G5 Stock Antenna

[Ace9133uwu]

I was wondering how “good” the stock 7/800 antenna is over say a stubby Motorola 7/800 GPS, or similar 7/800 antenna? (I suppose this is more of a rhetorical question…)
I’m asking because today I’ve been getting Out Of Range even though my closest tower/CC is less than eight miles away, with no prior issues. It did snow overnight, however the weather is currently sunny. I swapped the stock antenna for my Mot stub, and I’m getting full bars as opposed to one bar to full signal loss with the stock.

 

[Robotech2112]

I have experienced an increase in signal strength using the Motorola stubby. However you have to be very careful as they have a tendency to damage the connector by forcing the pin down into the unit. I minimize that by screwing it on just until it makes contact and not going super snug. And the best thing is to leave it alone. Because if you're going to continuously be switching back and forth you will damage it in no time. See what other users have to say.

 

[Ace9133uwu]

I have experienced an increase in signal strength using the Motorola stubby. However you have to be very careful as they have a tendency to damage the connector by forcing the pin down into the unit. I minimize that by screwing it on just until it makes contact and not going super snug. And the best thing is to leave it alone. Because if you're going to continuously be switching back and forth you will damage it in no time. See what other users have to say.

Awesome advice, my dude. I greatly appreciate it. It’s definitely good to know that the pin could become damaged if the antenna’s too tight. I don’t plan on continually swapping antennas. I swapped the stock for the Mot roughly three times just to gauge the reception.

 

[hill]

I always use the stock antennas on my G4 and G5. Always lock onto the control channel from a large area.

The newer antennas with the blue bands are better than the older version with the purple band it.

My used G5 came with an purple banded 700/800 antenna and I replaced with blue banded one.

 

[Ace9133uwu]

I always use the stock antennas on my G4 and G5. Always lock onto the control channel from a large area.

The newer antennas with the blue bands are better than the older version with the purple band it.

My used G5 came with an purple banded 700/800 antenna and I replaced with blue banded one.

I’ve only got the one CC programmed. The unit was receiving fine up until today. The snow might have something to do with it.
And I do have the blue band antenna.

 

[blackbelter]

In my case, some of the out of range issues were locations and or the system changes and never an antenna related . The supplied blue band antenna has been great in capturing the systems within 12 miles of my location. I also use an RS800 antenna connected to the back of my amp charger for an extra signal strength.

 

[N6ML]

I don’t plan on continually swapping antennas. I swapped the stock for the Mot roughly three times just to gauge the reception.

It's not really about how many times you do it - just one time could do the damage. The issue is that the antenna connector, whilst is looks like SMA, and shares some dimensions with SMA, is not actually SMA (IMO at least), and different manufacturers' SMA-like connectors are not the same. If you look at the bottom of the connector on the Unication antenna and compare it to the bottom of the Motorola one, you might notice that one has a recess and the other does not. If you've shoved the pin into your radio (by using a non-Unication antenna) even a little bit, that pin may not be making (good) contact when you put the Unication antenna back on now. See also ...SMA pin pull...DUH

 

[Ace9133uwu]

It's not really about how many times you do it - just one time could do the damage. The issue is that the antenna connector, whilst is looks like SMA, and shares some dimensions with SMA, is not actually SMA (IMO at least), and different manufacturers' SMA-like connectors are not the same. If you look at the bottom of the connector on the Unication antenna and compare it to the bottom of the Motorola one, you might notice that one has a recess and the other does not. If you've shoved the pin into your radio (by using a non-Unication antenna) even a little bit, that pin may not be making (good) contact when you put the Unication antenna back on now. See also ...SMA pin pull...DUH

Ahhh… well that’s definitely good to know. The pin is still in the radio, and appears undamaged using a jewelers loup to look closely. I took the Mot antenna off and plan on keeping it off due to what you said, and what I’ve read on this post. According to reply #43, “Others report that their OEM Unication stubby no longer works after using the Motorola antenna.” And this is almost the case with me. My unit does receive on the stubby, albeit poorly. Leaving the radio sitting in one spot, the singal fluctuates from Out Of Range to full bars. Before I messed with the antennas, I was not having this problem. Moving forward, would it be a good idea to purchase a new stock blue band from Unication, just to try it out and see if there’s improvement? Or did I successfully brick my pager? Or just leave well enough alone for the time being and see if it is weather related?

 

[bob550]

I have been using the Kenwood KRA-32k for over 2 years now with great success. Periodically rotating back to the the stock antenna poses no problem as the design of the SMA connectors on both are identical. You will need to trim the rubber skirt as far as you can so it fits the pager properly.

 

[Ace9133uwu]

Update: pulled the trigger on a new OEM blue band antenna. I think the original might be defective. Full bars using Moto 7/8 stubby, zero using the original OEM. Knocking on wood that it works.

 

[hakwye8518]

It's possible the moto antenna pushed the center pin into the unit and the oem antenna is no longer making contact. If your unit is out of warranty you can open the unit up and simply push the pin back up, that's what I had to do after using the moto antenna. (do so at your own risk).

 

[Ace9133uwu]

It's possible the moto antenna pushed the center pin into the unit and the oem antenna is no longer making contact. If your unit is out of warranty you can open the unit up and simply push the pin back up, that's what I had to do after using the moto antenna. (do so at your own risk).

I thought that, too. However I inspected the pin, and it appears to be in the original position. But, just in case I might open it and find out.

 

[FishScan]

You cannot inspect the pin to see if it is pushed in. Your new antenna will not work.

