I would appreciate any information on how to replace an antenna on a cab 1 controller. I have broken the end off of the current antenna and would like to replace it with a flex antenna. Additionally where is a good source to purchase an antenna. Thanks for your help.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
The easiest repair is to replace it with the Lionel part replacement. Most of the CB antennae for 27 Mhz have the standard connector, which the Lionel does not have. They would require additional modifications in the Cab-1 to add the other half of the connector.
Have you considered the new Cab1-L base and remote?
Also, search the forum, as I sure it's been discussed before.
Have a short flexible one if you need it. Just requires making the hole a little larger.
I use one of these from eBay: 142319883306 to repair one. I just wired a BNC connector on the remote and then I attach this antenna. It will never break again, and I can take it off to plop the remote into a box if desired.
Thanks to you all. Your information has given me a lot of help in both ideas and resources. I believe I will go with the rubber duck antenna. I have been teaching my 5 year old grandson TMCC operation. Its bad enough I broke the antenna.
I just converted two of my Cab-1's to the 10" rubber antenna. You will have to enlarge the mounteing hole and solder only one wire. But you would ever break it...
Marty
Marty,
I converted to the new antenna a few months ago and have been very happy with the results.
Mick
Here are pics of my method - I used one of these jacks from my parts bin and an antenna from an unused CB. This was done about 15 years ago.
There was nothing precision about my job - I just enlarged the antenna hole to fit the BNC jack, & connected the antenna lead to the center conductor.
I actually connected the common of the BNC jack to the DC ground as well. I figured it couldn't hurt, and maybe the antenna would work better that way. I can control the base from about 100 feet away through several walls, so the antenna is working pretty well. 
Any update to this? I need to replace my Cab-1 antenna and thought I'd check in since it's been nearly 4 years and some links no longer work. Thanks.
Dave
Well Dave, there haven't really been any technological advancements in this area. The original cab-1 has been out of production for four more years since this discussion, however Lionel has done the cab-1L, so the original antenna may still be available as a result. Otherwise you can certainly upgrade to rubber.
I converted my two Cab1 with this method, and while it work very well, the mod makes the remote top heavy and kind of cumbersome. Even though it's a lot shorter than the original it's heavier. Since the conversion I have had one Cab1 fail and since I'm Legacy I purchased a Cab1l to supplement my Legacy remotes. Much lighter and accesses some of the engine Legacy features. My last Cab1 has been regulated to bench use.
Thanks. I'm interested in converting to a rubber antenna, but would prefer something shorter than 10". Any ideas? Was a Legacy user for many years, nice for sure, but sold off my 990 and 993, now using TMCC again. Back to the future, or forward to the past? You decide, but also now running postwar track instead of S-trax, one transformer instead of nine, and seven engines with thirty cars instead of dozens and dozens of both (I just bought a few FlyerChief/Bluetooth engines for good measure) and having a great time with trains - once again.
If I'm not mistaken, that length is related to the transmission frequency, so it's not really subject to user choice. GunrunnerJohn is the one to get the straight answer from.
I don't blame you Dave. I don't use legacy either. I'm perfectly happy with straight TMCC, though I just took the leap to Bluetooth as well.
It's possible to have an antenna of almost any length, you need a loading coil to match the frequency response. In truth, for the CAB1, you can probably just AdLib one. I have a bench CAB1 that I got tired of dealing with the 10" heavy rubber antenna, so I took a stiff length of coax and just chopped the outer braid off it and had an instant short 5" antenna that is also very light. It works 30-40 feet from the base, a lot farther than I need. It's not impedance matched, just hacked.
You could go for something more elaborate. 
Homemade 3 Inch Short Stubby 27 MHz CB Antenna For CB Walkie Talkie Units
GRJohn - that hunk of coax and 30-40' looks just right to me.
Yep, nice and light. Note that the wire that was in the cable I chopped this off from was pretty stiff, which made it perfect for the job. The connector is rather large, but I was lazy, and it did the job.
Removable too. Build it and they will come, at least I'd buy one.
Just find some coax with BNC connectors. Chop it to the length desired and strip the outside insulation and braid, you have an antenna. I just tinkered with mine, it's more like 20 feet from the base before it started missing stuff. Make it longer and it works better. For better performance, there are doubtless bottom loaded 27mhz antennas that are fairly short.
Thanks John
Dave
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
