Patch Cable to Protect SO 239 Connector of Radios

| June 18, 2024 | Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) | No Comments


Due to the potential risk of lightning, I remove the PL 259 plug of the antenna cable from the SO 239 connector on my radios soon after use. This increases the chance of damage to the connectors by frequent screwing and unscrewing. If the PL 259 plug of the antenna cable is damaged, it is relatively easy to change it. But if the SO 239 connector on the radio is damaged, it is more difficult to change it and I am not confident of doing it on my own in the new commercial radios. When I discussed this problem with VU2KOC, he suggested the use of a short length of patch cable with PL 259 connector at one end and SO 239 connector at the other end, between the radio and the antenna cable. This is that patch cable which I bought from VU3HMB today.