SMA to BNC connector

[WuLabsWuTecH]

So I was hoping to get a couple of SMA to BNC connectors for my uniden to use with the boatload of different antennae I just got that are all BNC. But I don't know what type of connector to get. Do I need SMA female to BNC female? Some other gender changer adapter? Does anyone know of anything that has worked well for them?

Thanks,
-Wu

 

[JD21960]

SMA to BNC connectors

I had a SMA antenna but my scanners are BNC. I bought a screw in SMA/BNC connector. Got it here on this page
SMA Adapters #0853.

 

[toastycookies]

just a suggestion, but you may want to consider a short pigtail to minimize stress on the SMA connector of your radio.

something like one of these:

10" Long - SMA-Male to BNC-Female Coaxial Cable Pigtail - ARS-7820-CBL-10

 

[Voyager]

The scanner is a SMA female, so you will need an adapter with a SMA Male on one side and a BNC female on the other. I HATE those adapters Universal has (post 2) - adapter #0531 - since they put all the stress on the connector.

The adapters that come with the scanner puts the stress on the case which can absorb much more than the connector itself.

Here is one that is similar to the stock adapter. As you can see, it fully supports the antenna. Fully Nickel Plated SMA Male Jack to BNC Female Plug RF Adapter RF Connector USA | eBay

I am not endorsing that particular seller. Search eBay or your favorite source for a similar connector.

If you purchased your scanner new, CHECK THE BOX, as they come with an adapter.

 

[wtp]

male vs female

the radio has a female jack on it
the antenna is male
just like bnc if you look in the plug of the antenna it plugs into the female.
i have seen some incorrectly labeled parts on the internet.

 

[WuLabsWuTecH]

Thanks for the replies guys! So the reason it puts stress on the case vs on the connector is because in post #2, that adapter has a short SMA side vs on the 4th post the SMA side has a longer housing with a wide base/flange to put the stress on the case?

Is that what I'm looking for.

 

[W8RMH]

Thanks for the replies guys! So the reason it puts stress on the case vs on the connector is because in post #2, that adapter has a short SMA side vs on the 4th post the SMA side has a longer housing with a wide base/flange to put the stress on the case?

Is that what I'm looking for.

Correct. The wide base adapters are included with all Uniden scanners using the SMA. I have used them for 10 years on many radios and never had an issue.

The other adapter puts stress on the SMA, as it has no base to support it except the SMA itself. It is also of a two-piece construction where the adapter itself can break as well.

The pigtail connectors are better for mobile and desktop (connected to the coax) installs but not practical for handhelds. They can still put stress on the SMA it pulled or bumped.

 

[WuLabsWuTecH]

Ah, that makes sense. I have one of those adapters but the other one I bought secondhand so it did not come with said adapter. Nothing a quick trip to amazon can't fix (I went to a couple of radioshacks and they didn't have them. Ironically, one of them was also having a going out of business sale. I think i've figured out why you're going out of business guys!)

 

[jeatock]

To clarify and perhaps make things easier:

Gender of a connector is determined by the center pin, not by threads or locking mechanisms. For example, the common PL-239 [also known as a UHF(M)] that is standard for connecting an antenna to CB's, amateur and land mobile radios has female threads and a male center pin - it is a male connector. The back of the radio has male threads and a female center, making it a female SO-238 [UHF(F)]. The same system applies to SMA, BNC, TNC, N and other connectors.

Most of the handheld scanners (and Garmin dog tracking receivers) I have see have a female chassis connector and require a male SMA antenna connection. The same applies to SMA's on Icom F50-series and most Vertex portable radios. Kenwoods use a SMA male chassis connector. The balance of the Icom portables have a female MXI chassis. Most base/mobile scanners [and a few portables] have a female BNC chassis - the connector with the two ears and a quarter-twist barrel on the antenna or cable, and the antenna or cable has a male center pin. Most USB SDR dongles need a MCX(M) antenna connector.

In a few cases the FCC requires that a device NOT have an easily changed antenna, so the manufacturer will use a 'reverse-polarity' connection. These can be a bit confusing - for instance a SMA RP cable connection looks like a SMA(M) with female threads, but has a female center pin. Don't worry about these for the most part, but if you are trying to connect an external antenna to a FRS radio or wireless access point you may run across them.

Why are there so many variations? Because they can.

