HELP: Idiot Snapped Aerial Cable on Mac Mini A1283

GR63 · 16 Nov 2021 at 15:47

Re-assembling my 2009 Mini I found I had snapped the aerial cable.

I can't tell (too small) if cable is single or double wires. If former I can solder the join I guess... if latter whats the easiest and cheapest way to effect a repair. WiFi works with the other antenna but I'd like it to be fixed

Image if that helps anyone advise me

If anyone has any links that are postable that would be great for bits to buy?

bremen1874 · 16 Nov 2021 at 16:02

I'd expect it to be coax, like a very small version of a TV aerial cable.

GR63 · 16 Nov 2021 at 16:48

bremen1874 said:
I'd expect it to be coax, like a very small version of a TV aerial cable.

Its an RPA-SM or something like that, I can find similar cables. I just dont know if its a single or dual wires as it is rather small. It looks to me like its soldered to the outside of the cable and to some inner part. I can't tell if I CAN safely just solder the two parts back together

bremen1874 · 16 Nov 2021 at 16:56

One wire with an insulator and then a braided screening layer around it, so effectively two wires.

I'd find a pre-terminated tail with the correct connector preattached and then see if it can be soldered on at the board end (assuming a secondhand replacement isn't easily available).

Feek · 16 Nov 2021 at 17:19

bremen1874 said:
I'd expect it to be coax, like a very small version of a TV aerial cable.

It is coax, definitely. You should be able to get a little pigtail to replace it.

GR63 · 17 Nov 2021 at 20:02

Feek said:
It is coax, definitely. You should be able to get a little pigtail to replace it.

Yeah I found loads but separating and soldering will be a "lady dog" but I got lucky.. Somebody just sent me one out of the goodness of their heart