UPDATE! They sold out of adapters on Amazon. Good news though, Signal Stuff sells CHEAPER adapters on their site and they’re good quality. See links below. SMA to BNC adapter for SMA female radios (Japanese radios, ICOM, Yaesu, etc.): signalstuff.com/product/smam-to-bnc-adapter/?ref=622 SMA to BNC adapter for SMA male radios (Chinese radios, baofeng, etc.): signalstuff.com/product/sma-f-to-bnc-f-adapter/?ref=622 Signal Stuff Signal Stick signalstuff.com/?ref=622 (This is an affiliate link)
Also the mechanics of SMA usage on an HT you might ue in your car in particular can beat up the SMA side on the HT. Instead of partial twit or even collar tightening, with car connections where you have the lead come into the passenger compartment, you have to line it up and turn the HT itself to tighten which particlaylyu lends itself to stress or even cross threading the connection on the radio.
With your success with the ABBREE antennas, why do you still feel the Signal Stick is superior? Asking because I’m debating between the two antennas. I like the simplicity of the Signal Stick, but can appreciate the benefits of a longer one to help with line of sight gains (even though it is probably minimal).
I literally are received my glow-in-the-dark Signal stuff antenna today and was trying to figure this out… Your timing could not have been better, thank you
Josh, Yes it's true I immediately go to Amazon after every one of your videos, but that's life. I really appreciate your experience and knowledge in the radio world and have come to trust your opinion. Thank you for all of your time and effort in creating these gems of radio info.
I'm old enough to remember all HT's used to be BNC. I still can't imagine why everything went to SMA. Since then, every HT I've owned has had a BNC adapter on it, and I've always been ridiculed for it. Thanks for thinking the way I do!
This is amazing. I was just trying to figure out a solution to this potential problem and upgrade my antennas as well. Every single one of my questions answered in 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
A trimmed acid brush and rubbing alcohol to wash out both the radio and antenna connectors will keep the shavings from multiple SMA uses from affecting the connection.
Just had a discussion with my coworker about this on Friday, I was considering moving everything to BNC, starting with SDRs. Got this idea from watching you quickly switch things and now I have more supporting data
Be aware that not all connectors have the same bandwidth or power handling, SMA can do into the GHz and so can N connectors, UHF connectors aren't actually very good beyond VHF, and BNC isn't good for microwaves. It's pretty much a case of what connector is best for the application. Get a few adapters so you can convert between them if you need. N is a good intermediate for high power at up to tens of GHz, and SMA, for lower power at a similar frequency range. BNC is fine for anything up to the 70cm band at modest power levels.
Great video on an important subject!!!! I put BNC connectors on all of my "SMA" devices, radios, nanoVNA, SDR radios, etc. SMA connectors are great, but they have a limited number of insertions before they become problematic. Also one should not rotate the pin when connecting a SMA connector. That also shortens the live of the connector.
I got a signal stick for my IC-705. SWR was 3:1 without a counter poise. Came across an BNC Abbree 42.5" foldable antenna. Received it the other day and got tried it out. Fully extended on the IC-705, SWR was just above 1.5:1. Folded over 4 inches and the top of the antenna just to see what the SWR is, it dropped like a rock. Minimal SWR across the 2m band. As for some of the BNC antennas I got, I've bought a couple of Yaesu adapters and use them on my FT3D. Probably going to get a few more adapters for my Baofeng radios to run those BNC antennas.
I'm studying for my technician license, and after watching many of your videos and streams I don't feel like I understand most of what you're talking about because of the language barrier. Can you make a show about the vocabulary/jargon? You and many other content creators have lots of vieos about ham radio/amatuer radio but so much is over my head because you're not starting at the beginner level. You have as many abrreviations and acronyms as the military. If you've already made a show, I can't seem to find it. Or if any one in this comments section could point me to a good vocabulary list so that I may understand the why behind the study questions.Thanks for all the info that you have put out already.
I've been watching your vids now for a few weeks, and finally subbed. So, I'm an off road Jeep person, and over the last year or two, there's been a BIG swing in trail comms from CB to GMRS. Just ordered the BF-8FHP and the BTECH GMRS-V1. I will be getting the GMRS license, and although I know the 8FHP is capable, I won't be TRANSMITTING on channels I shouldn't (thanks to your chirp programming vid, I know how to disable tx function), so you HAM guys don't get your panties in a wad, LOL! Seriously, I'm well aware of SWR tuning from my CB days, but I'll be damned if I can find a vid about the SWR with the factory rubber ducks these radios come with. If you could do a vid on that, and how to fix an SWR problem (if you have one), that would help folks like me out a lot. Thanks, and keep educating us dummies!!
I have my Jeep setup with a mount from JeepUniq and a BNC run to external antenna. With this I can use either my AnyTone 878 or my GMRS-V1 with the BNC connectors I got from SignalStuff.
Renewed my interest in ham radio, loved the idea of BNC universality, but it wouldn’t work on the Uv9R models, but now there’s a how to video on UA-cam
I added a wire hanging down from the BNC ground of the same length of the antenna to make a dipole. This increased a local Repeater S unit report by one point.
