Fried Maxrad MLPV antenna

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:19 pm

Pulled this antenna off the mount on the ride today after a car wash. 56F for a high, not bad for January!

Its a Maxrad MLPV series can 430-480Mhz. Top half of the coil came off instead of the whole antenna. Pull off the ring and found the weather seal was compromised, lovely green corrosion and melted rubber on the NMO and the center push pin contact had migrated away from center.

SWR was fine when this antenna was installed. Any ideas?

Sorry the image isn't very clear. This Fugi FinePix camera picks up the slightest shake and give u lousy images. I hate it!.

USPSS · Post by **USPSS** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:35 am

APCO,

Contact MAXRAD they would probably like to see it. I run 110 into them all the time and no problems.

Stan

kb3jkp · Post by **kb3jkp** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:23 am

is your COAX/NMO rated for that power???

I know it sounds simple.. but I've had the center conductor that was soldered to the coax, ON the NMO mount itself, heat itself up to the point it desoldered itself....

I later learned that the coax/connector assembly I was using, was not of sufficient quality to use high power.....

~100 watts into a 5/8 , btw

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 7:12 am

I hate to be snippy, but you obviously have no idea of quality of the parts I use for installs.

The NMO mounts are Maxrad shielded MMF model with SMA female connectors attached to LMR-195 coax, not some cheap RG-58A/U.

Stan,

Fed 110w here as well. Emailing the pic to maxrad today. This is clearly abnomal.

I have other MLPV antennas in service on various frequencies including the same UHF split at 110w and they are just fine

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 4:26 pm

i did not think those antenna could handle 100 watts

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:59 pm

Yes they can, all bands.

The antenex brand only handles 60w or less. That's probably what you're thinking of.

Once I hear back from Maxrad I'll post their thoughts.

JohnWayne · Post by **JohnWayne** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:34 pm

The Antenex Phantom/Phantom Elite handle 60W on VHF, 150W on UHF, 150W on 800/900MHz, and 100W on 2.4GHz.

Jeff

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:03 pm

That's what I think he meant, the VHF models.