Many handheld portable business two way radios have an antenna that is removable for replacement or an upgrade as needed. Damaged antennas can be easily replaced by the user at low cost. Swapping a large stock antenna for a shorter, stubby one can make the radio easier to handle. Adding a longer whip antenna may significantly increase range. In any event, there are several advantages for owning a business radio with a removable antenna and a few good reasons why you may want or need to do it.
Removable antennas are not universally compatible with all makes and models of radios - even those that use the same bands and frequencies to which the antennas are tuned. Whether or not an antenna can be physically attached to a particular radio will depend on the type of connector it has.
Manufacturers use several different types of connectors to attach the antennas to the transceivers, and may even use different connectors across different model series. A few, such as connectors found on some Motorola business radios are even proprietary to their brands.
No doubt, shopping for an antenna with a connector that is compatible with your radio can be confusing. Fortunately, Buy Two Way Radios can help. Our chart of Two Way Radio Antenna Connector Types listed below will tell you what these connectors are and how to identify them. To find the right connector for your specific radio, use our Two Way Radio Antenna Connector Chart which lists dozens of popular business radios and the types of connectors they use.
This chart identifies common two way radio antenna connectors. It lists the name of each type of antenna connector with a photo of the connector from the antenna and the radio. Click on the photo for a larger image.
| Handheld Portable Radios | |
|---|---|
| Connector (Antenna) | Connector (Radio) |
 SMA Male (Standard) |
 SMA Female (Standard) |
 SMA Female (Standard) |
 SMA Male (Standard) |
 SMA Male (Motorola/Vertex Standard) |
 SMA Female (Motorola/Vertex Standard) |
 SMA Female (Motorola/Vertex Standard) |
 SMA Male (Motorola/Vertex Standard) |
 J Male |
 J Female |
| Base/Mobile Radios | |
|---|---|
| Connector (Antenna) | Connector (Radio) |
 UHF Male (PL-259) |
 UHF Female (SO-239) |
 Mini UHF Male |
 Mini UHF Female |
 N Male |
 N Female |
If you need something else, you can choose from a list of antenna adapters to find the one specific for your need.
I've a problem I'm seeking advice on...please. I just purchased a Standard Horizon HX 870 marine VHF radio for my 20 ft boat. Then after purchase I realized that the handheld does not have the range for off shore fishing (5-15 miles) as I desire.
Therefore I am going to purchase a fixed mount Shakespeare Quick Connect VHF marine antenna (8 ft) and install on my boat to connect with handheld. However I am unsure as to get the antennas to connect together--- from a small 6 inch (SMA male rubber) to an 8 ft fiberglass fix mount. I am so confused with what adopters to buy to connect the two so that the HX870 can achive grater range. Thanks in advance for any thoughts or help.
I know that the antenna comes off, and uses an SMA male connector, but the connection on the Cobra 450 is recessed.
I'd like to know if either the standard SMA male, or the Vertex/Motorola adapters would work in the Cobra 450. Cobra would have to have such an adapter themselves for testing/benchwork repair...
I hesitate to ask Cobra directly, as a very recent inquiry to them about the Pin Dimensions for the External Speaker Mic (by email) was not addressed to my satisfaction.
The poor response from Cobra does give me pause about buying the HH450, as it will be used in a professional capacity, at anytime, 24 /7 in the Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico ...
My attention to the radio is that 1) it covers both the VHF Marine, and a Land Licensed band - eliminating the need to carry 2 radios, and 2) the Removable Antenna which ( if there IS an adapter for) allows me to attach a base or mobile antenna for increased range.
As a side note, if you are using a dual band Nagoya antenna on a single band Vertex VX-150, you may not get the performance you expect. The dual band Nagoya antenna is designed to work across a broad spectrum of frequencies on both UHF and VHF bands, so it won't be as finely tuned to a specific range of VHF frequencies as a single band VHF antenna for the Vertex.
Dave