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| HF/MW/LW General Discussion General discussion on monitoring the HF (High Frequency), MW (Medium Wave), and LW (Long Wave) spectrum (0.5 - 30 MHz) |
03-06-2009, 02:46 PM
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I Need a Weird Adapter!
Due to extreme space limitation, I am considering the purchase of a "portable" active SW/MW loop antenna that attaches to a window via suction cup.
This antenna is designed for use with portable, multiband radios so it has a 1/8" (3.5mm) antenna connector for the radio. Since I want to use this antenna with an AOR AR3000A, I need a way to adapt the 1/8" connector to a male BNC so I can plug it in to the back of my AOR. Of course, the chassis mount connector on the AOR is a female BNC.
Anyone have a source for such an adapter? I have searched the web with no luck. I have seen the reverse adater however, which is male 1/8" to female BNC.
I am trying to avoid making something...I want to boost the failing economy with a purchase!
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03-06-2009, 08:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KK4HG
Due to extreme space limitation, I am considering the purchase of a "portable" active SW/MW loop antenna that attaches to a window via suction cup.
This antenna is designed for use with portable, multiband radios so it has a 1/8" (3.5mm) antenna connector for the radio. Since I want to use this antenna with an AOR AR3000A, I need a way to adapt the 1/8" connector to a male BNC so I can plug it in to the back of my AOR. Of course, the chassis mount connector on the AOR is a female BNC.
Anyone have a source for such an adapter? I have searched the web with no luck. I have seen the reverse adater however, which is male 1/8" to female BNC.
I am trying to avoid making something...I want to boost the failing economy with a purchase!
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Closest I could find was this: Mouser part # 565-3837 at <www.mouser.com>
Bill WB4WTN |
03-06-2009, 08:26 PM
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It sounds like what you're describing is a Genlock cable for video post-production.
You can get it in lots of lengths, from half a meter to over 10 meters, and lots of people sell them.
Check them out here. |
03-06-2009, 08:45 PM
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Bob Loblaw
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KK4HG
This antenna is designed for use with portable, multiband radios so it has a 1/8" (3.5mm) antenna connector for the radio.
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Are you talking about a 3.5mm audio plug or something like an SMA connector? I am going to assume you're talking about an SMA connector as I have never seen an antenna that uses a 3.5mm audio plug.
anyway, if you're near a rat shack you can do this
1.64-Ft. (0.5M) SMA Female to BNC Female RG-316 Cable - RadioShack.com
mixed with a cable utilizing BNC connectors.
For more help I would need to know which antenna you are contemplating the purchase of.
If this is for monitoring ONLY I believe radio shack has a pre-made 75 ohm cable with BNC ends, But if you're going to transmit dont use the 75 ohm cable, make one with 50 ohm cable.
Last edited by burner50; 03-06-2009 at 08:51 PM..
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03-06-2009, 09:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by burner50
Are you talking about a 3.5mm audio plug or something like an SMA connector? I am going to assume you're talking about an SMA connector as I have never seen an antenna that uses a 3.5mm audio plug.
anyway, if you're near a rat shack you can do this
1.64-Ft. (0.5M) SMA Female to BNC Female RG-316 Cable - RadioShack.com
mixed with a cable utilizing BNC connectors.
For more help I would need to know which antenna you are contemplating the purchase of.
If this is for monitoring ONLY I believe radio shack has a pre-made 75 ohm cable with BNC ends, But if you're going to transmit dont use the 75 ohm cable, make one with 50 ohm cable. |
Nope, most of the little portable Grundig type shortwave radios use a standard 3.5mm (1/8") audio jack to connect the antenna. Do a google for "Shortwave Loop Antenna", it's pretty much the standard for those types of antennas. |
03-06-2009, 09:56 PM
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Wire cutters?
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03-06-2009, 09:57 PM
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Bob Loblaw
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlmostHandy
Nope, most of the little portable Grundig type shortwave radios use a standard 3.5mm (1/8") audio jack to connect the antenna. Do a google for "Shortwave Loop Antenna", it's pretty much the standard for those types of antennas.
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hmmmm....
you learn something new every day! |
03-06-2009, 10:22 PM
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Wire cutters are the last resort. The desired connector/adapter will have a male BNC on one end and a female 1/8" "audio" connector on the other end.
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03-06-2009, 10:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KK4HG
Wire cutters are the last resort. The desired connector/adapter will have a male BNC on one end and a female 1/8" "audio" connector on the other end.
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You could go with a genlock cable and a 3.5mm fem-fem adapter.
