Date: Mon, 06 Dec 2004 19:00:16 -0000 From: "n9ohw_california" Subject: ATX Walkabout/MFJ-1899T Loose Connection? Hi HFpackers, Anyone have problems with the MFJ-1899T (ATX Walkabout look-alike) being loose and not making a good contact to the BNC connector on the front of the FT-817? The supplied Yaesu VHF antenna doesn't show this property, so I assume it is with the MFJ-1899T. If I hold the rig so that the weight of the antenna is on one side of the connector, I get good reception. But if I put the weight on the other side of the connnector, I hear the background noise and signal go away. If I jostle the antenna from this position, I can get the signal to come back, but I have to press the base of the antenna to get this. I think the connection from the antenna to the FT-817 base isn't good. Anyone else see this? Can this be easily fixed? I'm about to send it back to MFJ for a replacement, but if it is likely that the next one will have the same problem, I will just ask for a refund. I've built up quite a collection of portable HF antennas in my couple months of HFpacking: MP-1, Ventenna HFp, DWM Yo-Yo, MFJ-1899T. Interesting to experiment with different antennas and discover what works and how. Thanks and 73, Mike N9OHW ===================================================================== Date: Tue, 07 Dec 2004 05:37:47 -0000 From: "wb6mlc" Subject: Re: ATX Walkabout/MFJ-1899T Loose Connection? --- In hfpack@yahoogroups.com, "n9ohw_california" wrote: > > > Hi HFpackers, > > Anyone have problems with the MFJ-1899T (ATX Walkabout look-alike) > being loose and not making a good contact to the BNC connector on the > front of the FT-817? The supplied Yaesu VHF antenna doesn't show this > property, so I assume it is with the MFJ-1899T. Hi Mike, Well, the BNC connector on the front of the FT-817 is a bit tight with some BNC's, and ok on others. The supplied Yaesu duck of course doesnt have a problem. My Maldol AH-7 and other whip antennas also fit nicely on the front connector . If you have trouble rotating the Walkabout's connector, or feel like it has to be forced, then you will have to make a decision. There is a so-called BNC mod that was published years ago for solving snug fitting BNC's on the front panel. It involves reaming out the front panel hole , which is something I chose NOT to do. Since my Maldol's fit just fine, and other BNC cables show no problems, I left mine alone. I suspect that it is the Walkabout , but you need to check it out on a BNC female to PL-259 adapter to be sure. If the antenna still loses connection after jiggling it, its replacement time! 73, Ken WB6MLC ===================================================================== Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 06:42:53 -0500 From: "Don" Subject: RE: ATX Walkabout/MFJ-1899T Loose Connection? The connector on this antenna is removable. You can pull it off and replace it with one from Radio shack for less than 3.00. If you have not experimented with this, give it a try. Also, you might consider using a VOM to determine that the antenna is indeed electrically opening and not the FT-817 antenna connector at faul when appling side-loading pressure. [signed by: Don k7ugq?] ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== ===================================================================== =====================================================================