[Yaaarc] Antenna confusion

[Rick Green]

On Thu, 7 Jun 2007, Neal Probert wrote:

> There seems to be a plethora of antenna connectors out there, so can somebody 
> enlighten me on these antenna types, when and where they are used?
>
> 	N, SMA, RPSMA, MC-Card, RP-TNC
>
> Anybody know of a good source for antennas and adapters?  I need a bunch of 
> Type-N to SMA adapters already.
>
> Btw, I've found a nice combined GPS/WiFi antenna at www.wi-sys.com
>
  You shulda' posted this query a few weeks ago.  The Dayton Hamvention was 
the place to shop for all that stuff!

All consumer unlicensed radios are certified as a system, with their 
attached antennas.  End-users aren't *supposed* to be swapping them for 
higher-gain ones, inserting amplifiers, etc  I'm surprised that the FCC 
hasn't cracked down on the big-box stores that are selling stuff that's 
supposed to be prohibited.
   For this reason, antenna connectors are required to be generally 
unavailable to the consumer.  This has led to the invention of 'reverse 
polarity' versions of the SMA and TNC especially, where the female center 
pin is mounted in what is normally a male shell, and vice-versa.  I've 
discovered that various manufacturers also vary in the way they create the 
RP connectors, so they aren't all compatible.
Type N connectors are generally used for longe runs of 1/2 inch or larger 
diameter cable.  I find that when the device has an SMA connector, I would 
rather use a short pigtail of RG/174 (~1/8") cable to adapt to the N 
connector, than a direct back-to-back SMA - N 'tweeney'.
   There's another ham swap in Monroe on June 14th.  I'll be happy to keep 
my eyes open for RP-SMA <-> N tweeneys or pigtails for you.

-- 
Rick Green

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little
temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
                                   -Benjamin Franklin