NMO antenna to HT radio connector recommendation

[308guru]

I’m looking for a recommendation for a mobile antenna connection to a HT. I’m planning to install an NMO mount on my truck and need to determine the best way to make the connection to my HT. Yep, I’m using an HT for mobile. Don’t have the funds to purchase a mobile radio or the desire to mount one somewhere.

Back to the question at hand. I’ll have RG-58 running from the NMO mount into the cab and need to determine connector type. My radio is a Woxun KG-935H with an SMA Male. I don’t think I’d like to run RG-58 right to the radio; seems too large/stiff to routinely be handheld. How about terminating the coax in PL-259 and then using a SO-239 to SMA-F cable in between? That would give me some “flexibility” to use as a handheld. The PL-259/SO-239 interface could be any mating connector set if there’s a better option.

Comet Antennas HS-05 Comet Adapter Cables | DX Engineering

Another option would be to terminate the antenna cable in BNC and then put the mating BNC on my radio. I would have to install a BNC on my NA-771 antenna also, but that would make changeovers super easy.

Suggestions/opinions appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[mmckenna]

How about terminating the coax in PL-259 and then using a SO-239 to SMA-F cable in between? That would give me some “flexibility” to use as a handheld.

That would certainly work. But I've known lots of people that ran RG-58 direct to an HT without issue. Not ideal, but it's not a radio death-sentence.

The PL-259/SO-239 interface could be any mating connector set if there’s a better option.

Comet Antennas HS-05 Comet Adapter Cables | DX Engineering

That would work and exactly what it's intended for. If your long term plan is to go with a mobile radio, then using the PL-259 will save you some work. Most mobile amateur radio transceivers use the UHF antenna sockets.

Another option would be to terminate the antenna cable in BNC and then put the mating BNC on my radio. I would have to install a BNC on my NA-771 antenna also, but that would make changeovers super easy.

Suggestions/opinions appreciated.

Thanks.

The adapter on top of the radio brings you back full circle to putting extra strain on the antenna jack.

 

[308guru]

With the BNC idea I wasn't thinking of installing it on the RG-58, but making/purchasing an intermediate lead similar to the one I linked. The strain using that adapter cable should be minimal or at least not much different than a lead terminated in SMA-F.

 

[mmckenna]

With the BNC idea I wasn't thinking of installing it on the RG-58, but making/purchasing an intermediate lead similar to the one I linked. The strain using that adapter cable should be minimal or at least not much different than a lead terminated in SMA-F.

OK, so BNC male on the RG-58 to a BNC female on the RG-174 whip to an SMA on the scanner.

That would work.

However, if you ever do decide to go with a mobile radio down the road, you'll either need to replace the connector on the RG-58, or use an adapter. Ideally, you want to avoid adapters.

But it's your radio/antenna, do what works best for you.

 

[308guru]

Nope, I’m envisioning it differently. I haven’t looked to see if the components readily exist to purchase or if a bit of it would be homebrew (specifically the BNC on the whip).

(NMO mount -->RG-58 -->PL-259)
(SO-239 -->RG174/188 -->BNC) whip
(BNC -->SMA-F) adapter on radio

I realize this is 2 "adapters" with the whip and bnc adapter. I want the BNC on the radio so I can easily swap between truck mobile use (NMO antenna) and roaming/walking with a rubber ducky type antenna.

 

[mmckenna]

That'll work.

Just keep in mind:
Adapters add loss.
Adapters are a common failure point.
Adapters on top of the radio will increase the stress on the antenna jack and risk damaging the radio.

If you are OK with those risks, then go for it. I'd recommend this be a short term solution and to keep your eyes open for an inexpensive mobile to permanently install in the truck. One challenge with using a hand held radio in this sort of application is that the audio output will make listening a challenge. Small speakers driven at high volume tend to distort. Using a speaker mic may help.