Connectors, adaptors and loss... oh my!

[Omega-TI]

I plan to put up a discone antenna this spring to hook up to the SDS100, but the thing has an SMA connector at the scanner. Sure, I could use one of THESE 90 degree BNC connectors, but I'd prefer to keep everything in one run without breaks from antenna to radio. Suggestions? Oh, the 90 degree fitting is to take stress off the radios connector.

 

[KC3ECJ]

I use a right angle pl-259 to so-239 adapter for a 2m/70cm transceiver.
No meaningful loss issues.

 

[GTR8000]

One uninterrupted run from antenna to handheld scanner? So, no grounding or lightning protection on an outdoor antenna? What coax are you planning to run that you aren't concerned with the stress on a measly SMA connector? One would hope that you'd run some good stuff like LMR400 for any length over 50' or so, and LMR400 is way too thick and heavy to connect directly to the SMA of an SDS100.

PL259 aka UHF connectors are junk. If you're buying a new discone, get one with an N connector, which is a proper RF connector.

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, if you are using a larger cable like LMR-400, or even RG-8, you don't want to connect directly to the radio. That puts a lot of strain on the antenna jack and can lead to damage. Industry standard is to use a short whip of a more flexible cable to make the final connection. If you are using quality connectors and decent coaxial cable, you shouldn't need to worry about the negligible amount of additional loss. You'd be looking a .1dB or so for each connector, and a very small amount for a short 6" whip of small coax, and unlikely you'd be able to hear that level of loss. Damage to the antenna connector on the scanner is a much bigger risk and can be difficult to repair.