Antennas, antenna mounting and SMA connectors for V1.5 Radio Throttles.
For the Internal Linx Antenna, see here
.
With the increases in performance, response and range of the V1.5 radio upgrade, use the ANT-916-CW-RH antenna from Linx Technologies that NCE mentions in the RB02 manual. This makes all the throttles, more user friendly.
Testing of these antennas provided a range of greater than 75 foot with
only the RB02 (no repeaters) mounted on the floor. Centrally mounting the RB02, would provide reception on an approximately 150 foot
long layout, more than enough for all but the biggest of layouts (those lucky
people).
For most layout installations, it is only necessary to use only an RB02.
Using one repeater provides a diversity base station system that provides two transmission paths for each throttle. This would eliminate any dead spots and would more than compensate for the marginal drop in reception using smaller antennas. Being able to use these smaller, more user friendly antennas far outweighs the extra cost of a repeater.
Note: The Procab in the photo is one I have modified by removing the Speed Wheel and installing a potentiometer in its place with a nice black 22 mm knob. I love the potentiometer and knob arrangement. It’s one thumb operation of the speed and direction.
Providing some extra support for the antenna connection.
To reduce antenna connector breakages I moved the radio board DOWN about
1/2 an inch by removing the “step” on the throttle’s centre support. On both of
my Radio Procabs, the existing hole in the throttle’s back made for a “tight”
fit on the antenna.
Now the antenna only sticks out 11/2 inches and looks “cool”.
Also the antenna had to be mounted from the inside, screwing the antenna onto the radio board before securing the board with double sided tape. This arrangement would mean antennas cannot be removed during transport of a throttle to another layout.
To remove the radio board, push a thin flexible blade of a disposable knife between the tape and the housing.
For Cab04s, I had to make a cut out in both the mid board supports in the Cab04s case, to allow for the board to move down. Moving the board down, the 2 cell battery compartment had to re-orientated, across the compartment as shown using a .020 styrene strip holding it place.
The spliced in extra wire is from the On Board battery chargers I have installed, see below for details.
I use NiMH rechargeable batteries and have fitted the
On Board battery chargers as per
See Mark’s Schutzer’s article for installation of one of these in your throttles.
As can be seen from the
design of the radio board with this space on the top and the row of holes, this
ANT-916-SP
29 mm x 14 mm “Splatch” internal antenna from Linx
Technologies, was what was supposed to be on the first and subsequent radio
boards. Maybe now that the Version 1.5 performs so good, maybe NCE will make
all radio throttles without antennas.
The reception LED leads had to re-routed, as they impacted on the radio performance.
This photo shows the Splatch antenna fitted to my Power Cab, hence no “antenna” hole in the housing and using one of my “early” radio boards that did NOT have the copper on the NON “component” side of the radio board. If using a later board with the copper in place, this will have to be removed as it will effect radio transmission.
I tried another internal antenna, the ANT-916-JJB. These are easily
fitted to any of the radio boards, if it is lowered down by removing the step
in the centre support of the rear throttle housing. I replaced the radio
“activity” LED.
My experiences with antennas with the “new” Ver 1.5 radio.
For
my double deck HO layout located in roughly a 30’ x 32,’ I have found, without
an antenna fitted to one of my Procabs, the “Polling” LED on top of the
throttle was flashing and I could control trains when within 5 feet of the
RB02. Previously (prior to V 1.5), I had 
trouble with reception
with the 7 inch antennas. This increased reception of the V 1.5 radio means
that we can use smaller or internal antennas that will make the throttle all
that much more “user friendly”.
With just the RB02 (no repeaters), I found “straight line” reception of the 2 inch antennas greater than 100 feet. When I operated around my layout, I had a couple of dead spots.
Both the throttles fitted with the INTERNAL antennas had many dead spots, making the reception of this “setup”, in my layout unreliable. It was worse with a few operators around the layout.
Connecting the two repeaters to the RB02 (that I had previously purchased), “fixed” many of the dead spots but I found a difference with between the two. The JJB had poorer reception of the two.
