Baofeng antenna O-rings

[WRTC928]

Maybe everyone else already knows this, but...

 

Sometimes when you use an aftermarket antenna -- especially a Nagoya -- on a Baofeng HT, the antenna doesn't screw down all the way and there's a gap where dirt or moisture can get in. I did a search and found O-rings to seal it from a radio shop online, but they were $0.49 each plus shipping.  I know I'm going to lose those little things right and left and that could eventually get expensive. With a caliper and a little experimentation, I found that the ideal size is 3/8" ID, 9/16" OD, and 3/32" thick. This fits perfectly, is $5.86 per 100 from Amazon, and includes free shipping for Prime members. If you didn't know, now you do. 

[WRXB215]

I have a multi pack of O-rings I bought somewhere and found the right size in that pack.

[Guest]

Ok. Good info.  I’ve never had this issue or seen it but I guess it is a problem for some. 

[WRTC928]

10 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

Ok. Good info.  I’ve never had this issue or seen it but I guess it is a problem for some. 

Perhaps you're not as afflicted with OCD as some. 

[JBRPong]

I took my HTs to the hardware store to try several they had and bought 10 of each of the ones that fit just right.  

[WRTC928]

21 minutes ago, JBRPong said:

I took my HTs to the hardware store to try several they had and bought 10 of each of the ones that fit just right.  

I did that too, but my small town hardware store didn't have any that fit just right. I even went to the NBC (next bigger city) and tried Lowe's but they didn't have any either so I gave up and went home. The next day, I was in my garage and my eye fell upon a caliper, and I thought, "Say...they make a tool specifically for finding the size of something... " so I measured the ones I had bought online. I could have done that to begin with, but I didn't think of it. 

[Willie]

On 11/27/2024 at 4:00 PM, WRTC928 said:

.... I found that the ideal size is 3/8" ID, 9/16" OD, and 3/32" thick.

Also known as size dash 110 (-110).

You can also get the same size in a square cross-section if you prefer, although they are much more expensive in that form. More like the little rubber flat washers that come with Nagoya antennas as opposed to a 'normal' o-ring with a round cross-section.

[SteveShannon]

Of course a person could just buy the right gasket:

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/TE-Connectivity-Linx-Technologies/OR-SMA-R?qs=K5ta8V%2BWhtZ1tkc6ewZLpA%3D%3D&mgh=1&utm_id=17222215321&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADn_wf2XqvV72QQ6JKkpnT7XWMyfV&gclid=CjwKCAiA6aW6BhBqEiwA6KzDc6HPwOFdJwdgYTMBo70X5seqX_IPbsvkaFgPLO-zHuuN0YnHMP2LSxoC0-sQAvD_BwE

[WRTC928]

1 hour ago, SteveShannon said:

Of course a person could just buy the right gasket:

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/TE-Connectivity-Linx-Technologies/OR-SMA-R?qs=K5ta8V%2BWhtZ1tkc6ewZLpA%3D%3D&mgh=1&utm_id=17222215321&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADn_wf2XqvV72QQ6JKkpnT7XWMyfV&gclid=CjwKCAiA6aW6BhBqEiwA6KzDc6HPwOFdJwdgYTMBo70X5seqX_IPbsvkaFgPLO-zHuuN0YnHMP2LSxoC0-sQAvD_BwE

It's an identical neoprene ring and it costs $0.22 whereas the ones I bought cost $0.06. If it fits and forms a good seal, it's the right gasket.

[WRTC928]

2 hours ago, Willie said:

Also known as size dash 110 (-110).

You can also get the same size in a square cross-section if you prefer, although they are much more expensive in that form. More like the little rubber flat washers that come with Nagoya antennas as opposed to a 'normal' o-ring with a round cross-section.

At that price difference, I don't care if they're round or flat.  I have a touch of OCD, but just a touch. I lose the darned things, which is why I had to go looking for something to replace the ones that came with my Nagoya antennas.

