Durability of Handheld antenna SMA sockets
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| Sep 29th 2015, 11:25 | |
2E0ECNTotal Topics: 0 Total Posts: 0 |
I have a Yaesu VX-6E, and one of the features I appreciate it is is wide range receiver. If I substitute its short antenna with a longer one, I can not only get local broadcast VHF stations, it also does a decent job on shortwave stations too. I have two conflicting dilemmas: If I continually swap the stubby VHF antenna (essential for cycling with the radio) with a longer one for broadcast VHF, and an even longer one for shortwave, the SMA connector is going to rack up duty cycles - I understand SMA is rated to around 500 connect/disconnect cycles. An attractive solution is to dedicate the VX-6E to portable VHF (leave the antenna on permanently), get another handheld, either another VX-6 or perhaps VX-8, and put a long antenna on that. This introduces my other dilemma: I'm happy to have a second HT with a long antenna permanently attached (so, no cycling with that one!), but if I am to avoid the wear and tear problem, what is a practical way of transporting such a radio and protecting the antenna from damage ? Hope this makes sense ! Mark 2E0ECN |
| Sep 29th 2015, 13:54 | |
W1VTSuper Moderator Total Topics: 0 Total Posts: 0 |
This has been an issue for decades--the typical solution is called a "connector saver," a short male/female adapter. Adapter, SMA-F to SMA-M - Mini Circuits www.minicircuits.com/pdfs/SF-MQK50+.pdf Zack Lau W1VT |
| Sep 29th 2015, 16:54 | |
2E0ECNTotal Topics: 0 Total Posts: 0 |
Thanks Zack, I never suspected such a thing existed, but in retrospect they would given how long the problem has been around. I've located a UK source, thanks again. Mark |
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