Hardline Connector, N or UHF?

[Project25_MASTR]

First I bought Antenex FG4405 commercial antenna assuming it was collinear. Some folks said here it was j-pole.

From Laird's webpage about the FG4405...

Laird FG4405 fiberglass base station antennas are collinear designs enclosed in a high density fiberglass, which is covered with a protective ultraviolet inhibiting coating.

I have no other words for that.

 

[mrsvensven]

First I bought Antenex FG4405 commercial antenna assuming it was collinear. Some folks said here it was j-pole. So I thought I'd go with Diamond because;

a) Diamond is affordable.I cannot spend $900 on a PCTEL antenna.
b) Diamond is ground plane. From what I have read, ground plane antennas perform better than j-poles.
c) Diamond comes in 2 sections, so shipping tube will be less than 6'. I can easily check it in with my luggage with the airline when it goes to its final destination. I know professionals here do not like two-section antennas because of deterioration and leakage (during rain). I think I can remedy that with heavy duty tape and I can replace it every 4 or 5 years as needed. After all, it's going to be on top of my house and is used for ham purposes only. So I guess Diamond would do just fine. Correct me if I'm wrong.

What model Diamond antenna are you considering? I find it hard to believe it will be any better than the Antenex. What is wrong with the Antenex?

 

[ASAD]

What model Diamond antenna are you considering? I find it hard to believe it will be any better than the Antenex. What is wrong with the Antenex?

Threre are uncertainties. Antenex description says that the FG series is collinear while people here say it's j-pole. The problem with j-poles is reflected power, where mast and coax radiate, too. That's why I believe Diamond BC205 will be a better option.

 

[wa8pyr]

Hello.

I'm getting a Diamond 70cm antenna that comes with either N or UHF female connector. I'll be using about 80' Andrew Heliax 1/2" coax. Would PL-259 connector work better than N on the 1/2" hardline? Would you go with N or UHF connector option?

Is there a retailer that would not only sell me the cable but also install the connectors for me on the hardline?

I'm just wondering, is there a difference between N and DIN connector?

I'd appreciate your feedback.

Go with N connectors. Much more reliable, especially at 70cm. They're also more weather resistant, although you'll still need to use mastic or other proper kind of sealant to weatherproof the connection.

As far as connector installation, I'd recommend that you have someone like the local radio shop (or TESSCO if you order from them) do it for you if you've never done it before. There's a kit with a stripper and coring tool for each type of hardline which they should hopefully have on hand; otherwise you would have to buy the kit in addition to the connectors and muddle your way through; then you have an installation kit you may never use again.

I cannot answer you question about hard-line connectors, as I have never used them. However, a DIN connector is NOT a coaxial connector. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIN_connector.

Wikipedia strikes again. There actually is a DIN coaxial connector (typically used for higher frequencies like 700 MHz and above) but it's not linked through the regular DIN article.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7/16_DIN_connector

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Threre are uncertainties. Antenex description says that the FG series is collinear while people here say it's j-pole. The problem with j-poles is reflected power, where mast and coax radiate, too. That's why I believe Diamond BC205 will be a better option.

Just my opinion, Diamond is a hobbyist's antenna and nothing more. Shouldn't be run in a LMR environment. I'd even limit the use of FG series lairds to small bases and/or campus repeaters, nothing wide area.

Anyway, j-poles may have their problems but when the manufacturer claims an antenna is one thing but "people here" say it is another, just remember this is really a hobbyist forum. Yes people who do radio for a living add their input but you are talking about weeding through information from more people who have the belief that measuring squelch threshold is an effective measure of a receiver's performance or that micro-volts is a more accurate level of signal strength compared to dBm before you will generally find posts of those who do this on a day-in/day-out basis.

I will say, I've found almost everything Laird has put on paper about the FG series antennas to match real world experience. When they say a FG4507 will only cover 450-460 MHz...they aren't kidding, go a meg outside of that and you are seeing a 3.0:1 or higher VSWR. Last one I checked was only had a 1/2 wave of feedline between it and the duplexer...8W forward, .5W reflected.