External aerial for Standard Horizon HX280E??

Fantasie 19

Fantasie 19

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Anyone know if it's possible to get an external aerial for a Standard Horizon HX280E? It has the usual stub scrw on type - I'm looking for a little extra range by mounting an external aerial at the back of the pushpit....
 
No problem. You need an SMA-BNC adapter, the Standard horizon version is their CN-3 adapter. That replaces the stubby aerial and you plug into that a standard VHF antenna via a length of cable with a BNC connector on the end. (If the antenna already has a PL259 connector on the cable you can use a BNC/SO239 adapter).
 
As Salty John says although I use a single cable that presents SMA - SO239.

I have the cable version rather than a single solid adapter since I take the handheld around with me when testing antennas and thought that it would put less stress on the handheld socket... The SO239 fitting at the end allows it to connect direct to most standard VHF antenna installations and not put the stress of a thick antenna cable on the H/H.

It was sold by somebody in Wales but if you're happy to order from Hong Kong then they look fairly common on eBay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMA-male-to-SO239-UHF-female-pigtail-for-FUNcube-SDR-dongle-etc-/191521373255?

Not sure on the loss but it's only a short length of cable.
 
Cheers guys - so I think I can use one of these, right? Then, as Salty John says, I just make sure my external aerial has a BNC plug...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nevada-UH...111?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d55fd73af

$_12.JPG
 
Fantasie 19 said:
Thanks very much chaps, this place is a mine of information...
Click to expand...

One last question - undoubtedly stupid, but if I don't ask I don't know... :rolleyes:

Aerial has arrived - RG58 cable, supplied with a PL259 to fit. Having bought one of these though ==>

$_12.JPG

(http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nevada-UHF...item5d55fd73af)

... I think I can fit a male BNC connector instead to save getting another adaptor - question- will any BNC connector do?? Lots of them are sold suitable for video camera's etc .. Will this do the job?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BNC-3-Par...615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item541c49ec9f
 
Fantasie 19 said:
Anyone know if it's possible to get an external aerial for a Standard Horizon HX280E? It has the usual stub scrw on type - I'm looking for a little extra range by mounting an external aerial at the back of the pushpit....
Click to expand...
When you have worked this all out is the any chance of publishing your list of parts (inc aerial)? I have the same radio and this sounds like a very good idea. I am baffled by all the bits and adapters etc though. Does an aerial come with cable attached, if so how long. Sorry I know nothing about this sort of set up but would be handy for a solo sailor like me. Ta.
 
Seashoreman said:
When you have worked this all out is the any chance of publishing your list of parts (inc aerial)? I have the same radio and this sounds like a very good idea. I am baffled by all the bits and adapters etc though. Does an aerial come with cable attached, if so how long. Sorry I know nothing about this sort of set up but would be handy for a solo sailor like me. Ta.
Click to expand...

Will do, like you they confuse the bejesus out of me - the boys here are very good though....

Just waiting on a response to whether any BNC connector will do - I'm guessing it will...
 
Seashoreman said:
When you have worked this all out is the any chance of publishing your list of parts (inc aerial)? I have the same radio and this sounds like a very good idea. I am baffled by all the bits and adapters etc though. Does an aerial come with cable attached, if so how long. Sorry I know nothing about this sort of set up but would be handy for a solo sailor like me. Ta.
Click to expand...

The best aerial imo is the Metz sold by salty john. The aerial comes without cable usually so you can buy two pl259 plugs (same as fit into back of most radios), buy the length of cable you want and buy the adapter mentioned:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PL259-PLUG...item1e74c006a5

and job's a good'un
 
Any BNC connector will do. The reason there is a variety is firstly an inlet size to suit the cable though mostly for RG58 standard about 6mm diameter. The second reason is that crimp on connectors are now popular and are of a different design. I am familiar with the old solder the pin on the centre type where the nut around the cable at the back also clamps the braid and holds it all together. good luck olewill
 
No - "any" BNC connector will NOT do.

They come in two forms - 50 ohms and 75 ohm. As a generalisation 50 ohms tend to be used in radio for matching to the correct aerial/co-ax and 75 ohms tend to be used in the video and TV world, again for matching to the correct cables etc.

Whilst a single 75ohm connector in a 50ohm low power radio installation is not the end of the world it is best to do it properly
 
Sailingsaves said:
The best aerial imo is the Metz sold by salty john. The aerial comes without cable usually so you can buy two pl259 plugs (same as fit into back of most radios), buy the length of cable you want and buy the adapter mentioned:
Click to expand...

Agree with the choice of aerial - but why would you buy the wrong plug and an adaptor instead of buying the right plug in the first place?

Pete
 
prv said:
Agree with the choice of aerial - but why would you buy the wrong plug and an adaptor instead of buying the right plug in the first place?

Pete
Click to expand...

Ah.. but what is the right plug?? The whole thing is a bit of a minefield really... :D

Take this little project -


  • I have an adaptor that takes the screw thread on the handheld and presents as BNC
  • I have an aerial (Banten) that came with 20 or 30 feet of RG58B cable, and a PL259 plug to be soldered on the end
  • So I think well rather than put the PL259 on I'll just out a BNC on to match the adaptor

..but then I find that there's more than one type of BNC connector there's 50ohms and 75ohms - the one I've bought is 75ohms - is that a showstopper?? No problem if it is it only cost a quid posted....
 
Fantasie 19 said:
Ah.. but what is the right plug?? The whole thing is a bit of a minefield really... :D

Take this little project -


  • I have an adaptor that takes the screw thread on the handheld and presents as BNC
  • I have an aerial (Banten) that came with 20 or 30 feet of RG58B cable, and a PL259 plug to be soldered on the end
  • So I think well rather than put the PL259 on I'll just out a BNC on to match the adaptor

..but then I find that there's more than one type of BNC connector there's 50ohms and 75ohms - the one I've bought is 75ohms - is that a showstopper?? No problem if it is it only cost a quid posted....
Click to expand...

Yes, I do not think there is a correct plug for the co-ax to SHorizon radio, hence my setup recommendation.

Also, it acts as an emergency aerial with all correct plugs (PL259) for practically all shipboard radios. £4 adapter is only needed for Handheld use.

This is the correct adapter as previous poster stated for SH. Makes my handheld actually useful for anything over 1nm.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PL259-PLU...a5&clk_rvr_id=807971694672&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

or here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMA-Male-...542?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4ae6af9126

I don't sell on ebay, so usual disclaimers.
 
Last edited:
mlines said:
No - "any" BNC connector will NOT do.

Whilst a single 75ohm connector in a 50ohm low power radio installation is not the end of the world it is best to do it properly
Click to expand...

In the middle of a cable run I might agree with you ... but right at the termination i think it would be 'splitting hairs'. (As for a PL259 into an adapter .... well if you are that bothered a PL259 is certainly not constant-impedance:( ).
 
Thanks to all - I'm getting there and understand a whole lot more now than I did when I started..

I'd ordered a 50 ohms BNC plug (the 75ohm one will go in the spares box) but I'm now also thinking about Sailingsaves advice as at some point in the next few years I'll be fitting a fixed VHF and that will undoubtedly present PL259.. so two choices -


  1. go with BNC for now, and then put a PL259 plug on the aerial and buy the SMA/PL259 converter (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PL259-PLUG...c=1&rmvSB=true) in a year or so... or,
  2. go with PL259 plug on the aerial straight away and buy the SMA/PL259 converter now

Second I think, but the BNC plugs are crimp-on and I don't own a soldering iron... :D
 
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