This is exactly what I've been doing for the last 2 months. Been running into issues though as soon as I use an antenna extension or the longer abree flat antennas (both worked perfectly fine before). Oddly enough after some testing I can transmit and recieve just fine HT to HT...but NOAA won't come in at all unless I use a stock baofeng antenna 🤔🤨
Hmmm I like your suggestion. I have used PL-239 adapters on mine ready for homebase antenna for 2m 70cm and possibly a 10metre half wave folded dipole strung across small garden. I currently own 2xBaofeng, and a SDR Dongle. Looking at 10 Metre radios now as I now have a licence for the UK. 73
You were lucky. My Signal Stick and adapter was defective and had bare wire showing. Also, could not remove antenna from adapter. Won't purchase from them again. Guess they don't check quality prior to shipping. UPDATE: I will try again. I ordered two more antennas, adapters, and magnetic car mount. Most companies deserve a second chance. I did send pictures to them and am waiting for a response. Final Update: Signal Stick has been replaced by company at no charge! Excellent service! New antennas that I ordered came in and were in excellent condition, as well as the magnet mount for the car. Looking forward to trying it. Will continue to do business with them.
2 comments: Signal Stuff antennas are not a good solution for people who are using their radio in sub-freezing temps. At 20F there is antenna droop. At -10F there is significant antenna droop (like, 90 degrees drooping). If your use case does not involve using the antenna in cold temps, then rock on. They do stand up to being thrown in a bag with gear and knocked around a bunch. Next, consider what bands you need. In my experience, a Baofeng user, if they are only using 440 and if they have one of the upgraded antennas, probably doesn't need to upgrade. However, for my uses, I like being able to have a small antenna when the radio is on my person and I like having the ability to attach coax and a dipole for longer range chatting, so those BNC connectors have been great.
I will be doing this along with the Super-elastic Signal Stick: BNC antenna and their black SMA-F to BNC-F Adapter but please recommend a good magnetic mount BNC car antenna for the BF-F8HP. I can't find one.
I like my smiley antenna telescoping halfwave antenna, but I think using it on my bicycle cooked my HT's SMA antenna jack's internal connection. I may look into replacing the jack but have been eyeing a VX6R fir a while.
I just ordered a signal stick after watching one of your other videos, Been an operator for almost 30 years and always love to learning new things. Thanks for the great content. 73' VE3KNZ
Can you do more videos like this? I don't have the attention span to watch full live Streams anymore. And/or who else in the ham community do you recommend I watch?
thank you for the advice, ordered up the sma to bnc and the dual band antenna for my FT5D. FWIW when I looked on Amazon the adaptors were huge, half inch in diameter, woould not have fit my radio
Well SMA to BNC adapter is very useful addition. Bad for me that I discovered it only after I started having problems with my VX6R. I switch antennas several times a day for the past 6 month.....
SMA connectors get a bad rap. YES, it's true they have a "lifespan", but they are not inherently weak. The adapters you show here are of good quality, but there are other styles that put more stress on the radio's connector and should be avoided. My early UV5R (made in 2012) is still rock solid. BNC is great if you change antennas often, but many cheap connectors don't fit snugly and allow the antenna to pivot on the pins and damage the connector.
Very good video. Would be great if you could do a review on HF and/or VHF/UHF radio with data ports, they are hard to find or get information on. Maybe you will have better luck.
Man I wish you had done this last night. I've got my first radio (Yaesu FT3DR) on the way and I just ordered a couple of signal sticks last night to go with it. Sounds like I should have got the adapter instead of the one with the regular attachment on it.
Gday Josh, If you want to go back to your stock standard antenna. Would you use another bnc to sma on top of the first adaptor. From Ross in Brisbane Australia. I hope that makes sense.
Thanks for the Video Josh, that was just the information I was looking for! I went to SignalStuff looking for the SMA male to BNC female adapter for my Yaesu FT-60 radio, which I found. But they didn't have the BNC adapter that screws into the antenna. I was hoping you or someone can help with where I can purchase that piece. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Love your videos but, I knew and bought TYT UV88 radio, unfortunately I have no idea how to use it at all. Can you make a video using this radio or suggest a similar video? Thanks.
The adapter should behave as part of the feedline rather than part of the antenna system. There's a matching circuit (really just a capacitive element between the coax feedline and shield) that inhibits the feedline from acting like part of the antenna. When I got my adapters, I tested the SWR with and without the adapter and there was no detectable difference between the two.
@@Tobascodagama This is in theory true, but in practice not entirely true; measuring SWR of an HT antenna is nearly useless because so much depends on the "counterpoise", which is in this case basically your arm, the chassis of the radio, etc etc etc. In my experience varying the length of most HT antennas by about 1" either direction makes a lot less difference than you would expect. One of the reasons it's so hard to measure SWR on an HT antenna though is that anything you add to measure it -- even feedline -- will actually change the antenna system by a *lot*. This is particularly true with a 1/4 wave antenna such as the Signal Stick (I make those, btw, which is why I've spent so much time on this). Different types of antennas are affected more or less by this, mostly depending on how the groundplane on the antenna works. It's kinda weird stuff; if you measure the same antenna with 10 different antenna analyzers you'll get different readings with each one. Grounding the antenna can help, but it's hard to argue that as being a realistic scenario for real-world use =]
Just in time! I bought that Mate after seeing your review. It's a seven band radio and I'm not sure what antenna to upgrade to. A dual band is probably the first priority, buy do I need a second or just use the original when on RX only bands? Thanks for all you do.
