SDS100/SDS200: SDS 100 and antenna connector looseness

[Ensnared]

My very new SDS 100 SMA started to wobble. Luckily, I have the tool to tighten this housing. Suspected culprits: a) unscrewing this antenna from the unit; b) unscrewing the SMA adapter while the radio is attached.

I find it rather difficult to separate the SMA adapter from the radio. When my fingers don't work to disconnect the adapter from the radio, I hold the adapter and unscrew it by turning the radio.

I don't know why this would matter, but these are two things that might contribute to this. I love this antenna.

 

[trentbob]

My very new SDS 100 SMA started to wobble. Luckily, I have the tool to tighten this housing. Suspected culprits: a) unscrewing this antenna from the unit; b) unscrewing the SMA adapter while the radio is attached.

I find it rather difficult to separate the SMA adapter from the radio. When my fingers don't work to disconnect the adapter from the radio, I hold the adapter and unscrew it by turning the radio.

I don't know why this would matter, but these are two things that might contribute to this. I love this antenna.

Don't quite understand. If you have the 842 sma antenna on the sds100, why are you using an adapter?

 

[Ensnared]

Don't quite understand. If you have the 842 sma antenna on the sds100, why are you using an adapter?

In the car, I use a Larsen tri-band and use the adapter for such.

 

[trentbob]

In the car, I use a Larsen tri-band and use the adapter for such.

Oh yes, I have my sds100 permanently mounted in my car and I also use the Larson Tri bander. I upgraded a few years ago to the one with the spring.

What I do is use a small pointy nose pliers to steady the BNC adapter if I want to remove the antenna coax.

 

[AK9R]

In the car, I use a Larsen tri-band and use the adapter for such.

So, this is an adapter problem not a Remtronix 842, the topic of this thread, problem? Wearing moderator's hat, I think your post is off-topic, but I'm going to leave it for now.

 

[Ensnared]

So, this is an adapter problem not a Remtronix 842, the topic of this thread, problem? Wearing moderator's hat, I think your post is off-topic, but I'm going to leave it for now.

Thank you. I am not sure if the Remtronix antenna has affected this loosening.

I had to buy a four-way SMA tightening tool for my 436HP since the SMA loosened; however, this took years to happen. However, I should point out that I was using the other Remtronix. the one RS labeled with 800 mhz on it was used on the 436HP. Later, I bought the new antenna 842 for the 436HP. I have not used the 436HP very much after getting the SDS 100.

I have had the SDS a little over a month. I suspect the twisting of the antenna did this.

The Remtronix does not sink into the case like the stock antenna. There is a distinct gap between the body and Remtronix. I don't want to mess up the SMA if this antenna is playing a role in this. I am still perplexed and just need some feedback. I don't understand why a high-end radio would have a loosened SMA over such a short period of time. This does not make any sense.

 

[trentbob]

Thank you. I am not sure if the Remtronix antenna has affected this loosening.

I had to buy a four-way SMA tightening tool for my 436HP since the SMA loosened; however, this took years to happen. However, I should point out that I was using the other Remtronix. the one RS labeled with 800 mhz on it was used on the 436HP. Later, I bought the new antenna 842 for the 436HP. I have not used the 436HP very much after getting the SDS 100.

I have had the SDS a little over a month. I suspect the twisting of the antenna did this.

The Remtronix does not sink into the case like the stock antenna. There is a distinct gap between the body and Remtronix. I don't want to mess up the SMA if this antenna is playing a role in this. I am still perplexed and just need some feedback. I don't understand why a high-end radio would have a loosened SMA over such a short period of time. This does not make any sense.

I'm having a problem keeping track of antennas and radios but you are correct your sds100 should not have any loosening or wobble. It sounds like you're keeping on top of it and keeping it tight, I'm not sure which antenna is causing the problem but I do understand the adapter in the mobile application could be an issue.

Again not sure what antenna you're using on what radio but an 820 sma 100 should fit perfectly on the SDS 100, the 842sma of which they only make one of them, not 2 like the 820, should fit perfectly, flush up against the radio on the sds100. On the 436, the 842sma will have a small Gap at the base of the antenna, this is normal and does not affect reception, you can easily buy little tiny washers or rubber O-rings at Home Depot and apply two of them at the base of the antenna for aesthetic value. These washers are similar to what comes with professional ham radio portable antennas.

It's quite a coincidence that you have a loose antenna connection on both the 436 and the 100, luckily I have never encountered that on either but as long as you keep up with it it should be fine.

 

[AK9R]

I've adjusted my moderator's hat and moved this discussion to Uniden Tech Support.

If you are repeatedly switching antennas or installing/removing an adapter, you are applying torque, and torque reversals, to the radio's antenna connector. I suggest you find a way to avoid this. Install an antenna and leave it...or...Install an adapter and leave it.

Your Remtronix antenna may be contributing to the problem due to the way it fits on the radio. But, it seems to me that the repeated torque reversals are the root problem.

Also, the maximum torque for tightening an SMA connector is less than 10 in-lbs. And, some sources say an SMA is only good for about 500 installations. You can buy SMA torque wrenches. Prices on Ebay start at around $30. Granted, since the "nut" on the Remtronix 842S antenna is over-molded with plastic, you won't be able to get to the nut with a wrench.

 

[trentbob]

Thank you. I am not sure if the Remtronix antenna has affected this loosening.

I had to buy a four-way SMA tightening tool for my 436HP since the SMA loosened; however, this took years to happen. However, I should point out that I was using the other Remtronix. the one RS labeled with 800 mhz on it was used on the 436HP. Later, I bought the new antenna 842 for the 436HP. I have not used the 436HP very much after getting the SDS 100.

I have had the SDS a little over a month. I suspect the twisting of the antenna did this.

The Remtronix does not sink into the case like the stock antenna. There is a distinct gap between the body and Remtronix. I don't want to mess up the SMA if this antenna is playing a role in this. I am still perplexed and just need some feedback. I don't understand why a high-end radio would have a loosened SMA over such a short period of time. This does not make any sense.

If I could suggest, use your favorite search engine and search it different ways, for example, my antenna is wobbly on my sds100 or loose on my sds100 or is slipping on my sds100, try it different ways and you will come up with other threads that describe your problem exactly.

 

[gmclam]

I leave the SMA to BNC adapter on the SDS-100, hold it tightly when switching antennas and use only BNC antenna connections. This way there is only the slightest (if any) action on the scanner's connector.

 

[wsmoore]

Try putting some super glue or finger nail polish on your sma washer and screw it down real fast. Don't put to much in case you need to get it off again.This keeps it stable for a while but you still need to be gentle taking the Antenna off. You may have to reapply every once in a while ,but beats doing it daily.

 

[GROL]

Use Loctite 243 Blue threadlocker. It isn't permanent. There are many sizes. Some as cheap as $6 for a small tube. Permatex makes a blue threadlock available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-24200-Medium-Strength-Threadlocker/dp/B0002UEMZ2/ref=asc_df_B0002UEMZ2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312151168520&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5996251059526225077&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009898&hvtargid=pla-434959562388&psc=1

 

[Ubbe]

Try putting some super glue or finger nail polish on your sma washer...

Loctite, and probably competing brands, has a version that never hardens but gets like rubber and keeps nuts in place without making it too difficult to unscrew.

/Ubbe

 

[AK9R]

Loctite, and probably competing brands, has a version that never hardens but gets like rubber and keeps nuts in place without making it too difficult to unscrew.

I couldn't find a Loctite product meeting this description. But, I did find something called Vibra-Tite VC-3 which claims:

An alternative to traditional liquid lockers which cure to form a hard bond, VC-3 is a proprietary blend of thermoplastic elastomer resins designed to remain flexible and absorb vibration. The combination of inert/non-reactive amorphous resins creates a tough, semi solid layer inside the threads of a mated joint. VC-3 damps the vibrational energy transferred between the threads of a mated fastener, preventing fastener loosening and loss of clamp load. These unique differences make VC-3 coated fasteners truly adjustable, removable, and reusable.

 

[GROL]

Permatex blue threadlock is the same product as Blue Loctite. Blue loctite is not rubbery. It is hard but not permanent. The Red variety is permanent.

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-24200-Medium-Strength-Threadlocker/dp/B0002UEMZ2/ref=asc_df_B0002UEMZ2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312151168520&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5996251059526225077&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9009898&hvtargid=pla-434959562388&psc=1

 

[mancow]

Thank you. I am not sure if the Remtronix antenna has affected this loosening.

I had to buy a four-way SMA tightening tool for my 436HP since the SMA loosened; however, this took years to happen. However, I should point out that I was using the other Remtronix. the one RS labeled with 800 mhz on it was used on the 436HP. Later, I bought the new antenna 842 for the 436HP. I have not used the 436HP very much after getting the SDS 100.

I have had the SDS a little over a month. I suspect the twisting of the antenna did this.

The Remtronix does not sink into the case like the stock antenna. There is a distinct gap between the body and Remtronix. I don't want to mess up the SMA if this antenna is playing a role in this. I am still perplexed and just need some feedback. I don't understand why a high-end radio would have a loosened SMA over such a short period of time. This does not make any sense.

Could you provide the model of the SMA tool please? My spanner nut on mine is loose as well and it doesn't seem to stay in place using the non proper tools to try to tighten it. Thanks.

 

[buddrousa]

Will the 4 way tool that works on the SDS200 not fit?

 

[Ensnared]

I've adjusted my moderator's hat and moved this discussion to Uniden Tech Support.

If you are repeatedly switching antennas or installing/removing an adapter, you are applying torque, and torque reversals, to the radio's antenna connector. I suggest you find a way to avoid this. Install an antenna and leave it...or...Install an adapter and leave it.

Your Remtronix antenna may be contributing to the problem due to the way it fits on the radio. But, it seems to me that the repeated torque reversals are the root problem.

Also, the maximum torque for tightening an SMA connector is less than 10 in-lbs. And, some sources say an SMA is only good for about 500 installations. You can buy SMA torque wrenches. Prices on Ebay start at around $30. Granted, since the "nut" on the Remtronix 842S antenna is over-molded with plastic, you won't be able to get to the nut with a wrench.

Thank you. That was a comprehensive answer.

 

[mancow]

Will the 4 way tool that works on the SDS200 not fit?

They are different connectors.

 

[Ensnared]

I don't see any model number. I believe I found this one on Ebay. It works quite well.