Many other radio users have reported that they don’t have radio issues with pre V1.5 radio. I feel my layout must have a “poor” radio characteristics or too much interference.
Discussion on the NCE
Yahoo group (Nov/Dec 08), Michael Beckemeier told us he had fitted a piece of
wire connected to the “pad”, where a previously mounted REV SMA connector was
fitted, for the 10 Procabs at his club, with good results. You mileage may
vary.
Thanks Mike for the photo that are available at Yahoo
NCE Group Photos. One is copied at the left.
One day I’ll make one of these “home made” antennas and I’ll post my results here.
Broken Antenna Connection using the CONREVSMA006.031 Fix.
Some radio users have broken the Rev SMA connector that the antenna plugs into, due there is no physical support except the circuit board connections. I have recommended replacing these SMA connectors with a CONREVSMA006.31 bulkhead long thread type of connector that provides support. This arrangement will reduce breakages, but the antenna came out at an angle. Grinding away of the throttle housing and purchasing a thin washer was necessary to get it to look good.
Both the ANT-916-CW-RH antenna and the CONREVSMA006.031 connector are available from Linx Technologies and their distributors Digikey. The data sheet for:
The original connector is a CONREVSMA003.31.
For Australian NCE Radio users.
The ANT-916-CW-RH and the CONREVSMA006.031 are available from Linx Technologiess Australian distributor:
Clarke & Severn Electronics
Unit 4/8a
Hornsby NSW 2077
Phone No 02 9482 1944
NCE Radio antenna SMA receptacle replacement.
Ron
List:
I've added a small album to the Photo Section detailing what parts I used to replace the NCE supplied Reverse SMA Connector on the Radio Boards that came with my CAB04pr's, to make the antenna mounting stronger.
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/NCE-DCC/photos/browse/92d5
After the first times crews used the new Radio Cabs, I found three or four of the SMA connectors on the Radio Boards had broken off from the circuit board from either dropping the cab, or just putting a little too much stress on the antenna.
What I found in the stock CAB04pr was that the SMA connector and attached radio circuit board took all the pressure if the antenna was stressed, since the radio board wasn't using the Cab Shell as stress relief.
My solution was to cut out the stock SMA connector, order a longer connector (deeper threads) that included a washer that I could use inside the Cab Shell, and purchased some ugly washers from Home Depot to place outside the cab before tightening down the antenna (5/8 inch diameter, 1/4 inch hole). The board now sits a bit lower in the Cab04, but it still fits without issue, and if you really need to see the LED flashing from any angle, you could extend the LED leads so it peaks outside of the Cab enclosure.
I've not had one broken radio cab SMA connector since the modifications, and haven't noticed any difference in the operation of the cabs either.
My source for the reverse SMA connectors was Linx Technologies:
PHONE: (800) 736-6677 FAX: (541) 471-6251
Current price list has them at $3.87 US each in quantities < 200.
Part number CONREVSMA006.031
Arrow 1/3rd the way down to RP-SMA Female Edge Multi-Mount for 0.031 Thick Board.
Linx Technologiess Minimum Qty is 1.
The Radio Board is 0.036 thick and has solder pads on ONE side only for the SMA connector legs. I would prefer to fit 0.031 versions as this would make a tight fit on the board. Everything counts here. The fact that I can buy a few for my radio throttles without having to find others to take my minimum order of 50 from Digikey, Ill buy them here.
Linx
Technologies have a retail arm called
A diagram with all measurements etc is at:
http://www.connectorcity.com/diagrams/RP-SMA/CONREVSMA006.031.pdf
Linx Technologies HOME page at:
Digikey stock the 0.62 version of the connector but the Standard Package is 50 and the manufacturer is Linx Technologies and they sell hem singularly.
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=CONREVSMA006.062-ND
Linx Technologies carries the ANT-916-CW-RH antennas. The data sheet for the antenna is at:
http://www.antennafactor.com/documents/ANT-916-CW-RH_Data_Sheet.pdf