I have gotten pictures on televisions with coat hangers. One time I had a center conductor that showed 0 continuity, so I alegator clipped the shield to the center point on the connector to the Tv. Viola, picture. A wet string can be an antenna if the conditions are right. Albeit, not a good picture, but still a picture. Soldering the shield to a center pin is not really that difficult a task. Take a pick and separate the shield to one side, twist to a point so a few wires are at the tip, solder the shield and then those few wires as a center pin. Solder the center conductor to the connector outside shell. Old World Crafstmen should be able to do that. Hey, they are on hourly wages, not peace work!!!
Edited: Would it work? Don't think so! Well, that's the problem isn't it.