I've got a 900Mhz Maxtrac that I use as a feed for my ATCSMon server. While moving the Maxtrac yesterday, I went to tighten down the coax to the antenna connector, and I noticed that the antenna conenctor will spin around, making a full 360 degree (and more) circle!
This is the first Maxtrac that i've owned. However, i've had scanners that the same thing happened to happen to them and its the center conductor to PC board connection that's broken after spinning around like this. The Maxtrac still receives, but i'm also paranoid that something is broken.
Is it normal for Maxtrac antenna connectors to do this?
Thanks,
Warren
Maxtrac antenna connector problem?
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Re: Maxtrac antenna connector problem?
The Mini-UHF connector is only soldered to the board through the pin, and the outer shell(threaded) is clamped to the case with a nut and star washer.
If the outer body rotates, you might want to try tightening the nut first, then if no joy, replace the connector.
The center pin is the weak link to the connector, and it is easy to bend the fingers inside the white plastic body, making full contact impossible.
The nut/star washer compresses the connector body at the base, which is flanged to mate with the heatsink of the Maxtrac, so it is entirely possible you have pieces of the connector floating around the P.A board of the radio.
To be safe, remove the board and visually inspect the area to be certain this is not the case, as if there are metal pieces inside, failure is soon to follow.
If the outer body rotates, you might want to try tightening the nut first, then if no joy, replace the connector.
The center pin is the weak link to the connector, and it is easy to bend the fingers inside the white plastic body, making full contact impossible.
The nut/star washer compresses the connector body at the base, which is flanged to mate with the heatsink of the Maxtrac, so it is entirely possible you have pieces of the connector floating around the P.A board of the radio.
To be safe, remove the board and visually inspect the area to be certain this is not the case, as if there are metal pieces inside, failure is soon to follow.