I have a VR-5000 that I've really only ever used to listen to the HF, SW and MW bands until recently, when I've started to become interested in seeing how it performs at the higher frequency bands. However, I seem to have discovered a slight roadblock of sorts, in that the radio only provides an SO-239 antenna connector to receive those signals. While it does also provide a high impedance connector for long wire antennas, that connector is mainly for listening to bands below 30 mHz. That being the case, the SO-239 is the only game in town if I want to get to those higher bands!
If I'm not mistaken, the SO-239 and PL-259 connectors are considered to be less than useful above 100 mHz. That being the case, I'm considering adding a BNC female connector to the radio, wiring it to the existing SO-239's internal connections using either RG-174 or RG-316 coax. It would be wired in parallel with the SO-239, so as long as an antenna isn't connected to the existing input, impedance mismatch shouldn't be an issue for the new connector, since the SO-239 would just appear to be an open circuit. And, as far as how much of that coax would be needed to make the connection, I measured roughly 5 inches as the crow flies!
So, what do you guys think? Am I on the right track? Please recognize that I do not claim to know exactly what I'm doing here, because I don't. I used to work on stuff like this when I was in the Air Force 50 years ago, but that was then, and this is now. Even my soldering skills are gonna need some time in the woodshed before I start in on this. Nevertheless, I have a Weller soldering station with a good tip, and along with other tools, and a good multimeter, I should have enough to get the job done right. While on the surface this job may not appear to be that difficult, I just want to be sure that my thinking is correct, as there are always dragons waiting around to prove you wrong at every turn. Usually in a nasty sort of way!
While I may still be aware of many of the safety hazards involved with working on any radio gear, such as taking off all the rings and watches before diving in, keeping one hand in your pocket so you don't get bit by the nasty stuff, and using a grounding strap so I don't zap things, please do me a favor and let me know if I'm missing anything as regards not only keeping myself safe, but keeping the radio safe as well. I don't want to release the magic smoke before its time!
So, let me know what you think! Perhaps installing this connector can give the radio new life in its old age... as well as myself, in a manner of speaking!
Thanks in advance for your thoughtful input!
If I'm not mistaken, the SO-239 and PL-259 connectors are considered to be less than useful above 100 mHz. That being the case, I'm considering adding a BNC female connector to the radio, wiring it to the existing SO-239's internal connections using either RG-174 or RG-316 coax. It would be wired in parallel with the SO-239, so as long as an antenna isn't connected to the existing input, impedance mismatch shouldn't be an issue for the new connector, since the SO-239 would just appear to be an open circuit. And, as far as how much of that coax would be needed to make the connection, I measured roughly 5 inches as the crow flies!
So, what do you guys think? Am I on the right track? Please recognize that I do not claim to know exactly what I'm doing here, because I don't. I used to work on stuff like this when I was in the Air Force 50 years ago, but that was then, and this is now. Even my soldering skills are gonna need some time in the woodshed before I start in on this. Nevertheless, I have a Weller soldering station with a good tip, and along with other tools, and a good multimeter, I should have enough to get the job done right. While on the surface this job may not appear to be that difficult, I just want to be sure that my thinking is correct, as there are always dragons waiting around to prove you wrong at every turn. Usually in a nasty sort of way!
While I may still be aware of many of the safety hazards involved with working on any radio gear, such as taking off all the rings and watches before diving in, keeping one hand in your pocket so you don't get bit by the nasty stuff, and using a grounding strap so I don't zap things, please do me a favor and let me know if I'm missing anything as regards not only keeping myself safe, but keeping the radio safe as well. I don't want to release the magic smoke before its time!
So, let me know what you think! Perhaps installing this connector can give the radio new life in its old age... as well as myself, in a manner of speaking!
Thanks in advance for your thoughtful input!