[Milsurplus] [MRCA] ARC-5 Tuning Cable

[Brenda Gentry]

Years ago, I had the same problem with an MC-124 flex shaft used on the 
ARN-6 and 7.  It was new and coated with preservative. I coated it well 
with light lube oil and baked it in an oven to about 150 degrees. Then I 
put on gloves and worked it carefully to loosen up the spiral. The core 
then retracted and it worked fine and I wiped off the excess oil.  I 
think the original lube had solidified into gum and varnish.

       B. Gentry, KA2IVY

On 1/28/26 3:31 PM, Mark K3MSB wrote:
> That was the first thing I tried.....  didn't do anything.
>
>
> On Wed, Jan 28, 2026 at 2:50 PM <scottjohnson1 at cox.net 
> <mailto:scottjohnson1 at cox.net>> wrote:
>
>     Seems normal to me.  Try pulling the sheath taught , the end
>     should retract in properly.
>
>     Scott W7SVJ
>
>     *From:*mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>     <mailto:mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net>
>     <mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>     <mailto:mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net>> *On Behalf Of *Mark K3MSB
>     *Sent:* Wednesday, January 28, 2026 11:36 AM
>     *To:* ARC5 <arc5 at mailman.qth.net <mailto:arc5 at mailman.qth.net>>;
>     Military Radio Collectors Association (mrca at mailman.qth.net
>     <mailto:mrca at mailman.qth.net>) <mrca at mailman.qth.net
>     <mailto:mrca at mailman.qth.net>>; List Milsurplus
>     <milsurplus at mailman.qth.net <mailto:milsurplus at mailman.qth.net>>
>     *Subject:* [MRCA] ARC-5 Tuning Cable
>
>     Hi All
>
>     Recently I received several tuning cables and one is rather odd;
>
>     The cable looks to be fine and undamaged.   Perhaps this
>     particular cable was used for a specific purpose?
>
>     73 Mark K3MSB
>
>
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