There is also the possibilty that the little bare wire sticking
out of the cable is, shall we say, too short to perform its
duties. Have you experimented with a better-endowed cable?

Noooooooooooooooooooo!
I've found out the hard way that having the center wire sticking out too
far from an F connector is a great way to destroy F jacks. A wire that
goes too far in will spread the two inside contacts. Tightening down
on the threaded part can apply a lot of force to the inside guts.

I won't disagree with you -- but the wire just might be a bit too short.

There is no way to lengthen the wire, so no harm can occur simply looking at
it...