I found a web site that talks about this:

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/18525/what-kind-of-glue-should-i-use-for-pcb-mounted-components-to-avoid-vibrations

Note that the silicone rubber used MUST be neutral cure where electronics or corrosion sensitive components are used. “Normal” SR is acid cure and releases acetic acid during setting (smells like vinegar). This is “not too bad” in many cases but can cause corrosion in sensitive applications.
Neutral cure silicone rubbers are widely available, and cost little if any extra. Most are “Oxeme” cure and release oxemes and methyl alcohol. The former may cause corrosion of bare copper. Oxeme cure not suitable for polycarbonate – use alcohol cure.

[Rob Uthe]

That’s something that had not occurred to me, Peter, and you are completely correct. Always nice to learn something new.

[Author]

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