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MX vs MXI connector - what's the difference?

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charlesdotcc

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Dec 10, 2006
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Hi All,
What's the difference, if any, between an MX and MXI connector?

I received an Icom F3161 for Christmas and I'm trying to buy a better antenna for it, and the antennas that seem to be compatible seem to have an "MXI" connector, but the selection is pretty limited. There seem to be far more selection for antennas with an "MX" connector.

According to this selection guide from Laird, they appear to be different: http://www.streakwave.com/mmSWAVE1/Video/Land.pdf

But both connectors seem to describe themselves as "1/4-32 x 7/32" when I look at the descriptions on Tessco:
https://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=427755
https://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=492322

And I can't seem to find the right terms to get an answer out of Google.

Any ideas? Thanks.

-Charles
 

12dbsinad

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Mar 15, 2010
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If I had to take a wild guess, i'd say the one that says it's for Icom probably is a little different at the base. Same connector as the other one but the rubber may be longer so that when it is threaded on to the radio it bottoms out against the radio housing. The other one would thread on ok but may have a gap between the housing and bottom of the antenna. At any rate, the MXI is the correct one for the 3161.
 

charlesdotcc

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Dec 10, 2006
Messages
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Location
Falls Church, VA
Ok, thanks for the reply. I guessed it could be something like that as well. Good to get confirmation on the MXI though. One website called it a "J" connector. These designations are all over the place.
 

cmdrwill

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Try to get and use the OEM ICOM antennas. Other knock offs may not work well and bung up the threads in the radio, not make contact, or wost off not be a good match to the transmitter.
 

SirJ

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I have been researching this same question.
It appears that the HT1250,1550 antenna works fine with my Icom F series BUT the rubber skirt on the Motorola antenna does NOT meet the frame of the radio so there is a slight gap.

It's the same situation between the motorola XTS series and 5100 series from EF Johnson.
 
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charlesdotcc

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Dec 10, 2006
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Location
Falls Church, VA
Ok, thanks - that seems to lend credence to the idea that they're basically the same connector, except the rubber molding is different, which I suppose also effects the weather seal around the antenna.
 
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