Hi Josh. @ 1:40 is that a Diamond? Also I am looking to place an antenna in the same spot on my roof. What do you use for coax on that type of install? RG-213?
Hi Josh, you did not mention SMARP connectors used on many of the cheap Chinese radios. I feel this is a serious omission as people ordering a adapter could look at the radio, see a pin, and order a female to female BNC adaptor, and not fit. Rick, VE7RY
If I wanted to put a BNC adaptor onto, say, a Baofeng (male) and a TYT TH-UV8000 radio, what sort do I need and where is the best place to buy them for ten radios? Also, I've known people who have had antennas for years with no discernible wear. If you had to guess how many times an antenna (overall) could be attached and unattached, what would you say? Are we talking tens, hundreds or thousands? I'm not trying to pin you down, but it does make sense that they would wear over time. I have friends with Signal.Sticks who have had them for many uses, but someone might not even realize they are losing signal strength through a worn connection. Thnx!
Hello I'm new to HAM, is it not better to put the bnc male part to the radio, becourse they are more robust than the female version(overall looking), that the female bnc could brake easyer, but I don't know even if they are antennas made that have female bnc connectors, beside the male adapters look on the radio a little wonky also with the wider part versions of the bnc female connectors that exist.🤔 I hope I have understandable written, Sorry English is not my first language, beside I'm disabled and have pain and that makes somtimes writing a and reading a mis or hit situation even in my mother language. I feel somtimes my many questions make people angry and I wouldn't dare asking more questions, it's not easy to learn stuff that's not uncomplicated and have a extremely amount of aspects. Sorry for so much writing.
Hey man, I got a yaesu ft3d and a diamond SRH77CA. No joke, I swear it was/is *worse* than the rubber duck it came with. What gives?! I couldn't hit repeaters supposedly 3-4 mi away with the diamond, but could hear with the duck I read that quite a lot of engineering goes into the rubber duck antenna by the manufacturer particularly yaesu I just wanted to bounce this off of you because you recommend getting an aftermarket antenna right out of the gate which is what I did and now I find myself using the ducky
Lol Both links say "you last purchased this..." looks like I'm ahead of the game this time. Also I will say I like the look of the knurled ones on particular radios, just wish they came in black. I used to swap out antennas in my work van since I can't put a mobile in it, but stuck a mag mount on the roof. It's so much better to have a BNC to just click off and on the HT.
Josh! Love the channel. Keep it up brother. Curious about your thoughts on the Yaesu FT3DR vs Anytone AT-D878UV (I have a OpenSpot3 so I can go with either one.) Thanks!
Thanks, I just ordered some. I had no idea the sma connector on my radio would wear out. I've been messing with them multiple times per day. Oh, but the way, the link to the MFJ4230 isn't working
The best part of this video is the NERF gun on the bench behind you.. Either an epic nerf battle ended before or started after this video. New video topic: Best HT for Epic Nerf battles with kids. Thanks for the great video!
Hey Josh, Thanks for the tips and I just wanted to ask what make and model of Montana did you show that you had on your roof I like the looks of that is probably something I could use to get back to me I’d appreciate it thank you sir
Ive only been away around 15 years and I remember every thing having uhf/259 connectors. Was never into HTs much though. These SMA connectors are a joke.
I bought an ICOM HT for CAP in the early 90s and it had a BNC built in. Why did companies get away from them? How many dB gain do you lose by adapting?
Hello! I just came across you channel, looking for the best ways to boots my Baofeng 888a radio distance. I considered making a directional antenna, or figuring out a way to connect my handheld into my TV antenna on the roof. I am new to radio scene, and looking for advice. Would getting a longer antenna increse the effective range of the radios? I send a radio with my kids when they walk up to the park, and the park is 500 yards away, and there is a point that the signal statics out when they walk only around 50 yards farther. I also like to have the radios on road trips, when more than one vehicle is traveling to the same place. So any advice is welcome. Let me know if there is something I can make, or what the best antenna would be for my needs. I like the Baofeng 888a and Baofengs programmability. Just hoping to up the range a bit. Thanks for you time and consideration.:)
Meeee I buy one and se swr was really bad and they send it another one and the same thing. I think they have to change something in the handheld antennas.
Thank you for this video and the others. Your videos are very informative. I had two questions if you don't mind. What bnc connector do you reccommend for a Yaesu FT 4XR? Also, I am interested in buying a short antenna for my FT 4XR for work. Can you transmit with a Diamond SRJF10 antenna as next to the antenna frequencies, it says, receive only on the purchasing websites. Thank you very much.
I like the Signal Stuff Signal Stick adapters. Link in description. I would not transmit on that stubby diamond. Get yourself another stubby that can transmit on
I know you are more of a ham radio guy than a FRS radio I hope you can answer my questions. I'm looking at the fairly new Retevis RT49p and the older Retevis RT45. Mainly for hiking, walking the beach and for fun. Sense of size difference which would be better for Quality sound and for distance would they both operate the same and waste of money for the more expensive one?