[WRKY933]

The best deal on O-Rings is Harbor Freight. You can get a box of several hundred or so of different sizes for about $7 or $8 bucks. There will be one that will fit the bottom of the antenna. Also equally important is this nifty little trick. The Power/Volume knob is real easy to turn on. It could happen inadvertently while bouncing around in a back pack or go bag and you'll have a dead battery when you need your radio the most. Solution: Pull the Power/Volume knob off. You won't hurt it. It comes straight off. There is a flat index spot for reattaching it. Slip an O-Ring over the collar of the knob and push it back down on the stem so it fits snuggly. It will create a little bit of friction so when you turn the power knob on so it doesn't turn on too easily and preventing your battery to wear down while your radio is in a back pack or go bag.

[WRTC928]

23 minutes ago, WRKY933 said:

The best deal on O-Rings is Harbor Freight. You can get a box of several hundred or so of different sizes for about $7 or $8 bucks. There will be one that will fit the bottom of the antenna. Also equally important is this nifty little trick. The Power/Volume knob is real easy to turn on. It could happen inadvertently while bouncing around in a back pack or go bag and you'll have a dead battery when you need your radio the most. Solution: Pull the Power/Volume knob off. You won't hurt it. It comes straight off. There is a flat index spot for reattaching it. Slip an O-Ring over the collar of the knob and push it back down on the stem so it fits snuggly. It will create a little bit of friction so when you turn the power knob on so it doesn't turn on too easily and preventing your battery to wear down while your radio is in a back pack or go bag.

Good to know. Thanks! 

[WRXB215]

@WRKY933 good tip. I haven't had that exact problem but I have had a similar problem. When I'm at the park throwing the Frisbee for the dog, I keep the radio on my belt just over my back right pocket. Sometimes as I walk, the volume gets turned down so I can't hear anything. The O-ring should help with that as well.

PS I think Harbor Freight is where I got my box of O-rings.

[LeoG]

On 11/27/2024 at 5:00 PM, WRTC928 said:

Maybe everyone else already knows this, but...

 

Sometimes when you use an aftermarket antenna -- especially a Nagoya -- on a Baofeng HT, the antenna doesn't screw down all the way and there's a gap where dirt or moisture can get in. I did a search and found O-rings to seal it from a radio shop online, but they were $0.49 each plus shipping.  I know I'm going to lose those little things right and left and that could eventually get expensive. With a caliper and a little experimentation, I found that the ideal size is 3/8" ID, 9/16" OD, and 3/32" thick. This fits perfectly, is $5.86 per 100 from Amazon, and includes free shipping for Prime members. If you didn't know, now you do. 

49¢ is nothing.

I have a paint pump I use with it's gun and the o ring on the tip of the gun has a small screen on it.  You look at it and it's a 50¢ part, $5 each and I haven't really found a replacement that's inexpensive.  On top of it they only sell them in bags of 10.  And of course you need to pay shipping.

Needless to say I use and clean the crap out of these things and usually get 1/2 year out of them.  If they were 50¢ I'd change them out once a month.

 

Good find on the o rings.  Now you gotta wonder what you are going to do with 100 of them

[WRTC928]

2 minutes ago, LeoG said:

Good find on the o rings.  Now you gotta wonder what you are going to do with 100 of them

Lose 'em. That's what I'm going to do.  That's why I need to get them cheap. Almost every time I change an antenna, I lose the stupid O-ring. I don't know why; I don't typically lose other small parts. The $6 for 100 of them is cheap enough to avoid the frustration. 

[WRXB215]

6 hours ago, WRTC928 said:

Almost every time I change an antenna, I lose the stupid O-ring. I don't know why

The radio eats them.

[WRHS218]

There is probably a missing sock somewhere full of missing o-rings.

[SteveShannon]

20 minutes ago, WRHS218 said:

There is probably a missing sock somewhere full of missing o-rings.

On a Tupperware lid.