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[BarryM]

Maplins used to market a miniature in-line screened aerial plug and socket. (A tiny thing not much bigger than a 20p piece.) Then with a logic known only to them, they stopped selling the socket and continued to sell the plug. I have tried the webites of all those who might be expected to stock such bits without success. Can anybody help with a supplier?

Thanks to all who answer.

Barry M

[maninthestreet]

Can you provide a link to the plug they still sel?l Then we'll all know exactly what you mean.

[BarryM]

MITS,

Wish I could but having checked I now get a "This item is now discontinued" message for the plug on Maplins website. The item was part of their 'Mini UHF Series' of connectors. Just an ordinary screened plug and socket for RF connections of coaxial cable. The beauty of it was that it was only about 7mm dia., tops and 20mm long when assembled. I first saw them featured in Marine Modelling back in August 1998. Does that help?

My description of it as in-line is misleading as it was actually a plug and socket with the latter being flanged or fitted with a nut for panel mounting.

Barry M

[maninthestreet]

Googling 'mini uhf series' or 'mini uhf' returns many hits - are none of those the same thing?

[maninthestreet]

How about this? :


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mini-UHF-chassis-socket/dp/B000NVWDC4/ref=sr_1_12/202-8679277-8929469?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1177791045&sr=8-12#moreAboutThisProduct

[HS93 (RIP)]

Is there a reason why you want a screened aerial plug as reciver ant are not screened ? have you seen the type that hunter sell gold plated single pin,,you may find the type you need below

Peter

http://www.connectorco.co.uk/catalogue/coaxial.htm

MMCX FEMALE CRIMP

[BarryM]

Thanks for your help and I'm sure I can find something among the suggestions.

As for why I was looking for a screened plug, I can only refer to the original MM article noted above of which I quote an extract:-

"The routing of the aerial is important and at times difficult to keep clear of motor feed cables.One solution is to route it into the superstructure using part of the funnel/mast assembly as part of the aerial system. To do this you need to terminate the aerial close to the Rx and substitute a plug and socket connection for parting the superstructure and hull. Thi is OK but what is not generally appreciated is the any old plug and socket will not do when dealing with radio frequencies if you are to maintain maximum efficiency of the receiving system. If, for instance, you use a 4mm banana plug plug and socket there will be significant signal loss at that point. Far better to use a connector designed for RF connections."

Bet that sparks off another argument!   :)

Thanks again

Barry M

[HS93 (RIP)]

I don't know who the article was by but he does not know about RF ,as you are not using screened cable an RF plug is of no use.a simple Gold plated plug and socket will do .most RF plugs are just cheep plated unless you use GREENPAR. witch are silver plated but tarnish. you could simple coil your antenna wire away from motors esc and fit a gold plated simple plug.and then attach yourextra wire. the de tuning will be neglegable,Just do a range test,it also should not  effect the sensitivity of the receiver .

Peter

G0PAH

[Doc]

If you were talking about a transmitting antenna/aerial then a coaxial type plug/jack would certainly make sense.  But for a receiving antenna/aerial, don't bother.  As long as the plug/jack thingy makes fairly good mechanical and electrical connection, it ought to work just fine.  Since most boats are not made of metal, a simple hole through the non-metalic structure, filled with the conductor and glue (for sealing/mechanical strength) also works just fine.  Got some metal foil?  Glue it on the mast, paint over it, at the bottom end make connection to the antenna/aerial.  (Have I tried it?  Not lately, ran out of the @#$ foil.)  You guys still have any of the metal tape that used to be used in putting burglar alarm thingys on windows?  Paint with lots of metal content can work too.  Sort of difficult to solder too, but...
 - 'Doc

[BarryM]

One upon a time you could buy metallic paint to repair stick-on rear heated windows for cars. (I think I've still got some!)  Liquid aerial?

Barry M

[malcolmfrary]

The mag article was probably just being ultra-cautious.  If the receiver is not mounted almost in contact with the motor wiring, there is nothing to be gained by using coax for the below-deck aerial run, especially at 27 / 40 MHz.
As long as there is enough metal connected to the aerial input that is not also connected to battery ground, good reception and thus good range will result.
Another goodie that Maplin used to do was the car aerial which was basically a length of clear sticky tape with an aluminium strip up the middle and a socket at one end.  Another casualty of their marketing strategy of spotting anything useful and dumping it.