Question: I was doing some side research and found the loctite 290 is made for connecting two metal objects while maintaining electric passthru. It basically seals the connection between the two metals, makes the electrical path clean, and requires heat to be removed. Seems to me it is the perfect thing for the SMA to BNC adapter. Your thoughts?
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Well right now you screw in the converter and now you install BNC antenna. But I would think over time that converter can loosen. Electrically that becomes a source of RF leak. Loctite 290 will fill the threads creating a solid connection between the converter and the mount on the radio at the molecular level creating an electrically perfect bind. And no amount of vibrations or antenna changes will loosen that connection. It also has an anaerobic curing so it is designed to cure when there is a lack of oxygen.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse After I added a BNC adapter to my Anytone, I put an SMA-BNC on the antenna, then 3D printed a sleeve using TPU filament to reinforce the connection. It seems solid now, and works okay.
i wish you would try the 10 watt TYT 8000E from Radioddity. It comes with two antennas, car charger and house charger. i like it better than the wouxun kg-uv9t
If the black coating is anodized or paint, the outer coax shield/conductor will have connectivity issues when connecting to a coax cable for connecting to an outside antenna. .....but should work OK for feeding a rubber duck or signal stick antenna where there is no shield connection needed. Am I correct in my thinking ?
How many times are you going to make this comment? The threads of the adapter are tapped bare metal... This connects the shield of the antenna to radio. The pin is still just the bare metal center pin... NO ISSUE with exterior anodizing.
Hi I got a wouxun kg-uv2d 2m and 4m but looking get better antenna for it use in my bed room or when I go out side if bac is better do you no what antenna need for my radio then I get bnc for my radio
What about the Super-elastic Signal Stick? Is there a version that'll work with the 2 meter only Icom IC-V86? Love to have a glow in the dark one on my radio!
Hi Josh, What’s the make and model of your vertical antenna you reference in this video that’s installed on your house? I just bought a Yaesu VX-6 and I’m wanting to install an external antenna on my house so I have the ability to use my HT from my basement in the event of an emergency. Thank you in advance. TMASS
Is it really that much of a problem to just use SMA connectors? I just spent a boatload on an FT-60, VX6R and I do have a couple of diamond SRH77CA antennas. They’re really really good. But watching this video and seeing people talk about the SMA connector makes me worried
UPDATE! They sold out of adapters on Amazon. Good news though, Signal Stuff sells CHEAPER adapters on their site and they’re good quality. See links below.
SMA to BNC adapter for SMA female radios (Japanese radios, ICOM, Yaesu, etc.): signalstuff.com/product/smam-to-bnc-adapter/?ref=622
SMA to BNC adapter for SMA male radios (Chinese radios, baofeng, etc.):
signalstuff.com/product/sma-f-to-bnc-f-adapter/?ref=622
Signal Stuff Signal Stick signalstuff.com/?ref=622
(This is an affiliate link)
Also the mechanics of SMA usage on an HT you might ue in your car in particular can beat up the SMA side on the HT. Instead of partial twit or even collar tightening, with car connections where you have the lead come into the passenger compartment, you have to line it up and turn the HT itself to tighten which particlaylyu lends itself to stress or even cross threading the connection on the radio.
And they are sold out on the website too. Brilliant!
I think you got the connectors wrong. I ordered the SMA Males thinking for Baofeng and Female for my Yaesu and it was the opposite.
With your success with the ABBREE antennas, why do you still feel the Signal Stick is superior? Asking because I’m debating between the two antennas. I like the simplicity of the Signal Stick, but can appreciate the benefits of a longer one to help with line of sight gains (even though it is probably minimal).
I literally are received my glow-in-the-dark Signal stuff antenna today and was trying to figure this out… Your timing could not have been better, thank you
I have tried quite a few antenna on my HT's and the signal sticks ALWAYS give me the best results.
Josh, Yes it's true I immediately go to Amazon after every one of your videos, but that's life. I really appreciate your experience and knowledge in the radio world and have come to trust your opinion. Thank you for all of your time and effort in creating these gems of radio info.
I'm old enough to remember all HT's used to be BNC. I still can't imagine why everything went to SMA. Since then, every HT I've owned has had a BNC adapter on it, and I've always been ridiculed for it. Thanks for thinking the way I do!
Wish I had thought of that. I've got three HTs. Just my luck one is BNC, one SMA male, and one SMA female. I think I'll still consider adapters.
This is amazing. I was just trying to figure out a solution to this potential problem and upgrade my antennas as well. Every single one of my questions answered in 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
A trimmed acid brush and rubbing alcohol to wash out both the radio and antenna connectors will keep the shavings from multiple SMA uses from affecting the connection.
Just had a discussion with my coworker about this on Friday, I was considering moving everything to BNC, starting with SDRs. Got this idea from watching you quickly switch things and now I have more supporting data
Be aware that not all connectors have the same bandwidth or power handling, SMA can do into the GHz and so can N connectors, UHF connectors aren't actually very good beyond VHF, and BNC isn't good for microwaves. It's pretty much a case of what connector is best for the application. Get a few adapters so you can convert between them if you need. N is a good intermediate for high power at up to tens of GHz, and SMA, for lower power at a similar frequency range. BNC is fine for anything up to the 70cm band at modest power levels.
