Need help with WaveLAN antenna connector

Fellow wireless gurus,

I'm trying to identify a connector used with a 915MHz WaveLAN wireless
access point (circa 1997). I have searched high and low, but cannot
figure out what type of connector I need. Since a picture is worth a
thousand words, I've taken the liberty of providing some visual aid!
Here is a picture of the mystery connector I'm hoping to identify:

http://kd7ump.ftml.net/WaveLANAntennaConnector.jpg

Now, this looks suspiciously like an SMB connector. Alas, it is not.
I had a custom pigtail cable made (for $38!) using an SMB connector
and it is not a match. Here is a picture of the mystery connector and
the SMB connector side-by-side:

http://kd7ump.ftml.net/WaveLAN-SMB.jpg

Close, but no go If anyone has an idea what this might be (or has
some other clever idea on how to get from the access point to a RP-TNC
connector) please, please let me know! And if you can cc: me via
email as well, that'd be swell - I don't want to miss your response.

On 17 Nov 2004 10:22:09 -0800, (E-Mail Removed) (Kevin
Mills) wrote:

>Fellow wireless gurus,
>
>I'm trying to identify a connector used with a 915MHz WaveLAN wireless
>access point (circa 1997). I have searched high and low, but cannot
>figure out what type of connector I need. Since a picture is worth a
>thousand words, I've taken the liberty of providing some visual aid!
>Here is a picture of the mystery connector I'm hoping to identify:
>
>http://kd7ump.ftml.net/WaveLANAntennaConnector.jpg
>
>Now, this looks suspiciously like an SMB connector. Alas, it is not.
>I had a custom pigtail cable made (for $38!) using an SMB connector
>and it is not a match. Here is a picture of the mystery connector and
>the SMB connector side-by-side:
>
>http://kd7ump.ftml.net/WaveLAN-SMB.jpg
>
>Close, but no go If anyone has an idea what this might be (or has
>some other clever idea on how to get from the access point to a RP-TNC
>connector) please, please let me know! And if you can cc: me via
>email as well, that'd be swell - I don't want to miss your response.

I was gonna suggest trying to fit it to an R-SMA connector. It looks
about the right size for just sliding over the threaded part of the
R-SMA, but the TFE insulator is the wrong diameter. Try it anyway if
you can find a R-SMA as used on most D-Link access points.

Also, the coax cable looks like RG-58c/u. Hard to tell without any
dimensions. Have you considered just lopping off the weird connector
and attaching an ordinary SMA, TNC, or N connector? Crimp tools are
about $35 and connectors are $5-$15ea.

If playing with the coax is a problem, just take the SMB-TNC pigtail
you already own, chop off the SMB end, and solder the pigtail in place
of the existing pigtail on the access point.

If you're a real butcher, or desperate, chop off the weird connector,
strip back the center conductor, and spread the shielded braid. Shove
the center conductor into a TNC receptacle, and cram the braid in
around the TFE center insulator on the TNC. Cram some aluminium foil
in after the braid to make sure it stays put. Keep the exposed center
conductor as short as humanly possible. A TFE insulating washer on
the center conductor is a good idea. I've done this more times than I
care to admit.
--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 AE6KS 831-336-2558

Kevin Mills <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Now, this looks suspiciously like an SMB connector. Alas, it is not.
> I had a custom pigtail cable made (for $38!) using an SMB connector
> and it is not a match. Here is a picture of the mystery connector and
> the SMB connector side-by-side:

> http://kd7ump.ftml.net/WaveLAN-SMB.jpg

I sent a picture t the nice folks at
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/contact_us.php
when I had trouble identifying a connector, including a ruler for reference,
and they sent the cable I needed. The two-connector picture might suffice,
since they can see the size compared to the SMB connector.
http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/connectors.php


--
---
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8-122.5

Jeff,

Thanks for your reply. I've certainly considered chopping and hacking,
but the mate to the plug I have pictured is on the access point - I
still need something that will connect to it. I have had the radical
thought of opening up the access point and soldering in my own "known"
jack, but... I 'm not sure if I want to go there... although I may have
to.

: I'm trying to identify a connector used with a 915MHz WaveLAN wireless
: access point (circa 1997). I have searched high and low, but cannot
: figure out what type of connector I need. Since a picture is worth a
: thousand words, I've taken the liberty of providing some visual aid!
: Here is a picture of the mystery connector I'm hoping to identify:
[..]

Looks like SMB.. I'm looking at my SMB connector right now and it looks the
same.

m.



--
Marcin Lukasik
Milea Wireless Communications, http://milea.pl
phone/fax/mobile: (++48) 13 4480070 / 13 4481148 / 509 390 490

,,the only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys''