Empathy List Archives

HM

Hal Murray

Thu, Feb 14, 2019 10:34 PM

I’ve had no issues with 5/8-11 going into any of the Chinese antennas so far.

I have at least one antenna with threads that seem right but don't go in more
than a few turns. I'll try to find it if people want more data.

--
These are my opinions. I hate spam.

> I’ve had no issues with 5/8-11 going into any of the Chinese antennas so far. I have at least one antenna with threads that seem right but don't go in more than a few turns. I'll try to find it if people want more data. -- These are my opinions. I hate spam.

BK

Bob kb8tq

Fri, Feb 15, 2019 1:08 AM

Hi

Indeed for an antenna that is going on a mount one time and one time only a “tapered” thread
might make sense. Crank it down and it locks in place …..

Bob

On Feb 14, 2019, at 5:34 PM, Hal Murray hmurray@megapathdsl.net wrote:

I’ve had no issues with 5/8-11 going into any of the Chinese antennas so far.

I have at least one antenna with threads that seem right but don't go in more
than a few turns. I'll try to find it if people want more data.

--
These are my opinions. I hate spam.

time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com
and follow the instructions there.

Hi Indeed for an antenna that is going on a mount one time and one time only a “tapered” thread might make sense. Crank it down and it locks in place ….. Bob > On Feb 14, 2019, at 5:34 PM, Hal Murray <hmurray@megapathdsl.net> wrote: > >> I’ve had no issues with 5/8-11 going into any of the Chinese antennas so far. > > I have at least one antenna with threads that seem right but don't go in more > than a few turns. I'll try to find it if people want more data. > > > -- > These are my opinions. I hate spam. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there.

BG

Bruce Griffiths

Fri, Feb 15, 2019 4:18 AM

NPT or BSPT pipe thread perhaps?

Bruce

On 15 February 2019 at 14:08 Bob kb8tq kb8tq@n1k.org wrote:

Hi

Indeed for an antenna that is going on a mount one time and one time only a “tapered” thread
might make sense. Crank it down and it locks in place …..

Bob

On Feb 14, 2019, at 5:34 PM, Hal Murray hmurray@megapathdsl.net wrote:

I’ve had no issues with 5/8-11 going into any of the Chinese antennas so far.

I have at least one antenna with threads that seem right but don't go in more
than a few turns. I'll try to find it if people want more data.

--
These are my opinions. I hate spam.

time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com
and follow the instructions there.

NPT or BSPT pipe thread perhaps? Bruce > On 15 February 2019 at 14:08 Bob kb8tq <kb8tq@n1k.org> wrote: > > > Hi > > Indeed for an antenna that is going on a mount one time and one time only a “tapered” thread > might make sense. Crank it down and it locks in place ….. > > Bob > > > On Feb 14, 2019, at 5:34 PM, Hal Murray <hmurray@megapathdsl.net> wrote: > > > >> I’ve had no issues with 5/8-11 going into any of the Chinese antennas so far. > > > > I have at least one antenna with threads that seem right but don't go in more > > than a few turns. I'll try to find it if people want more data. > > > > > > -- > > These are my opinions. I hate spam. > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > > and follow the instructions there. > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there.

BK

Bob kb8tq

Fri, Feb 15, 2019 1:56 PM

Hi

Indeed this is exactly what is done with a pipe thread. It’s not designed to be fiddled
with a lot. You put it together and that’s it forever and ever. Some bright engineer
might have decided that antenna mounts fit in the same category.

My bet still would be on a tool or die that was a bit past it’s “back to the shop for a
touch up” point though.

Bob

On Feb 14, 2019, at 11:18 PM, Bruce Griffiths bruce.griffiths@xtra.co.nz wrote:

NPT or BSPT pipe thread perhaps?

Bruce

On 15 February 2019 at 14:08 Bob kb8tq kb8tq@n1k.org wrote:

Hi

Indeed for an antenna that is going on a mount one time and one time only a “tapered” thread
might make sense. Crank it down and it locks in place …..

Bob

On Feb 14, 2019, at 5:34 PM, Hal Murray hmurray@megapathdsl.net wrote:

I’ve had no issues with 5/8-11 going into any of the Chinese antennas so far.

I have at least one antenna with threads that seem right but don't go in more
than a few turns. I'll try to find it if people want more data.

--
These are my opinions. I hate spam.

time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com
and follow the instructions there.