This is the first Josh video that didn't cost me $150. (until I have to start buying bnc antennas... dang.)
Great video on an important subject!!!! I put BNC connectors on all of my "SMA" devices, radios, nanoVNA, SDR radios, etc. SMA connectors are great, but they have a limited number of insertions before they become problematic. Also one should not rotate the pin when connecting a SMA connector. That also shortens the live of the connector.
Just be aware that BNC doesn't go up into the GHz as well as SMA does.
Great Video I have my Signal Stick for the FT-60R and just ordered the Signal Staff antenna and some of those adapters.
Great info about the BNC-adapters, protecting the SMA connector of the radio!
I'm glad I saw this video as I'm about to pull the trigger on a pair of TidRadio TD-H8 radios. I just added the BNC adaptors to the list.
I got a signal stick for my IC-705. SWR was 3:1 without a counter poise. Came across an BNC Abbree 42.5" foldable antenna.
Received it the other day and got tried it out. Fully extended on the IC-705, SWR was just above 1.5:1. Folded over 4 inches and the top of the antenna just to see what the SWR is, it dropped like a rock. Minimal SWR across the 2m band.
As for some of the BNC antennas I got, I've bought a couple of Yaesu adapters and use them on my FT3D. Probably going to get a few more adapters for my Baofeng radios to run those BNC antennas.
I'm studying for my technician license, and after watching many of your videos and streams I don't feel like I understand most of what you're talking about because of the language barrier. Can you make a show about the vocabulary/jargon? You and many other content creators have lots of vieos about ham radio/amatuer radio but so much is over my head because you're not starting at the beginner level. You have as many abrreviations and acronyms as the military. If you've already made a show, I can't seem to find it. Or if any one in this comments section could point me to a good vocabulary list so that I may understand the why behind the study questions.Thanks for all the info that you have put out already.
This. So much this. I just passed my tech exam, but still feel lost.
I've been watching your vids now for a few weeks, and finally subbed. So, I'm an off road Jeep person, and over the last year or two, there's been a BIG swing in trail comms from CB to GMRS. Just ordered the BF-8FHP and the BTECH GMRS-V1. I will be getting the GMRS license, and although I know the 8FHP is capable, I won't be TRANSMITTING on channels I shouldn't (thanks to your chirp programming vid, I know how to disable tx function), so you HAM guys don't get your panties in a wad, LOL! Seriously, I'm well aware of SWR tuning from my CB days, but I'll be damned if I can find a vid about the SWR with the factory rubber ducks these radios come with. If you could do a vid on that, and how to fix an SWR problem (if you have one), that would help folks like me out a lot. Thanks, and keep educating us dummies!!
Thanks for watching! Cheers!
I have my Jeep setup with a mount from JeepUniq and a BNC run to external antenna. With this I can use either my AnyTone 878 or my GMRS-V1 with the BNC connectors I got from SignalStuff.
Renewed my interest in ham radio, loved the idea of BNC universality, but it wouldn’t work on the Uv9R models, but now there’s a how to video on UA-cam
I added a wire hanging down from the BNC ground of the same length of the antenna to make a dipole. This increased a local Repeater S unit report by one point.
New to radios. Bought a bunch of SMA to BNC connectors last week for this purpose.
Hi Josh, good info. I use the bnc to sma in my vehicle as well for my dmr radio in my truck!
This is exactly what I've been doing for the last 2 months. Been running into issues though as soon as I use an antenna extension or the longer abree flat antennas (both worked perfectly fine before). Oddly enough after some testing I can transmit and recieve just fine HT to HT...but NOAA won't come in at all unless I use a stock baofeng antenna 🤔🤨
Hmmm I like your suggestion. I have used PL-239 adapters on mine ready for homebase antenna for 2m 70cm and possibly a 10metre half wave folded dipole strung across small garden. I currently own 2xBaofeng, and a SDR Dongle. Looking at 10 Metre radios now as I now have a licence for the UK. 73
You were lucky. My Signal Stick and adapter was defective and had bare wire showing. Also, could not remove antenna from adapter. Won't purchase from them again. Guess they don't check quality prior to shipping.
UPDATE: I will try again. I ordered two more antennas, adapters, and magnetic car mount. Most companies deserve a second chance. I did send pictures to them and am waiting for a response.
Final Update: Signal Stick has been replaced by company at no charge! Excellent service! New antennas that I ordered came in and were in excellent condition, as well as the magnet mount for the car. Looking forward to trying it. Will continue to do business with them.
2 comments:
Signal Stuff antennas are not a good solution for people who are using their radio in sub-freezing temps. At 20F there is antenna droop. At -10F there is significant antenna droop (like, 90 degrees drooping). If your use case does not involve using the antenna in cold temps, then rock on. They do stand up to being thrown in a bag with gear and knocked around a bunch.
