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:
Seems they have changed address, now at:
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 Technologies’s 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,
I’ll 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
For Australian NCE Radio users.
Linx Technologies’s Australian
distributor is Clarke & Severn Electronics, located at
Hornsby NSW, just up the road from me.
Phone No 02 9482 1944
They have the .062 versions only, in stock at A$5.31
and sell them individually. They will get in the .031 versions in, but the
order has to greater than A$50 worth.