[TowerTalk] PL-259 to N Female Adapter on a Comet GP-9 Antenna

David Calder towertalk at n4zkf.com
Mon May 19 08:57:02 EDT 2008




I use the exact same setup on my 2M repeater. I did the same thing the first
time. I used a cheap adapter with
the "ring" in it and it just came apart when I tightened it.

I bought a better adapter and the problem went away. I'm using 1/2" LDF4
hardline with mine. The antenna works
great on the repeater.

73 Dave
n4zkf

David Calder
n4zkf at n4zkf.com
www.n4zkf.com
dxc.n4zkf.com
DX cluster node 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of n2oelspears at aol.com
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2008 8:22 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] PL-259 to N Female Adapter on a Comet GP-9 Antenna

I am trying to install a Comet GP-9 Antenna using LMR-400 Coax that has N
Males on each end.? I bought the Antenna from a reputable local dealer.? I
asked him for a Comet GP-9N, but, he did not have one in stock.? He told me
it would be no problem to use a PL-259 to N Female Adapter, and he gave me
one? to use? on the antenna. 

I? installed the adapter by tightening it firmly, and then firmly connected
the LMR-400 cable.? When I tried to? waterproof the cable with coax seal,
the adapter broke.? The PL-259 ring separated from the body.? I assumed I
had tightened the adapter too tight.? I obtained another adapter, and tried
again.? This time I carefully finger tightened the PL-259 ring.? I finger
tightened the N Male, and started to wrap the coax seal.? The adapter broke
again.? I figured out that it was due to the stiffness of the LMR-400.? The
leverage of the stiff cable rips the adapter apart.? Doe anyone have any
ideas for a fix?

The package brags that the GP-9 antenna is rated for 200 watts. As an
omni-directional antenna, it is obviously aimed at FM Simplex and Repeater
users.? However, the instruction sheet rates it at 200 watts SSB, not FM.?
It was my impression that SSB ratings are about 4 times that of a AM or FM
rating. I would then assume that a 200 watt SSB rating would give a maximum
FM power rating of about 50 watts.? Am I correct in this assumption?

I asked the US Distributor that type of question via email.? Their reply
email is below.? The only change I made in copying this email, was in my
changing my email address to protect me against spam.


 

-----Original Message-----
From: MickStwernik <micks at cometantenna.com>
To: n2oel at aol.com
Sent: Tue, 13 May 2008 2:07 pm
Subject: Re: GP-9 Data Sheet
















The FM rating of the GP-9 is 100W FM, 200W SSB.


?


Depending on the duty cycle, 160W will probably 
damage the antenna.


?


Mick Stwertnik
NCG Company
15036 Sierra Bonita Lane
Chino, 
CA? 91710-8901
800-962-2611
909-393-6133
Fax? 
909-393-6136
www.cometantenna.com



  
----- Original Message ----- 

  
From: 
  n2oel at aol.com 

  
To: sales at natcommgroup.com 

  
Sent: 2008-05-12 07:27 PM

  
Subject: GP-9 Data Sheet

  


http://www.visradio.com/dwg/ncg/gp-9.gif


What 
  is the FM Power Handling capability of the GP-9?? The data sheet says 200 
  Watts SSB, which is about 50 Watts FM power.?? I want to use the 
  antenna with a 160 Watt Mirage amplifier on FM Simplex at 146.58 Mhz.? Is 
  this wise, or will I be melting the antenna?

Noel Spears? 
  N2OEL

  

  


  Plan your next roadtrip with MapQuest.com: America's #1 Mapping Site. 




_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk at contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk




More information about the TowerTalk mailing list