Next, consider what bands you need. In my experience, a Baofeng user, if they are only using 440 and if they have one of the upgraded antennas, probably doesn't need to upgrade. However, for my uses, I like being able to have a small antenna when the radio is on my person and I like having the ability to attach coax and a dipole for longer range chatting, so those BNC connectors have been great.
I will be doing this along with the Super-elastic Signal Stick: BNC antenna and their black SMA-F to BNC-F Adapter but please recommend a good magnetic mount BNC car antenna for the BF-F8HP. I can't find one.
Looking for same.
I like my smiley antenna telescoping halfwave antenna, but I think using it on my bicycle cooked my HT's SMA antenna jack's internal connection. I may look into replacing the jack but have been eyeing a VX6R fir a while.
Very good advice, thank you........ A little off topic, but which do you prefer between your Anytone and Wouxon in this video?
Learned the hard way to use BNC on anything I will be changing out often. Also, funny, Richard (signal stuff) is in my club! 73
I just ordered a signal stick after watching one of your other videos, Been an operator for almost 30 years and always love to learning new things. Thanks for the great content. 73' VE3KNZ
Thanks for watching John!
Can you do more videos like this? I don't have the attention span to watch full live Streams anymore. And/or who else in the ham community do you recommend I watch?
I do at least one short video a week 😬 go to my channel and look at the “uploads” playlist.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I know, and I watch em all
thank you for the advice, ordered up the sma to bnc and the dual band antenna for my FT5D. FWIW when I looked on Amazon the adaptors were huge, half inch in diameter, woould not have fit my radio
Well SMA to BNC adapter is very useful addition. Bad for me that I discovered it only after I started having problems with my VX6R. I switch antennas several times a day for the past 6 month.....
I see that you have two different adapters for the baofeng and the Yeasu. My ft-65r takes the same BNC adapter as the uv-82hp.
Love these shorter videos!
I just ordered from signal stick. Antenna and the adapter. Even dropped your name in the comment section.
Thanks Buddy!
An interesting way of connecting antennas. Thanks.
Never thought about it, good tip, thanks.
SMA connectors get a bad rap. YES, it's true they have a "lifespan", but they are not inherently weak. The adapters you show here are of good quality, but there are other styles that put more stress on the radio's connector and should be avoided. My early UV5R (made in 2012) is still rock solid. BNC is great if you change antennas often, but many cheap connectors don't fit snugly and allow the antenna to pivot on the pins and damage the connector.
Outstanding Info! I was literally just wondering if that was possible...
Very good video. Would be great if you could do a review on HF and/or VHF/UHF radio with data ports, they are hard to find or get information on. Maybe you will have better luck.
Man I wish you had done this last night. I've got my first radio (Yaesu FT3DR) on the way and I just ordered a couple of signal sticks last night to go with it. Sounds like I should have got the adapter instead of the one with the regular attachment on it.
Great advice. Thanks, Josh.
Gday Josh, If you want to go back to your stock standard antenna. Would you use another bnc to sma on top of the first adaptor. From Ross in Brisbane Australia. I hope that makes sense.
Nah. That creates too weak a spot on connectors. Just unscrew the BNC adapter.
Thanks Josh, I totally understand that.
Hey Josh. Great video, thanks! Question: I just picked up a pair of Baofeng BF-F8RT radios. Wondering what antenna you recommend please? Thanks!
Great tip there Josh, Wondering what your thoughts are on adding a pigtail. Barnie M7PBX.
Pigtails can help alot
Thanks for the Video Josh, that was just the information I was looking for! I went to SignalStuff looking for the SMA male to BNC female adapter for my Yaesu FT-60 radio, which I found. But they didn't have the BNC adapter that screws into the antenna. I was hoping you or someone can help with where I can purchase that piece. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
This was very helpful, Thank you!
I wish you had done this video two months ago before I ordered 4 antennas from signal stuff lol
Good info how to make connections radio to antennas .
Love your videos but, I knew and bought TYT UV88 radio, unfortunately I have no idea how to use it at all. Can you make a video using this radio or suggest a similar video? Thanks.
With the added length from the adapters would it not change the resonant frequency of the antenna?
The adapter should behave as part of the feedline rather than part of the antenna system. There's a matching circuit (really just a capacitive element between the coax feedline and shield) that inhibits the feedline from acting like part of the antenna. When I got my adapters, I tested the SWR with and without the adapter and there was no detectable difference between the two.
@@Tobascodagama This is in theory true, but in practice not entirely true; measuring SWR of an HT antenna is nearly useless because so much depends on the "counterpoise", which is in this case basically your arm, the chassis of the radio, etc etc etc. In my experience varying the length of most HT antennas by about 1" either direction makes a lot less difference than you would expect.
One of the reasons it's so hard to measure SWR on an HT antenna though is that anything you add to measure it -- even feedline -- will actually change the antenna system by a *lot*. This is particularly true with a 1/4 wave antenna such as the Signal Stick (I make those, btw, which is why I've spent so much time on this). Different types of antennas are affected more or less by this, mostly depending on how the groundplane on the antenna works.
It's kinda weird stuff; if you measure the same antenna with 10 different antenna analyzers you'll get different readings with each one. Grounding the antenna can help, but it's hard to argue that as being a realistic scenario for real-world use =]
Just in time! I bought that Mate after seeing your review. It's a seven band radio and I'm not sure what antenna to upgrade to. A dual band is probably the first priority, buy do I need a second or just use the original when on RX only bands? Thanks for all you do.
Hi Josh. @ 1:40 is that a Diamond? Also I am looking to place an antenna in the same spot on my roof. What do you use for coax on that type of install? RG-213?
On the Kg-uv9t mate can you tell what adapter to purchase please. Thank you
Hi Josh, you did not mention SMARP connectors used on many of the cheap Chinese radios. I feel this is a serious omission as people ordering a adapter could look at the radio, see a pin, and order a female to female BNC adaptor, and not fit. Rick, VE7RY
Which Chinese radio uses that connector?
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I somehow was of the impression that my Baofeng did, but on closer inspection it is not reversed, my bad, apologies to all.
If I wanted to put a BNC adaptor onto, say, a Baofeng (male) and a TYT TH-UV8000 radio, what sort do I need and where is the best place to buy them for ten radios? Also, I've known people who have had antennas for years with no discernible wear. If you had to guess how many times an antenna (overall) could be attached and unattached, what would you say? Are we talking tens, hundreds or thousands? I'm not trying to pin you down, but it does make sense that they would wear over time. I have friends with Signal.Sticks who have had them for many uses, but someone might not even realize they are losing signal strength through a worn connection.
Thnx!
What’s the antenna you have on your roof you showed a picture of brief second
MFJ Pulsar 17’
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I believe Leah referred to it as "The End of a Marriage."
Hello
I'm new to HAM, is it not better to put the bnc male part to the radio, becourse they are more robust than the female version(overall looking), that the female bnc could brake easyer, but I don't know even if they are antennas made that have female bnc connectors, beside the male adapters look on the radio a little wonky also with the wider part versions of the bnc female connectors that exist.🤔
I hope I have understandable written, Sorry English is not my first language, beside I'm disabled and have pain and that makes somtimes writing a and reading a mis or hit situation even in my mother language.
I feel somtimes my many questions make people angry and I wouldn't dare asking more questions, it's not easy to learn stuff that's not uncomplicated and have a extremely amount of aspects.
Sorry for so much writing.
This is news I could've used before buying two antennas! But it is confirmed by my other EE friends.
thank you good info you provide her
Hey man, I got a yaesu ft3d and a diamond SRH77CA. No joke, I swear it was/is *worse* than the rubber duck it came with. What gives?!
I couldn't hit repeaters supposedly 3-4 mi away with the diamond, but could hear with the duck
I read that quite a lot of engineering goes into the rubber duck antenna by the manufacturer particularly yaesu
I just wanted to bounce this off of you because you recommend getting an aftermarket antenna right out of the gate which is what I did and now I find myself using the ducky
Lol Both links say "you last purchased this..." looks like I'm ahead of the game this time. Also I will say I like the look of the knurled ones on particular radios, just wish they came in black.
I used to swap out antennas in my work van since I can't put a mobile in it, but stuck a mag mount on the roof. It's so much better to have a BNC to just click off and on the HT.
Josh! Love the channel. Keep it up brother. Curious about your thoughts on the Yaesu FT3DR vs Anytone AT-D878UV (I have a OpenSpot3 so I can go with either one.) Thanks!
I prefer the ft3dr
Thanks, I just ordered some. I had no idea the sma connector on my radio would wear out. I've been messing with them multiple times per day. Oh, but the way, the link to the MFJ4230 isn't working
Thanks for this great tip!
The best part of this video is the NERF gun on the bench behind you.. Either an epic nerf battle ended before or started after this video. New video topic: Best HT for Epic Nerf battles with kids. Thanks for the great video!
Do you have a video on the building of your antenna mounted on your roof?
Hey Josh, Thanks for the tips and I just wanted to ask what make and model of Montana did you show that you had on your roof I like the looks of that is probably something I could use to get back to me I’d appreciate it thank you sir
I’m just getting back on the air after 20+ years and wondered why nothing had BNC connectors anymore.
There's probably more than one reason, but I'm going to guess cost is a big one.
Ive only been away around 15 years and I remember every thing having uhf/259 connectors. Was never into HTs much though. These SMA connectors are a joke.
Fantastic tip, thanks
I bought an ICOM HT for CAP in the early 90s and it had a BNC built in. Why did companies get away from them? How many dB gain do you lose by adapting?
You lose an almost not measurable amount of signal.
One thing you should link is that L adapter you use on the 705 ;)
Hello! I just came across you channel, looking for the best ways to boots my Baofeng 888a radio distance. I considered making a directional antenna, or figuring out a way to connect my handheld into my TV antenna on the roof. I am new to radio scene, and looking for advice. Would getting a longer antenna increse the effective range of the radios? I send a radio with my kids when they walk up to the park, and the park is 500 yards away, and there is a point that the signal statics out when they walk only around 50 yards farther. I also like to have the radios on road trips, when more than one vehicle is traveling to the same place. So any advice is welcome. Let me know if there is something I can make, or what the best antenna would be for my needs. I like the Baofeng 888a and Baofengs programmability. Just hoping to up the range a bit. Thanks for you time and consideration.:)
Do you get losses putting additional connections betwenn the antenna and the actual HT connector?
