A cable protector comprises a cylindrical reel sleeve having an opening in the side wall, and one open end. A cable that is loosely, helically wound around a central axis to form a coil is inserted into the sleeve with one connector of the cable extending out through the bottom, and the other connector of the cable either retained in the interior of the sleeve or passing out through the opening of the side wall for connection to a second circuit board. The reel sleeve protects the helically wound cable from external damage, and the connector from the center can be coupled to a circuit board in a first transmitter housing, and retained in the protector to prevent damage to the cable during assembly of the housings. A second transmitter housing mounts a shroud that rotatably mounts the reel sleeve holding the cable, so that when the two transmitter housing sections are threaded together, the sleeve containing the wound cable will be guided into the shroud and will be permitted to rotate therein without damaging or twisting the cable as the two housing parts are threaded together or repositioned.