Matt Meola
ex KCØDXW
|
Matt Meola ex KCØDXW |
|
|
Prototype 1The basic idea is to encapsulate the batter pack itself with a sheath, into which is fastened a BNC connector. From there, it is a simple matter of building a short jumper from the SMA connector on the radio to the BNC on the sheath. Prototype 1 involves a hand-bent piece of brass sheet fixed to the battery pack by means of a liberal amount of double-sided foam tape. The bends were made by just chucking the sheet into my vice and bending it with my hand. Obviously, this allows for LOTS of room for improvement; however, it gets the job done as a proof of concept. Below I have some photos of the prototype; click the images to get the full-size (1200x1600) version. This is the front-view of the radio with the adapter mounted; forgive the bluriness. It shows the right-angle SMA connector clearly enough, with the MFJ antenna on the BNC connector.
This show the fact that I wasn't very good at bending the sheet metal; the BNC connector ought to be vertical. One can also see that the adapter mounts to the radio, as well as the battery pack; that give it some rigidity. Prototype 2 will attempt to eliminate the dependence on the HT; it would be nice to be able to remove the battery. One final thing: it can also be seen that the shield of the RG-174 coax is soldered to the brass sheet -- this allows for somewhat of a ground plane, making the antenna a little more efficient.
The back side shot allows one to see the cut-out where the normal Kenwood belt clip would go. Prototype 2 will have a belt clip of its own, and it won't stick up quite so high.
|
