Vintage Antenna TV Wire Connector

[Console User]

Does anyone out there still have the old style clothespin looking connector that went on the back of the TV that had your antenna wire on it to make your picture on the TV? I would like to find an extra one.

[Jon A.]

You mean a 75-300 ohm matching transformer, the can-looking thing with an F-connector on one end and wire with spade terminals on the other? They should still be available locally, they are here. Apparently they're also used for outdoor antennas.

[Console User]

No, I am referring to the plastic like piece that opened like a clothespin that had the wires attatched to it coming from the cable on the antenna. This went on the back of the TV at the VHF/UHF terminal screws.

[Jon A.]

I'm not familiar with those. Perhaps you could post a pic of one?

[truetone36]

I remember those, but I haven't seen any in years.

[lnx64]

Originally Posted by Console User

No, I am referring to the plastic like piece that opened like a clothespin that had the wires attatched to it coming from the cable on the antenna. This went on the back of the TV at the VHF/UHF terminal screws.

This is seriously the only thing I can think of.



Which is basically what KV-1926R was talking about.

Either than or the twin lean wire which has the same spade on both ends.. But you said that's not what you're referring to.

[Dave A]

Console, here you go. The one and only I have. Used to have bunches. Where did they go?

[marty59]

Gee, I wonder if GC Electronics still makes these?

[mstaton]

I can get a crapload of them at a surplus store in Boise. PM me your address and I'll send you a few

[lnx64]

Wow I've never seen one of those before.

[wkand]

Once upon a time those were as common as a mud fence. I have exactly one as well. Bought it at the old Ernst Hardware in Seattle in the 1980°s. If the Boise surplus store comes up empty, I suppose I could be persuaded...

[mstaton]

trust me, there are many there. They dont know what they are. I told them what they were one day and they had a dumbfounded look on their faces. Vintage TV? 300 ohm?

[Jon A.]

Originally Posted by mstaton

trust me, there are many there. They dont know what they are. I told them what they were one day and they had a dumbfounded look on their faces. Vintage TV? 300 ohm?

Were these people like, 16 years old or something, or do they just have blinders on to the world?

On the subject of younger people in general and the latest tech, mobile phones these days may be smart; their users, not necessarily. A joke ad for the iPhone advertised a special edition for college girls with a pre-cracked screen.

[Dave A]

mstaton, put me down for a bunch from Boise. We will PM. Our Kutztown club meet would like to have some to resell for the DVHRC club treasury. And Kutztown is this weekend...see you there. I'll be running the BIN table on Saturday. Donate your tired, your poor...and I will resell it to help the DVHRC. You would not believe what junk I have resold.

[N2IXK]

Were these connectors ever that common?

The whole reason for them was to be able to quickly connect/disconnect the antenna wire. Not something that the average set owner did often enough to care about.

The only place I ever saw them used was on repair shop service benches, or on the output of portable test gear like bar/dot generators. Once the 75 ohm era came along, we used the push-on type F connectors for the same reason, but they were a lot less durable...