Hi Indeed this is exactly what is done with a pipe thread. It’s not designed to be fiddled with a lot. You put it together and that’s it forever and ever. Some bright engineer might have decided that antenna mounts fit in the same category. My bet still would be on a tool or die that was a bit past it’s “back to the shop for a touch up” point though. Bob > On Feb 14, 2019, at 11:18 PM, Bruce Griffiths <bruce.griffiths@xtra.co.nz> wrote: > > NPT or BSPT pipe thread perhaps? > > Bruce > >> On 15 February 2019 at 14:08 Bob kb8tq <kb8tq@n1k.org> wrote: >> >> >> Hi >> >> Indeed for an antenna that is going on a mount one time and one time only a “tapered” thread >> might make sense. Crank it down and it locks in place ….. >> >> Bob >> >>> On Feb 14, 2019, at 5:34 PM, Hal Murray <hmurray@megapathdsl.net> wrote: >>> >>>> I’ve had no issues with 5/8-11 going into any of the Chinese antennas so far. >>> >>> I have at least one antenna with threads that seem right but don't go in more >>> than a few turns. I'll try to find it if people want more data. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> These are my opinions. I hate spam. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >>> To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >>> and follow the instructions there. >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com >> and follow the instructions there. > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there.

BH

Ben Hall

Sun, Feb 24, 2019 7:40 PM

Good evening all,

After almost a month in transit, my GN-GGB0710 GNSS antenna arrived from
the auction site "we all know and love." ;)

Unit was not tapped to a proper 5/8"-11 TPI thread. A standard 5/8-11
bolt went in maybe two full threads. I modified an old tap I had in the
drawer into a 5/8"-11 bottom tap and cleaned it up. Best I can tell,
the thread cut by the manufacturer was slightly tapered.

I wasn't thrilled with the seal around the edge. Because it's flat,
some water might wick in, so I ran a quick bead of seal around both the
top and bottom end of the blue rubber seal.

Unit seems to work well. It's not mounted to the top of my antenna
pole, about 16 feet up from the ground, where it can see a pretty much
unobstructed view of the sky. All the GPS units on it thru the splitter
are getting excellent signal.

Now to wait until uBlox releases the ZED-F9T dev board. I did get a
response back from uBlox sales to my work e-mail address (which is a
very large organization) saying it's still in development with a target
release date of May or so...

thanks much and 73,
ben

Good evening all, After almost a month in transit, my GN-GGB0710 GNSS antenna arrived from the auction site "we all know and love." ;) Unit was not tapped to a proper 5/8"-11 TPI thread. A standard 5/8-11 bolt went in maybe two full threads. I modified an old tap I had in the drawer into a 5/8"-11 bottom tap and cleaned it up. Best I can tell, the thread cut by the manufacturer was slightly tapered. I wasn't thrilled with the seal around the edge. Because it's flat, some water might wick in, so I ran a quick bead of seal around both the top and bottom end of the blue rubber seal. Unit seems to work well. It's not mounted to the top of my antenna pole, about 16 feet up from the ground, where it can see a pretty much unobstructed view of the sky. All the GPS units on it thru the splitter are getting excellent signal. Now to wait until uBlox releases the ZED-F9T dev board. I did get a response back from uBlox sales to my work e-mail address (which is a very large organization) saying it's still in development with a target release date of May or so... thanks much and 73, ben

D

djl

Mon, Feb 25, 2019 1:01 AM

Probably tapped for 1/2" pipe thread.
Don

On 2019-02-24 12:40, Ben Hall wrote:

Good evening all,

After almost a month in transit, my GN-GGB0710 GNSS antenna arrived
from the auction site "we all know and love." ;)

Unit was not tapped to a proper 5/8"-11 TPI thread. A standard 5/8-11
bolt went in maybe two full threads. I modified an old tap I had in
the drawer into a 5/8"-11 bottom tap and cleaned it up. Best I can
tell, the thread cut by the manufacturer was slightly tapered.

I wasn't thrilled with the seal around the edge. Because it's flat,
some water might wick in, so I ran a quick bead of seal around both
the top and bottom end of the blue rubber seal.

Unit seems to work well. It's not mounted to the top of my antenna
pole, about 16 feet up from the ground, where it can see a pretty much
unobstructed view of the sky. All the GPS units on it thru the
splitter are getting excellent signal.

Now to wait until uBlox releases the ZED-F9T dev board. I did get a
response back from uBlox sales to my work e-mail address (which is a
very large organization) saying it's still in development with a
target release date of May or so...

thanks much and 73,
ben

time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to
http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com
and follow the instructions there.

--
Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL
PO Box 404, Frenchtown, MT, 59834
VOX: 406-626-4304

Probably tapped for 1/2" pipe thread. Don On 2019-02-24 12:40, Ben Hall wrote: > Good evening all, > > After almost a month in transit, my GN-GGB0710 GNSS antenna arrived > from the auction site "we all know and love." ;) > > Unit was not tapped to a proper 5/8"-11 TPI thread. A standard 5/8-11 > bolt went in maybe two full threads. I modified an old tap I had in > the drawer into a 5/8"-11 bottom tap and cleaned it up. Best I can > tell, the thread cut by the manufacturer was slightly tapered. > > I wasn't thrilled with the seal around the edge. Because it's flat, > some water might wick in, so I ran a quick bead of seal around both > the top and bottom end of the blue rubber seal. > > Unit seems to work well. It's not mounted to the top of my antenna > pole, about 16 feet up from the ground, where it can see a pretty much > unobstructed view of the sky. All the GPS units on it thru the > splitter are getting excellent signal. > > Now to wait until uBlox releases the ZED-F9T dev board. I did get a > response back from uBlox sales to my work e-mail address (which is a > very large organization) saying it's still in development with a > target release date of May or so... > > thanks much and 73, > ben > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there. -- Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL PO Box 404, Frenchtown, MT, 59834 VOX: 406-626-4304

J

jimlux

Mon, Feb 25, 2019 2:36 PM

On 2/24/19 5:01 PM, djl wrote:

Probably tapped for 1/2" pipe thread.
Don

I don't know.. 1/2" NPT is 0.840" which a lot bigger than 5/8" 0.625"
3/8" NPT is 0.675, which would be pretty loose on a 5/8" bolt. 3/8" is
18 TPI. Not til you get up to the 1" and bigger do you get down to 11.5 TPI.

I have seen antennas with pipe thread - the idea is that you are
bringing the cable down through rigid metallic conduit - but it was 3/4"
NPT pipe. 1.050" OD, 14 TPI.

An interesting question - how many turns of mismatched thread pitch do
you get before it binds?

Maybe it's a somewhat non-standard tapered 5/8-11? - as others have
noted, 5/8-11 is a standard surveying tripod thread. I'll also note that
on a tripod typically you have the bolt and often has a tightening nut,
so you can deal with both shallow and deep holes in the instrument
you're putting on top. You thread the bolt up into the instrument, then
spin the nut up against the bottom of the mounting surface to pull the
instrument snug on the top surface.

(or a poorly manufactured 5/8-11?)

On 2019-02-24 12:40, Ben Hall wrote:

Good evening all,

After almost a month in transit, my GN-GGB0710 GNSS antenna arrived
from the auction site "we all know and love." ;)

Unit was not tapped to a proper 5/8"-11 TPI thread. A standard 5/8-11
bolt went in maybe two full threads. I modified an old tap I had in
the drawer into a 5/8"-11 bottom tap and cleaned it up. Best I can
tell, the thread cut by the manufacturer was slightly tapered.

On 2/24/19 5:01 PM, djl wrote: > Probably tapped for 1/2" pipe thread. > Don > I don't know.. 1/2" NPT is 0.840" which a lot bigger than 5/8" 0.625" 3/8" NPT is 0.675, which would be pretty loose on a 5/8" bolt. 3/8" is 18 TPI. Not til you get up to the 1" and bigger do you get down to 11.5 TPI. I have seen antennas with pipe thread - the idea is that you are bringing the cable down through rigid metallic conduit - but it was 3/4" NPT pipe. 1.050" OD, 14 TPI. An interesting question - how many turns of mismatched thread pitch do you get before it binds? Maybe it's a somewhat non-standard tapered 5/8-11? - as others have noted, 5/8-11 is a standard surveying tripod thread. I'll also note that on a tripod typically you have the bolt and often has a tightening nut, so you can deal with both shallow and deep holes in the instrument you're putting on top. You thread the bolt up into the instrument, then spin the nut up against the bottom of the mounting surface to pull the instrument snug on the top surface. (or a poorly manufactured 5/8-11?) > On 2019-02-24 12:40, Ben Hall wrote: >> Good evening all, >> >> After almost a month in transit, my GN-GGB0710 GNSS antenna arrived >> from the auction site "we all know and love." ;) >> >> Unit was not tapped to a proper 5/8"-11 TPI thread. A standard 5/8-11 >> bolt went in maybe two full threads. I modified an old tap I had in >> the drawer into a 5/8"-11 bottom tap and cleaned it up. Best I can >> tell, the thread cut by the manufacturer was slightly tapered. >> >>

BH

Ben Hall

Mon, Feb 25, 2019 10:01 PM

On 2/24/2019 7:01 PM, djl wrote:

Probably tapped for 1/2" pipe thread.