Meeee I buy one and se swr was really bad and they send it another one and the same thing. I think they have to change something in the handheld antennas.
Good recommendation!
Thank you for this video and the others. Your videos are very informative. I had two questions if you don't mind.
What bnc connector do you reccommend for a Yaesu FT 4XR? Also, I am interested in buying a short antenna for my FT 4XR for work. Can you transmit with a Diamond SRJF10 antenna as next to the antenna frequencies, it says, receive only on the purchasing websites.
Thank you very much.
I like the Signal Stuff Signal Stick adapters. Link in description.
I would not transmit on that stubby diamond. Get yourself another stubby that can transmit on
Hello thanks for the awesome content. Im new to HR
Welcome to my favorite service/hobby, KØOJ
you should make a video showing off your filming setup in that room.
Hi Josh, new subscriber here in the UK, thinking of getting my first radio. Is the Baofeng Bf-H6 the way to go?
Fellow UK ham here - are you still looking for a first radio pick?
the BNC connector is less water resistant than SMA, so I wouldn't recommend this adapter if you plan to take your radio out into the elements.
I know you are more of a ham radio guy than a FRS radio I hope you can answer my questions. I'm looking at the fairly new Retevis RT49p and the older Retevis RT45. Mainly for hiking, walking the beach and for fun. Sense of size difference which would be better for Quality sound and for distance would they both operate the same and waste of money for the more expensive one?
Question: I was doing some side research and found the loctite 290 is made for connecting two metal objects while maintaining electric passthru. It basically seals the connection between the two metals, makes the electrical path clean, and requires heat to be removed. Seems to me it is the perfect thing for the SMA to BNC adapter. Your thoughts?
It's worth a shot. How strong is the connection? I have some concern of shorting the connector, but it's likely not that big a deal.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Well right now you screw in the converter and now you install BNC antenna. But I would think over time that converter can loosen. Electrically that becomes a source of RF leak. Loctite 290 will fill the threads creating a solid connection between the converter and the mount on the radio at the molecular level creating an electrically perfect bind. And no amount of vibrations or antenna changes will loosen that connection. It also has an anaerobic curing so it is designed to cure when there is a lack of oxygen.
Hey Josh, what about adapters to convert existing SMA antennas to BNC?
Generally this is a bad idea. It makes multiple parts of the antenna and radio vulnerable to sheer damage.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse After I added a BNC adapter to my Anytone, I put an SMA-BNC on the antenna, then 3D printed a sleeve using TPU filament to reinforce the connection. It seems solid now, and works okay.
Great Tip! Thx
i wish you would try the 10 watt TYT 8000E from Radioddity. It comes with two antennas, car charger and house charger. i like it better than the wouxun kg-uv9t
Can a machinist make an adaptor for me to fit a 102" antenna from a tractor trailer on a Baofeng?
Will it work?
LMAO
@@oldrango883 The above was a genuine question.
Can you help me?
Does BNC adapter cause power loss? I always assumed the more additional connectors there are the more losses in power there are?
An almost impossible to measure amount of loss is the accurate answer. Effectively no loss of not defective.
Okay, I am slow here...what type of adapter do I get for the antenna? Did I miss that part?
What, you don't like the Abbree antenna's any more? I still use the 18 inch one on my HT. I rarely remove it.
I like them fine. But sometimes I don’t want to smack myself in the face. 🤣
I've found signal sticks perform much better.
Great info thanks
If the black coating is anodized or paint, the outer coax shield/conductor will have connectivity issues when connecting to a coax cable for connecting to an outside antenna. .....but should work OK for feeding a rubber duck or signal stick antenna where there is no shield connection needed.
Am I correct in my thinking ?
How many times are you going to make this comment? The threads of the adapter are tapped bare metal... This connects the shield of the antenna to radio. The pin is still just the bare metal center pin... NO ISSUE with exterior anodizing.
Hi I got a wouxun kg-uv2d 2m and 4m but looking get better antenna for it use in my bed room or when I go out side if bac is better do you no what antenna need for my radio then I get bnc for my radio
Is that only if you are buying a certain typ of antenna? I got an upgraded antenna but it also has SMA connector. Or do you put an adapter on both?
You would need a bnc antenna.
What about the Super-elastic Signal Stick? Is there a version that'll work with the 2 meter only Icom IC-V86? Love to have a glow in the dark one on my radio!
Sure. Any of the signal sticks will work with 2 meter only radio. They are all good antennas.
Hi Josh,
What’s the make and model of your vertical antenna you reference in this video that’s installed on your house? I just bought a Yaesu VX-6 and I’m wanting to install an external antenna on my house so I have the ability to use my HT from my basement in the event of an emergency. Thank you in advance.
TMASS
Hey will all the hams heave the same thread !!??
GOOD JOB
Is it really that much of a problem to just use SMA connectors? I just spent a boatload on an FT-60, VX6R and I do have a couple of diamond SRH77CA antennas. They’re really really good. But watching this video and seeing people talk about the SMA connector makes me worried
A problem? No. But they do have a limited connect/disconnect life.