WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

Hi Everyone.
Im sorry two open two topics asking where they sell things but im a little desperate at this point of time.

I was just woundering if anyone knows any stores Preferably in WA or if all else fails, country wide , where they sell the Diamond Antenna X50A or if thats not avalible, the X50M/N.

I have tried Andrews Comm in Sydney, they only offer their version of the antenna.

Also tried Prestige Communications, Tower communications, Hamshack. There not a chance in this world that Dick Smith Have it nor offer a good price.

is anyone able to Help me with this?
Thanks Guys.

slipknot wrote:Hi Everyone.
Im sorry two open two topics asking where they sell things but im a little desperate at this point of time.

I was just woundering if anyone knows any stores Preferably in WA or if all else fails, country wide , where they sell the Diamond Antenna X50A or if thats not avalible, the X50M/N.

I have tried Andrews Comm in Sydney, they only offer their version of the antenna.

Also tried Prestige Communications, Tower communications, Hamshack. There not a chance in this world that Dick Smith Have it nor offer a good price.

is anyone able to Help me with this?
Thanks Guys.

Try www.strictlyham.com.au and speak to Ross...

Cheers, CC

Thanks Constable Care, Yep ive ordered one. Well 4 now. Thanks again!

Buying anything communications related is an absolute joke in WA.

Now that DSE have pretty much wiped their entire communications range (anything from plugs to coax to radios) it is really a mission to source anything locally.

Recently I wanted what I thought was such a simple purchase: A replacement antenna for my GME TX6000 UHF CB handheld.

Well. Nobody north of the river sells them. Prestige have to 'order one in' and my only hope is Ken at WACB who seems to still stock them.

Last week I was trying to locate a SO-239 to TNC convertor so I can plug my handheld CB into a normal PL-259 plug antenna... Do you think I can find one? The guy at dick smith who I spoke to on the phone had never even heard of TNC. He said "mate, i've heard of BNC but not TNC"

This is becoming a joke. I hope more of these places like strictly ham and VK6NX's business hamshack.com.au come out of the woodwork... DSE seems only interested in selling brand name PC's to mum and dads these days...

Bonez wrote:Buying anything communications related is an absolute joke in WA.

Now that DSE have pretty much wiped their entire communications range (anything from plugs to coax to radios) it is really a mission to source anything locally.

Recently I wanted what I thought was such a simple purchase: A replacement antenna for my GME TX6000 UHF CB handheld.

Well. Nobody north of the river sells them. Prestige have to 'order one in' and my only hope is Ken at WACB who seems to still stock them.

Last week I was trying to locate a SO-239 to TNC convertor so I can plug my handheld CB into a normal PL-259 plug antenna... Do you think I can find one? The guy at dick smith who I spoke to on the phone had never even heard of TNC. He said "mate, i've heard of BNC but not TNC"

This is becoming a joke. I hope more of these places like strictly ham and VK6NX's business hamshack.com.au come out of the woodwork... DSE seems only interested in selling brand name PC's to mum and dads these days...

DSE used to be about electronics, and yes, now its turning into better electrical. a couple of years ago they used to sell Ameture radios, satelite transicvers and all.

Bonez wrote:I hope more of these places like VK6NX's business hamshack.com.au come out of the woodwork...

Someone mention joke's or joker's before??

Did you try Jaycar? They still carry RF Connectors...

Cheers, CC

ConstableCare wrote:

Bonez wrote:I hope more of these places like VK6NX's business hamshack.com.au come out of the woodwork...

Someone mention joke's or joker's before??

Did you try Jaycar? They still carry RF Connectors...

Cheers, CC

Altronics also have a small range of RF connectors. Mainly for RG58 and similar sized coax. There's not much around for the larger RG213 and alike in Perth at reasonable prices sadly.

well no... . didnt know altronics existed before two days ago.

DSE do N type plug for RG213 size. They actually seem to be of reasonable quality. Silver plated. Jaycar do have a mix of connectors, but I'm not impressed with the N type bulkhead. The insulation around the 'pin' melts very quickly. If you can afford it, one of these kits is very handy if you stuff around with RF. They have kits with more types but they cost big time

The other option for connectors is John Tower from Tower Communications. He supplies the "Gold" connectors - quite pricey but they don't melt like Rob mentioned happens with cheaper connectors!

http://www.tower.visionimage.com.au/

Cheers, CC

I would only buy gold if they had more then a 20% improovement.
Sorry to change the subject. One thing that is good about the diamond range is that they have a cool warning sticker on the support pipe warning to "look up and live". Lets you know its a professional brand of antenna. Tried looking on google but couldnt find any good closeup pictures of it.

On the other hand... people are willing to spend hundreds or thousands on transceivers, antennae, rotators, tuners and cable and then don't want to spend an extra $5 on a quality connector, which is where the whole shebang usually falls over first.

slipknot wrote: Sorry to change the subject. One thing that is good about the diamond range is that they have a cool warning sticker on the support pipe warning to "look up and live". Lets you know its a professional brand of antenna.

Tandy/Radio Shack CB antennas used to have these stickers on them 25 years ago!