Say Goodbye to the BNC

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There was a discussion on Google+ the other day about how a particular handheld transceiver has an SMA connector, instead of the venerable BNC connector. I noted that many of the newer HTs are going with SMA, presumably because of the smaller size. In fact, I started thinking about it…I didn’t think you can buy an HT anymore with a BNC.

I took at look at some of the ham radio dealer websites to see if I was right. These radios all have SMA connectors: Alinco DJ-175T, DJ-C7T, DJ-G7T, DJ-G29T, DJ-V17T, DJ-V57T; ICOM IC-80AD, IC-92AD, IC-T70A, ID-31A: Kenwood TH-D72A, TH-F6A, TH-K20A; Yaesu FT-60R, FT-250R, FT-270R, VX-3R, VX-6R, VX-7R, VX-8R. The Wouxun radios are SMA but with a male connector on the radio (opposite gender compared to the other manufacturers…a topic for another day.)

But I did find three ICOM models that have BNC connectors: IC-V80, IC-V82, IC-U82.

The trend line is clear…the BNC is on the way out for amateur radio handheld transceivers.

Do I care?

Well, yes, I do.

I have a collection of extended length antennas that are much more efficient than the standard dummy load rubber duck. These are great for portable operation, mountaintopping, etc. I have not found very many of these antennas available with SMA connectors. Even if they were available, I am not sure I’d want to attach them to an SMA connector on an HT. For example, a 1/2-wave 2-Meter antenna is about 38 inches long — I am skeptical that an SMA provides enough mechanical strength to support it. Even with a BNC, I have always been very careful to not put too much strain on the connector.

We will have to see where this leads but it seems that the BNC will fade away for amateur use. Most mobile and base rigs use PL-259 and/or N connectors so HTs have been the main application for a BNC.

Goodbye, BNC, I am going to miss you.

73, Bob K0NR

Update on Feb 24: I’ve had several people suggest to me “just use a BNC-to-SMA adapter.” This certainly takes care of making a good electrical connection but mechanically they are generally weak.

10 Replies to “Say Goodbye to the BNC”

  1. Hi Bob, and one point you didn’t touch on. The problem I have all ways heard about with SMA connectors is their fragility. this has all ways be pointed out to me that antennas for H/T’s using SMA attachment have a quite severely life span when you consider the number of times the connector is rated for connects/disconnects. I think I have seen a low figure of between 50 and 100 cycles as being the norm. Comments on this please ?

    Thanks and 73’s Mike

  2. Mike,
    Interesting point. I’ve used SMA connectors in other applications and have not encountered any issues with number of insertions. But I went out to the Amphenol web site and found this spec sheet for SMA connectors:
    http://www.amphenolrf.com/products/sma.asp

    For Stainless Steel SMAs, it shows 500 mating/unmating cycles. For Brass SMAs, the spec is only 100 matings.

    In general, it seems that the quality of RF connectors can vary depending on the materials and the manufacturer. This leads to the question of how good are the SMA connectors being used on modern HTs?

    Bob

  3. Bob,

    Thanks for the research. Looks like all modern HTs now use SMA connectors. Only the three Icom single banders are still using BNCs.

    Another reason to keep my ole Yaesu FT-51R!

    Randy
    K7AGE

  5. Hi Bob,

    At the same time HT’s seem to be headed to towards the smaller SMA, some of the HF radios seem to be headed to the BNC.

    Thinking of the smaller Flex-Radio models, some of the Elecraft models (either all BNC or part), some of the Euro-Radios – and a lot of the kits.

    Guess all this will keep the connector adaptor makers busy!

    73

    Steve
    K9ZW

  6. Bob –
    I use an SMA to BNC adapter on my VX-7R and don’t have any problem with it, other than it is now getting harder to find HT antennas with BNC connectors. I have had to but other adapters to convert SMA antennas to BNC, but the end result is that they are much easier to change out.

    73,
    Mike
    KL7MJ

  7. Good morning Bob, very well written piece and I find that the SMA gives a much more reliable connection over the BNC. I find over time the BNC does not have as much of a positive connection as does the SMA each and every time.

  8. Seems a thorough investigation before leave it. I feel sorry for you that you left your favorite one. And thanks for sharing it with us as well as the information about ‘BNC’.

  10. Pingback: Part II: Say Goodbye to the BNC | KØNR: Radio Enthusiast