BCD436HP/BCD536HP: Antenna Connector Loose

[dtscho]

The SMA antenna connector on my BCD436HP is loose. It's moving from side to side slightly. Reception of strong signals is still good now, but I can tell that it's not as good on weaker signals. I assume this may get worse.

The connection is soldered to the board inside the scanner, correct? So this is probably not something I should attempt to fix? Just wondering if others have had experience with this, and what you did.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Markb]

Is the nut still tight?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[G7HID]

A number of eBay sellers have reasonably priced specialist box spanners to fit antenna, volume and channel change nuts on south east asian made radios including the Uniden 436 and 3600..

Mike

 

[jonwienke]

You can also use a pair of fine-tipped needlenose pliers to tighten the nut. Open the pliers a bit and one tip goes in each slot on the face of the nut.

 

[freqseeker]

Destuffing tool.

A number of eBay sellers have reasonably priced specialist box spanners to fit antenna, volume and channel change nuts on south east asian made radios including the Uniden 436 and 3600..

Mike

Thanks for the tip. It took a bit to find them. Search for "radio destuffing tool". I ordered a couple of styles.

Vince.

 

[G7HID]

You can also use a pair of fine-tipped needlenose pliers to tighten the nut. Open the pliers a bit and one tip goes in each slot on the face of the nut.

Been there, done it - one slip and you have a nice scratched case

Mike

 

[Markb]

I purchased an aftermarket antenna (Diamond SRH77CA) shortly after purchasing my 436. I noticed that the nut would regularly loosen since this antenna left a couple of threads exposed when fully seated. I purchased a rubber washer from my local hardware store that fits nicely onto the base of the SMA connector. Now when the antenna is tightened down, everything stays tight. BTW, after months of the connector coming loose, I never noticed any damage to the connection or loss of reception.

The washer is pulled up slightly in the photo so it is visible.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[dtscho]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't attempt to fix the connector myself, but did send the unit to Uniden for the real-time clock issue, and noted that the antenna connector was loose. The unit came back with the antenna connector tight, but unfortunately reception is severely degraded. Something must have been messed up when they tightened the connector. I checked squelch, attenuator, and another antenna - everything fine with those things.

So I called Uniden, and they sent me a prepaid shipping label to send the scanner back. Hopefully, the reception problem will be fixed the second time around.

Dave