Hi Don,

I don't think so - the threads were much too coarse. 1/2" NPT is 14
threads per inch. My 5/8-11 tap went in quite easily and didn't cut new
threads, just deepened up the original threads...

thanks,
ben

On 2/24/2019 7:01 PM, djl wrote: > Probably tapped for 1/2" pipe thread. Hi Don, I don't think so - the threads were much too coarse. 1/2" NPT is 14 threads per inch. My 5/8-11 tap went in quite easily and didn't cut new threads, just deepened up the original threads... thanks, ben

BK

Bob kb8tq

Tue, Feb 26, 2019 8:02 PM

Hi

If you dig into the postings on the 710 antenna via Google Translate, it appears that there was a change
in the threads over the last couple of months. A number of people have noticed it.

Bob

On Feb 25, 2019, at 5:01 PM, Ben Hall kd5byb@gmail.com wrote:

On 2/24/2019 7:01 PM, djl wrote:

Probably tapped for 1/2" pipe thread.

Hi Don,

I don't think so - the threads were much too coarse. 1/2" NPT is 14 threads per inch. My 5/8-11 tap went in quite easily and didn't cut new threads, just deepened up the original threads...

thanks,
ben

time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com
and follow the instructions there.

Hi If you dig into the postings on the 710 antenna via Google Translate, it appears that there was a change in the threads over the last couple of months. A number of people have noticed it. Bob > On Feb 25, 2019, at 5:01 PM, Ben Hall <kd5byb@gmail.com> wrote: > > On 2/24/2019 7:01 PM, djl wrote: >> Probably tapped for 1/2" pipe thread. > > Hi Don, > > I don't think so - the threads were much too coarse. 1/2" NPT is 14 threads per inch. My 5/8-11 tap went in quite easily and didn't cut new threads, just deepened up the original threads... > > thanks, > ben > > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to http://lists.febo.com/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts_lists.febo.com > and follow the instructions there.

PM

Peter Monta

Thu, Feb 28, 2019 4:28 AM

My copy of this antenna has the correct threads, just as a data point.
Serial number 1718010926. No date code that I can see, but it was
delivered two weeks ago.

Attached is the spectrum of the antenna looking at the sky, taken with an
RTL-SDR dongle. There is some response at L5, but it's on the tail of the
antenna's filter, and really only the upper half of L5 makes it through.
I've acquired some L5 signals, and the SNR is adequate, but probably not as
good as an antenna that's truly flat over this band. Overall I prefer the
Tallysman TW3972 for full-GNSS coverage, but it's much more expensive, $380
vs $90.

The little blip at 1575 MHz is the combination of the GPS, Galileo, and
BeiDou L1 signals. It usually rises 2 or 3 dB out of the noise floor.

Does anyone have an ANTEX calibration file for this antenna, or a
recommendation for a close match in the IGS or NGS databases? Or, failing
that, rough vertical distances to the L1 and L2 phase centers?

Cheers,
Peter

My copy of this antenna has the correct threads, just as a data point. Serial number 1718010926. No date code that I can see, but it was delivered two weeks ago. Attached is the spectrum of the antenna looking at the sky, taken with an RTL-SDR dongle. There is some response at L5, but it's on the tail of the antenna's filter, and really only the upper half of L5 makes it through. I've acquired some L5 signals, and the SNR is adequate, but probably not as good as an antenna that's truly flat over this band. Overall I prefer the Tallysman TW3972 for full-GNSS coverage, but it's much more expensive, $380 vs $90. The little blip at 1575 MHz is the combination of the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou L1 signals. It usually rises 2 or 3 dB out of the noise floor. Does anyone have an ANTEX calibration file for this antenna, or a recommendation for a close match in the IGS or NGS databases? Or, failing that, rough vertical distances to the L1 and L2 phase centers? Cheers, Peter

time-nuts@lists.febo.com

Re: [time-nuts] GN-GGB0710 GPS Antenna Mounting Thread