Or a cheaper option would be a BNC Male to RCA Fem adapter, and then an RCA Male to 3.5mm Fem adapter.
You could also contact a Professional Custom Cable manufacturer like Markertek, and have one built. |
03-06-2009, 10:45 PM
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You could probably kludge up a combination of 1/8" to F and then F to BNC with stuff off the rack at RS.
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Rick
"The King has note of all that they intend, by interception which they dream not of. "
Henry V, Act ll, Scene 2.
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03-07-2009, 01:58 AM
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MAKE ONE!
1 male BNC
Short piece RG-58-U coax
1 in line female 1/8" phone jack
Being the coax is a slightly larger diameter than audio cable just carefully enlarge the hole in the phone jack connector body and solder away. Hobbyists usually have these things in the junk box, do you?
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73 de Warren
Amateur Radio KB2VXA
Station powered by atomic energy, operator powered by natural gas.
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03-07-2009, 02:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kb2vxa
MAKE ONE!
1 male BNC
Short piece RG-58-U coax
1 in line female 1/8" phone jack
Being the coax is a slightly larger diameter than audio cable just carefully enlarge the hole in the phone jack connector body and solder away. Hobbyists usually have these things in the junk box, do you?
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Come on Warren! That won't stimulate the economy!
I say, Buy two! That way you'll have a spare, and do some double stimulating! |
03-07-2009, 02:22 AM
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KB2VXA: Surely you do not think I am that stupid. I realize you do not know me but I have been an active ham for 25 years. I know how to solder RF connectors, improvise and make stuff. READ MY POST! I don't want to make one. I want to buy one. I just moved across country and half of my tools are still packed so I CAN'T make one, dammit. 
However, thanks to those who left some good responses. I know I could stack several adapters but was trying to avoid that because of the "cluge" effect. Guess I will have to do that anyway...unless I find the box my soldering stuff is in and MAKE ONE.
And by the way KB2VXA, if you were really sincere, thank you for your input.
Last edited by KK4HG; 03-07-2009 at 02:47 AM..
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03-07-2009, 02:28 AM
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I thought I'd mention that Genlock cables, as well as BNC to RCA adapters, are almost always going to be 75Ohms for video and such. It will work ok with your receiver, but not with a transmitter.
If you want a 50Ohm cable, without having to use any extra connectors, give Markertek a call, and you can really stimulate the economy.
Some combinations of connectors just don't have any market, such as 3.5mm to F, so you'll never see them. The exception would be those special connector field kits, that let you mate anything with anything else. They make them for A/V as well as RF, but that's not really what you're going for here.
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03-07-2009, 02:40 AM
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I have one of those connector field kits. I think it was put out by RF Concepts. Since it was co-located with my soldering equipment, it is probably sharing the same box that I cannot find!
I am using RJ6 cable so a mismatch already exists but it not so bad for receiving only. Plus I don't think there is more than 20 feet of coax in the system at the moment. That is subject to change as the weather improves and I can do some antenna work outside. We have been having crazy wind lately.
I figured Markertek would be "stimulating" at best. I think I will keep their number OUT of my phone and let obama stimulate them with my tax money.
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03-08-2009, 12:32 PM
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R&L Electronics has a varied stock of adapters for SWL as well as Ham & CB. They have online ordering and they do ship fast. I buy a lot component parts from them, often things that I can't find at the usual Ham radio outlets. If you can't locate your needed connector on their online catalogue, just call them at their 1-800 number and explain to them what you need. Good chance that they will have it.
R&L Electronics 800-221-7735
Larry Lanberg
Richmond VA
Last edited by lanbergld; 03-08-2009 at 12:34 PM..
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03-11-2009, 05:41 AM
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Well there Almost, I stimulate MY economy by economizing if you get my drift. (;->)
Henry calm down and relax, I am sincere (if not a bit provocative) and you're welcome. Now how was I to know you actually have some basic skills when dipoles come in plastic bags these days? Oh and BTW I did read your post which included this rather tongue in cheek comment "I am trying to avoid making something...I want to boost the failing economy with a purchase!" to which Almost added "Come on Warren! That won't stimulate the economy!" cheeky lil' bugger he is. Now avoid the kludge effect and unpack those tools you should have unpacked first and avoided this whole mess. (;->)
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73 de Warren
Amateur Radio KB2VXA
Station powered by atomic energy, operator powered by natural gas.
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03-12-2009, 12:30 AM
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(lol) I am now more calm and cool! Thanks for showing more humor than I!!
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