I have repaired a old 1950 Ford radio, and I have a open Antenna spark choke, it says 27uh or 2.7uh on it. I have just shorted it out for the time being and the radio works fine. What would I do for a replacment? or is it really needed? Thanks, Ralph.

It is most likely 27 uH. You can go to Radio Shack and purchase a 100 mH choke (I do believe that it is a 100 mH choke, and not a 100 uH choke). Remove turns until you get desired results. If there are too many turns, it might supress reception, though I don't think that 100 mH will affect reception....perhaps.

The spark choke reduces interference picked up by the ignition system. It is probably wound to absorb frequencies around those found in the ignition system, though the ignition system covers a very broad spectrum. I don't think that my radio has a spark choke in the antenna, but rather just in the power circuits (incoming 6 volts, as well as the vibrator circuit). It is usually static free, and I even use non-resistive spark wires.

T.

:It is most likely 27 uH. You can go to Radio Shack and purchase a 100 mH choke (I do believe that it is a 100 mH choke, and not a 100 uH choke). Remove turns until you get desired results. If there are too many turns, it might supress reception, though I don't think that 100 mH will affect reception....perhaps.
:
:The spark choke reduces interference picked up by the ignition system. It is probably wound to absorb frequencies around those found in the ignition system, though the ignition system covers a very broad spectrum. I don't think that my radio has a spark choke in the antenna, but rather just in the power circuits (incoming 6 volts, as well as the vibrator circuit). It is usually static free, and I even use non-resistive spark wires.
:
:T.

I don't know what your choke looks like, but maybe you could get a high value resistor, one meg or so, with a Wattage to produce about the same size as whatever your choke is wound on. Then wind some wore of about the right size until it looks like your choke. If I am right, you could tweak out the error with the antenna matching cap that you can get to externally once the radio is installed and connected to the antenna.

Lewis

Is the existing choke open?

If so why are we talking about rewinding one that "looks" the same? If it's simple enough to do that...than Why not just un-wind the one you have till you find the open(broken) wire... and fix it?
What am I missing?