 

[Ace9133uwu]

You cannot inspect the pin to see if it is pushed in. Your new antenna will not work.

Awesome analysis. Based on what source(s), evidence and/or test(s) performed directly or indirectly by you?

I took a jewelers loup (x16) magnification, and thoroughly looked at my pin. It appears unmoved and otherwise unchanged.

 

[kruser]

I have an older G5.
When I first got it, reception was not the best. I opened it up and quickly found out that the internal side of my G5's SMA connector uses a quick release type connector just like those connectors used on mini-pci WiFi cards in laptops. I don't think I ever knew what that connector is called but I've seen it called something like a C.FL connector more than once.
In the case of my G5, that little male connector was not connected to the tiny coax leading to the G5's PCB.
I was able to snap it back onto the SMA connector and all was well with my G5.
Maybe a year later, I decided to try an actual SMA style 800 MHz antenna from a portable.
It worked but not well enough to keep it on the G5 considering how long the antenna was. When I put the original G5's tiny purple banded antenna back on my G5, I immediately noticed reception was poor.
I opened the G5 back up and again I found the little c.Fl connector just hanging inside the G5 and not connected to the G5's SMA socket.
I did some quick testing and found that using many SMA antennas on my G5 caused the G5's center pin to be pushed thru the SMA jack far enough to where it would disconnect the little internal c.fl connector. That made it that my G5 would need to be opened each time I accidentally screwed a different antenna or adapter onto my G5's SMA socket.

So... even though your center pin appears to be okay, it may not be as it could have caused the internal connector to pop apart.
I don't recall if opening my G5 to get to that connector was easy or not as it's been a long time now since I needed to open it up. I've been using the amplified charging base with my G5 as that charging base will supply an external antenna signal to the secondary band in the G5. In my case, the secondary band is VHF.
On the G5 models, only the 7/800 MHz bands get a signal from the antenna attached to the G5's SMA jack. The secondary band is handled by an small internal wire loop antenna or thru the amplified charging base which does supply external signals to a G5's primary and secondary bands from it's external BNC antenna jack.

You may be able to test using an ohmmeter and looking for some type of continuity between the G5 SMA center pin and the outer ground to confirm the internal connector is still connected but I'm thinking there may have been a DC blocking cap at the SMA's input which would prevent a resistance reading test from being a valid test.

 

[Ace9133uwu]

I have an older G5.
When I first got it, reception was not the best. I opened it up and quickly found out that the internal side of my G5's SMA connector uses a quick release type connector just like those connectors used on mini-pci WiFi cards in laptops. I don't think I ever knew what that connector is called but I've seen it called something like a C.FL connector more than once.
In the case of my G5, that little male connector was not connected to the tiny coax leading to the G5's PCB.
I was able to snap it back onto the SMA connector and all was well with my G5.
Maybe a year later, I decided to try an actual SMA style 800 MHz antenna from a portable.
It worked but not well enough to keep it on the G5 considering how long the antenna was. When I put the original G5's tiny purple banded antenna back on my G5, I immediately noticed reception was poor.
I opened the G5 back up and again I found the little c.Fl connector just hanging inside the G5 and not connected to the G5's SMA socket.
I did some quick testing and found that using many SMA antennas on my G5 caused the G5's center pin to be pushed thru the SMA jack far enough to where it would disconnect the little internal c.fl connector. That made it that my G5 would need to be opened each time I accidentally screwed a different antenna or adapter onto my G5's SMA socket.

So... even though your center pin appears to be okay, it may not be as it could have caused the internal connector to pop apart.
I don't recall if opening my G5 to get to that connector was easy or not as it's been a long time now since I needed to open it up. I've been using the amplified charging base with my G5 as that charging base will supply an external antenna signal to the secondary band in the G5. In my case, the secondary band is VHF.
On the G5 models, only the 7/800 MHz bands get a signal from the antenna attached to the G5's SMA jack. The secondary band is handled by an small internal wire loop antenna or thru the amplified charging base which does supply external signals to a G5's primary and secondary bands from it's external BNC antenna jack.

You may be able to test using an ohmmeter and looking for some type of continuity between the G5 SMA center pin and the outer ground to confirm the internal connector is still connected but I'm thinking there may have been a DC blocking cap at the SMA's input which would prevent a resistance reading test from being a valid test.

Finally, a solid technical answer to what the problem may be. Thank you, sir for the response.
I’ll pop mine open and check things out just to cross that off the list of Process of Elimination.

If I find something out, I’ll be sure to update.

 

[Ace9133uwu]

BAM!! PROBLEM FOUND! Thank you @kruser! Lookie there! Slightly disconnected. That would definitely be the issue here.

 

[FishScan]

You now know it cannot be inspected. Yes, I know what I am talking about.

 

[DMAZ2022]

Hmm, my stock antenna never seemed right till I put this adapter on to be able to switch back and forth between my outdoor antenna and the stock antenna. With the stock antenna sitting on top of this, the adapter adds 1-5/8" of height and I get great reception, to the point I really don't need the outdoor antenna. I'm just constantly worried about cracking the case of the radio if the assembly ever gets a good enough force put on it. I'm taking my G5 apart tonight to check that internal connection. Thanks for the post and clear pic.

 

[wa8pyr]

I’ve only got the one CC programmed. The unit was receiving fine up until today. The snow might have something to do with it.
And I do have the blue band antenna.

Sounds like the site you’re monitoring rolled to a new control channel. Make sure to put in all the control channels for a given site so you can avoid this happening.