- Joined
- Jul 18, 2016
- Messages
- 31
-
To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:
Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.
If you are having trouble legally obtaining software please state so. We do not want any hurt feelings when your vague post is mistaken for a free request. It is YOUR responsibility to properly word your request.
To obtain Motorola software see the Sticky in the Motorola forum.
The various other vendors often permit their dealers to sell the software online (i.e., Kenwood). Please use Google or some other search engine to find a dealer that sells the software. Typically each series or individual radio requires its own software package. Often the Kenwood software is less than $100 so don't be a cheapskate; just purchase it.
For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).
This is a large and very visible forum. We cannot jeopardize the ability to provide the RadioReference services by allowing this activity to occur. Please respect this.
connection question
- Thread starter sparky5556
- Start date
- Status
kf4eyr
Member
rg6 is the wrong coax for a cb unless using a dipole antenna,,, rg 58 and rg 8 is the correct type,,,there are a few others but the coax must be 50 ohm,,rg6 is 75 ohm,,, the connector you need is a pl259 that connector on the radio is so239,,, they are considered uhf connections,,,,,you should be able to find at local radio shack,, if you dont or cant solder i would look for pre made cables,,,,,
KC4RAF
Member
PL-259 coax connectors.
Radio Shack still sell them:
https://www.radioshack.com/products/pl-259-coaxial-connector-2?variant=5717635653
Radio Shack still sell them:
https://www.radioshack.com/products/pl-259-coaxial-connector-2?variant=5717635653
KC5AKB
Member
Next question what kind of antenna .
Feel free to pm me with questions.
Feel free to pm me with questions.
Hello S5556: RG6 will work with a little mismatch so not a real big issue, I have used it at times. But as previously said RG58 or RG8 type coax is better.
The bad thing with RG6 is that you can not solder on the PL-259 connector as the RG6 Coax uses a Aluminum Braid wire. So crimping on the Male F connector, and then using a Female F to PL-259 adapter will work.
Even with the right coax soldering on a PL-259 connector isn't a simple task. The net is full of "How To" videos on how to solder the PL-259 connector. Suggest for a new guy practice soldering them on the proper coax. I wish I had a Dime for every antenna set up I have fixed by just replacing the PL-259 connector, and properly soldering it to the coax.
There also suppliers that you can order the type and length of coax with the connectors on the ends.
Good luck, let us know how you make out.
Jay in the Great Mojave Desert
The bad thing with RG6 is that you can not solder on the PL-259 connector as the RG6 Coax uses a Aluminum Braid wire. So crimping on the Male F connector, and then using a Female F to PL-259 adapter will work.
Even with the right coax soldering on a PL-259 connector isn't a simple task. The net is full of "How To" videos on how to solder the PL-259 connector. Suggest for a new guy practice soldering them on the proper coax. I wish I had a Dime for every antenna set up I have fixed by just replacing the PL-259 connector, and properly soldering it to the coax.
There also suppliers that you can order the type and length of coax with the connectors on the ends.
Good luck, let us know how you make out.
Jay in the Great Mojave Desert
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2016
- Messages
- 31
I picked up one of these..... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D1BJM22/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Going to splice into it
Going to splice into it
KC5AKB
Member
If you are going to use this set up for talking do you have a way to check
The SWR's ?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_wave_ratio
Have you got a antenna you plan to use?
Feel free to Drop me a pm .
JayMojave / Jay in the Mojave and others can offer you some good
Ideas for antennas .
The SWR's ?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_wave_ratio
Have you got a antenna you plan to use?
Feel free to Drop me a pm .
JayMojave / Jay in the Mojave and others can offer you some good
Ideas for antennas .
AC9BX
Member
I'm not sure that will help you very much. Reiterating what some have mentioned...
The radio is looking for a 50Ohm antenna system. There can be a mismatch and things will still work okay but it can't be too much mismatch or it will fail. Listening only or transmitter? What is the antenna you will use? If it's a 50Ohm antenna you will want to use 50Ohm coax for the whole thing. RG6 is 75Ohm coax. And as was mentioned, it is most always aluminum braid making it very difficult to solder. There's a problem with adapters like that too. Although BNC connectors for 50 and 75 Ohms typically will mate they may not offer a good connection because the dimensions are a little different. One brand may not mate well with the other. (N connectors for 50 and 75 Ohms do not get along)
High quality RG6 is good coax but is not the best choice for this purpose. RG6 is popular but it's not "standard".
If you want to use coax about the same size, which is fine, look at RG8X or equivalent.
Sparky5556
Coming from the perspective of a somewhat novice myself, you will need to follow the advice of the ones who have spoken before me. Use a PL259 Connection with either RG8X (If cable from Antenna to Radio is less than 50 feet) or a better more serious cable of LMR 400 if the run is longer than 50 or so.
I am not sure if you are using this is a mobile in vehicle or a base unit in the house, forgive if I missed that.
I recently set up a base unit at home for communication to handhelds in the field at a 3 mile radius around my house. I scrimped and saved in every place I could EXCEPT my cable and connection to the radio. My run is from the Roof of my house where my base station antenna is (See pictures in my post before this one "CB for Family Set up") and you will see how I made my base antenna. I spent the money on a good run of LMR 400 with the P259 Connection soldered on at the store by someone who knew what they were doing. My run was 60 ft. My range tested so far has cleared up to about 5 to 7 miles on Trucks on the highways around me and about 2.5 miles from my base to handhelds in the woods.
Coming from the perspective of a somewhat novice myself, you will need to follow the advice of the ones who have spoken before me. Use a PL259 Connection with either RG8X (If cable from Antenna to Radio is less than 50 feet) or a better more serious cable of LMR 400 if the run is longer than 50 or so.
I am not sure if you are using this is a mobile in vehicle or a base unit in the house, forgive if I missed that.
I recently set up a base unit at home for communication to handhelds in the field at a 3 mile radius around my house. I scrimped and saved in every place I could EXCEPT my cable and connection to the radio. My run is from the Roof of my house where my base station antenna is (See pictures in my post before this one "CB for Family Set up") and you will see how I made my base antenna. I spent the money on a good run of LMR 400 with the P259 Connection soldered on at the store by someone who knew what they were doing. My run was 60 ft. My range tested so far has cleared up to about 5 to 7 miles on Trucks on the highways around me and about 2.5 miles from my base to handhelds in the woods.
- Status
