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.

[Socalgmrs]

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.