MCX Plug Aerial U/S, New Antennae?

[paulspot]

All,

I sent this email to Chris yesterday, no reply as yet and I know he is busy so I thought I would ask advice on the forum:

"Sorry to trouble you, would you mind answering a fairly straightforward question please?

I have an R820T dongle plugged into my laptop which has served me well for a semi-portable ADSB PlanePlotter feed.

However, last night for some inexplicable reason the antennae cable detached from inside the little mag-mount core and rendered the aerial useless.

In my mind I'm probably better off buying an MCX plug male adapter to BNC similar to the one in the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Female-Right-Angle-Cable-Adapter/dp/B00VJSHBK4/ref=pd_sim_147_12?ie=UTF8&dpID=31xC9xUUBML&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1MWMBTR9FCHR08SMJWKN

........and buying one of your ADSB mini whips:

http://www.tmrf.co.uk/product/md-1100sbs-bnc/

to give me a much better antennae.

Thoughts please?"

Thanks chaps.

Paul M

[Anmer]

That should work OK but check that Chris doesn't offer an antenna with an MCX connector?

Or buy an MCX/BNC connector without the lead:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/WYHP-Female-Straight-Connector-Adapters/dp/B00RYIMFFO/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1447431405&sr=1-4&keywords=bnc+to+mcx+connector

[paulspot]

Thanks Anmer.

I think the connector without the lead would be too heavy for the dongle. I think it needs the lead to take the weight away from the delicate MCX connection?

I'll try and speak to Chris if he's in tomorrow to see if he concurs, but yes an md-1100sbs-mcx would be ideal!

Paul M

[IanH]

You might want to investigate the inside of the magmount aerial - nothing lost.

Someone in the link below chopped it apart but reckons some gentle manipulation of the base might get it off.

http://discussions.flightaware.com/ads-b-flight-tracking-f21/three-easy-diy-antennas-for-beginners-t20177.html

At the bottom of the 1st page.

If that fails, Chris probably does antenna with the typical SMA connector.

Edit : like this http://www.tmrf.co.uk/product/md-1100sbs/

You can get SMA-MCX adapters here:
https://www.cosycave.co.uk/index.php?id_product=86&controller=product

[paulspot]

Thanks Ian.

Unfortunately it's already in the bin!

I'll see what Chris says when I can get hold of him.

Paul M

[IanH]

ok 

The SMA connector (as used on later Kinetic hardware) is more compact than BNC which may be better connected to a dongle.

The aerial I use when out and about has that SMA connector and, with the converter I posted,  is used with a 10 inch tablet.

Also the aerial with SMA is cheaper than with BNC

[paulspot]

All,

I've ordered the CosyCave SMA-MCX adapter:

https://www.cosycave.co.uk/index.php?id_product=86&controller=product

Could someone please confirm this TMRF aerial is supplied with the appropriate male SMA connection?

http://www.tmrf.co.uk/product/md-1100sbs/

Many thanks.

Paul M

[Anmer]

It should have a male sma connector if it's for the SBS-3 and SBS-1e/eR.

[paulspot]

Gents,

FYI, this set-up works very well:

The R280T dongle, then the CosyCave SMA-MCX adapter, then the TMRF MD-1100SBS.

It's about as "financially rewarding v traffic seen" set up as you could have!

I think the whole lot including postage was under £70. Not bad for a secondary set up.

Thank you for all your inputs.

Paul M