 

[77Impala]

Here is one that is similar to the stock adapter. As you can see, it fully supports the antenna. Fully Nickel Plated SMA Male Jack to BNC Female Plug RF Adapter RF Connector USA | eBay

I am not endorsing that particular seller. Search eBay or your favorite source for a similar connector.

If you purchased your scanner new, CHECK THE BOX, as they come with an adapter.

I purchases one like this but gold plated. Since I have not seen my scanner in person yet, should be delivered tomorrow, I bought one just in case. I don't know if one comes with the scanner I bought yet or not. If so then I will have a back up. Been so long since I had a handheld scanner I did not know they had change the connectors.

Now to figure out how to connect from the PL-259 connector in my car to the SMA connector on my scanner. I already have the BNC to PL259 on the cable. The car was ordered with a CB back in 1977. The CB had long been removed so I installed a aircraft whip ELT transmitter antenna to the left rear fender and connected the old PL359 cable to that. The ELT whip I got from a co worker at the time that upgraded his.

I wonder if anyone has a SMA connector that will fit the PL259 cable? I will look and see

 

[jeatock]

I really like these folks:

http://www.mpja.com/SMA-Type-Connector-Male-to-UHF-Female-Adapter/productinfo/11846 RC/

Geek city. They have a little bit of everything.

 

[lep]

The posted link seems NOT to be for an SMA to BNC adaptor.

LEP

 

[jeatock]

77Impala stated he had a UHF(M) on an existing antenna, which is the link.

SMA(M) to BNC(F)'s are SMA Type Connector, Male to BNC Female Adapter | MPJA.COM or http://www.mpja.com/BNC-Type-Connector-Female-to-SMA-Male-Adapter/productinfo/11843 RC/

SMA(M) for RG-58 coax is http://www.mpja.com/SMA-Type-Connector-Male-3-Part-Crimp-RG-58-Cable/productinfo/11833 RC/

Fall back in MPJA's menus and you will find nearly all types. Even with my Tessco account I still buy quite a few items from MPJA.

 

[77Impala]

That would work for me but I don't like the extra weight hanging on the top of the female SMA connector of the scanner. What I meant to say is that I am looking to cut the PL259 off of the cable and install the SMA male connector to the RG-8 coax.

Or I may go with this instead: http://www.ebay.com/itm/321554869538

 

[Voyager]

I really like these folks:

SMA Type Connector, Male to UHF Female Adapter | MPJA.COM

Geek city. They have a little bit of everything.

But again that puts all the stress on the connector. (very bad)

I'm sure someone makes a SMA-UHF in the style that properly supports the connector.

 

[Voyager]

I purchases one like this but gold plated. Since I have not seen my scanner in person yet, should be delivered tomorrow, I bought one just in case. I don't know if one comes with the scanner I bought yet or not. If so then I will have a back up. Been so long since I had a handheld scanner I did not know they had change the connectors.

Now to figure out how to connect from the PL-259 connector in my car to the SMA connector on my scanner. I already have the BNC to PL259 on the cable. The car was ordered with a CB back in 1977. The CB had long been removed so I installed a aircraft whip ELT transmitter antenna to the left rear fender and connected the old PL359 cable to that. The ELT whip I got from a co worker at the time that upgraded his.

I wonder if anyone has a SMA connector that will fit the PL259 cable? I will look and see

I would just use the stock adapter with a UHF-BNC adapter. In fact, that's exactly what I use quite often. Not only does it use very common adapters, I can disconnect the vehicle antenna and connect a portable antenna very quickly. And if the BNC connection on either end wears out, just replace the adapter - much easier than replacing a connector - especially the one on the scanner.

Oh, and as for color, I have some silver (stock), some black, and one gold one. I like the black since it matches the scanner, but unless I use a covered BNC antenna, you see the silver BNC connector on the antenna which 'ruins' the effect. Of course, the different metals will have their own properties - with some being better than others. I suppose I should clarify that the stock adapters are likely nickel, not silver. They are silver in color only.

 

[77Impala]

I would just use the stock adapter with a UHF-BNC adapter. In fact, that's exactly what I use quite often. Not only does it use very common adapters, I can disconnect the vehicle antenna and connect a portable antenna very quickly. And if the BNC connection on either end wears out, just replace the adapter - much easier than replacing a connector - especially the one on the scanner.

Good point, I will do that since I will already have the parts. Thanks.