HP-1 GPS Socket Issue

[kennyblues]

Does anyone have the Uniden part number for the jack? need to replace jack on the HP-1` and will not send in even if it is still under waranty because of turn around time.

David kb7uns

The invoice from the repair of mine states, "The following parts were replaced or actions performed during the repair of your unit" "J405"
Not sure if that is the part number or the repair code

 

[hydrolocked]

the mating cycle count for the SMA connector is further compounded by the fact that the antenna (much like many HT antennas) is improperly designed - to mate / unmate it, you spin the ENTIRE connector (pin and all). In a proper system, the locking ring spins, and the pin is inserted into the jack straight, as opposed to being spun. The performance of the connector over time WILL degrade a little. It may not be noticeable for our purposes, however, it still happens due to shavings in the connectors (from the spinning of the pin during insertion). BNC connectors, however, don't suffer from this quite as badly.

 

[cacherjoe]

Heard from Uniden yesterday and ScannerMaster today. Uniden said to send it to Texas to be repaired, 3-4 week turn around. Didn't want to go that route.

ScannerMaster came through offering to exchange the unit and issued an RMA. That's service. I have to pay the shipping to them, which I would have expected. Thanks ScannerMaster!

On a side note, Uniden wanted me to pay an extra $15 to cover shipping back to me. This applies to Canadians no their customers in the US. Considering buying the scanner here in Canada would have cost me about $150 more, seems a bit much to ask for the extra. That applies to Warranty and non-Warranty work. I like Uniden products though.

I'm thinking that with the new one, I won't use the GPS while in town, just when travelling. In town perhaps sticking to a "local" favorites list will give me the same thing. I was itching to see how well the GPS works though, guess I'll have to wait a little while longer.

J

 

[kruser]

the mating cycle count for the SMA connector is further compounded by the fact that the antenna (much like many HT antennas) is improperly designed - to mate / unmate it, you spin the ENTIRE connector (pin and all). In a proper system, the locking ring spins, and the pin is inserted into the jack straight, as opposed to being spun. The performance of the connector over time WILL degrade a little. It may not be noticeable for our purposes, however, it still happens due to shavings in the connectors (from the spinning of the pin during insertion). BNC connectors, however, don't suffer from this quite as badly.

I guess they could say that design is on purpose as it acts as an automatic socket cleaner!
I do see what you are saying. I looked at the little stock HP-1 whip and sure enough, the center pin does turn with the outer shell.
I also have a few HT's with SMA and I see I can apply a slight downward pressure on the whip and only the outer shell will spin on those. The little shell nut is tiny though so I think most will just spin the antenna and all to remove them.

 

[hydrolocked]

I guess they could say that design is on purpose as it acts as an automatic socket cleaner!
I do see what you are saying. I looked at the little stock HP-1 whip and sure enough, the center pin does turn with the outer shell.
I also have a few HT's with SMA and I see I can apply a slight downward pressure on the whip and only the outer shell will spin on those. The little shell nut is tiny though so I think most will just spin the antenna and all to remove them.

the issue with "cleaning" is over time, you will see metal shavings begin to appear on the dielectric - these shavings will, at some frequencies, begin to add capacitance, and reduce connector performance. luckily, this is receive only, so arcing is not an issue (and SMAs are only rated at 40W max, so that is still of little concern on transmitters!)