"KC4UAI" wrote ... > It's not been an issue for me until this Christmas when my wife > decided to get me a VHF/UHF mobile rig. I've been using an older Icom > 2 meter rig in both the cars for years so both cars have Icom power > cables in place, but the new rig doesn't use the same power > connectors. > > I'd like to settle on a common power connector for both the radios, > but I'm not all that sure where to go to find something that is > reasonably priced and is not going to disappear in the future and > force me to go out and buy all new connectors again. > > I figured I'd not remove any of the existing connectors on the radios, > but build up short jumpers that adapt to the connector of choice. I > also figured that I'd use the existing power wires by replacing the > current Icom power connector with what ever I pick. > > Any suggestions on what to use and where to get them? Many groups seem to have standardized on power connectors for interchangability reasons during events (including real disasters, etc.) For example, in my area the PowerPole connectors from Amp are the standard. I buy my supplies from my specialty dealer (who is a ham)... http://www.dcpwr.com/ But the connectors and accessories are available from many places. KE7GKP

In article <95a3f626-b814-4922-8b80-dd9f6f04449d@d4g2000prg.googlegroups.com>, KC4UAI <kc4uai@gmail.com> wrote: > It's not been an issue for me until this Christmas when my wife > decided to get me a VHF/UHF mobile rig. I've been using an older Icom > 2 meter rig in both the cars for years so both cars have Icom power > cables in place, but the new rig doesn't use the same power > connectors. > > I'd like to settle on a common power connector for both the radios, > but I'm not all that sure where to go to find something that is > reasonably priced and is not going to disappear in the future and > force me to go out and buy all new connectors again. > > I figured I'd not remove any of the existing connectors on the radios, > but build up short jumpers that adapt to the connector of choice. I > also figured that I'd use the existing power wires by replacing the > current Icom power connector with what ever I pick. > > Any suggestions on what to use and where to get them? > > -= bob =- What I did years ago was build a Conversion Cable using the Propritay Power Plug of each rig and a common AMphenol Power Connector, with say 3 inches of wire in between. The Amp Connectors can be had from DigiKey, Mouser, even Jameco, or your local Electronic Components Supply House, and you just buy a dozen extra for stock, and your set for life..... Bruce in alaska -- add <path> before @

"KC4UAI" <kc4uai@gmail.com> wrote in message news:95a3f626-b814-4922-8b80-dd9f6f04449d@d4g2000prg.googlegroups.com... > > I'd like to settle on a common power connector for both the radios, > but I'm not all that sure where to go to find something that is > reasonably priced and is not going to disappear in the future and > force me to go out and buy all new connectors again. Icom VHF radios now all use the same T connector, and I believe almost all other major manufacturers have moved to that connector for VHF/UHF radios. Different connector for HF, tho. As KE7GKP points out, a *LOT* of groups are moving to Anderson Power Pole connectors as a common connector, and this is pretty convenient around the shack, too. Simply make a pigtail for each rig with an APP connector, and now anything can connect anywhere, and odds are your local club or ARES group will have a similar convention. One of the issues has been that lower cost/smaller connectors could not handle the current required for HF radios. While they APPs are available for different current levels, they can interconnect. So you can put a 45 amp connector on your power supply and plug in a radio with a 15 amp connector. ..

"xpyttl" wrote > Icom VHF radios now all use the same T connector, and I believe almost all > other major manufacturers have moved to that connector for VHF/UHF radios. Not to intentionally hijack the thread, but... ;-) Where can I buy those T-connectors? I've looked in Allied and Newark catalogs and can't find them. In order to make jumpers or quick-disconnects, for example, I need to have a T-connector for my Yaesu mobiles (FT-1500 and FT-7800R) to attach to the radio's existing cable. I'm not going to cut off the existing cable. Howard N7SO

"Howard Lester" wrote > Where can I buy those T-connectors? Hey, look what I found! http://www.powerwerx.com/category.asp?CtgID=1003 What it took was knowing to add the term "T-connector" to my search. One thing led to another....

In article <13mgqoirc2nal8c@corp.supernews.com>, Howard Lester <heylester@dakotacom.net> wrote: >Not to intentionally hijack the thread, but... ;-) Where can I buy those >T-connectors? I've looked in Allied and Newark catalogs and can't find them. >In order to make jumpers or quick-disconnects, for example, I need to have a >T-connector for my Yaesu mobiles (FT-1500 and FT-7800R) to attach to the >radio's existing cable. I'm not going to cut off the existing cable. One source is http://www.powerwerx.com They'll sell you the OEM "T" connectors with inserts ($1.95 per), or a pre-made OEM-T-to-PowerPole adapter cable ($10 for a one-footer), or a "universal both sides adapter" (one male T, one female T, two sets of PowerPoles) for $15. They also have the IC-7000 power connectors, FT-100 connectors, 6-pin Molex, and lots of other goodies. Oh... I've been advised that it's probably better not to use the small metal "roll pins" to lock together individual PowerPole housing pairs. At least one person has had problem with these pins popping out of the connectors and (potentially) bouncing around in the vicinity of battery terminals or other "hot" electrical contacts. Not good. If you want to lock together the red and black halves of a pair, I'm told that a drop of acetone or cyanoacrylate glue is a better way to do it. I don't know if this caution applies to the retention clips, as I haven't tried using these myself and don't know anyone who has. -- Dave Platt <dplatt@radagast.org> AE6EO Friends of Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads!

"Dave Platt" <dplatt@radagast.org> wrote in message news:8mam35-2fj.ln1@radagast.org... > One source is http://www.powerwerx.com I pretty much always get them at hamfests, but I often end up getting them from Tower Electronics, who has an online presence. http://www.pl-259.com/page4.html Looks like they are more expensive than PowerX tho. About the same for the plug but double for the socket. ..

"Bill Powell" <whp@att.net> wrote in message news:lmahm3ln1n67oetjbogu2rpvtbptc2eghv@4ax.com... >A quick note re: Power Poles and mobile operation. > Use the smallest cable tie to hold the two connectors together as they > sometimes have a tendency to shake / pull apart. They have little clips you can get to prevent them pulling apart. ..