"L. R. Du Broff" wrote in message
...
I have an ICOM handheld for backup.

I have a panel-mounted ICOM connector, ICOM part no. ANTSB.

The ANTSB is a splitter, in series with the coax that connects the COM-1
radio to its antenna. On the front of the ANTSB is a 3.5 mm female jack.
When a 3.5 mm male is plugged into this jack, the installed COM-1 is
disconnected from the antenna, and the 3.5 mm jack is now connected to
the antenna.

From your description, this might be what you have:

http://www.edmo.com/modules/products.../IC-ANT-SB.jpg

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...om/icantsb.htm


This gadget sounds like it will introduce significant loss between your com1
radio and your vhf antenna even when your icom hand held radio is not
connected. From the above photos it looks like there are bnc connectors on
each end - one goes to your com1 radio and the other goes to your antenna.

I recommend that you stop using the ANTSB splitter device and get a bnc
barrel connector.

http://www.midsouthcable.com/B-7061M.jpg

http://www.compoutlet.com/cso/assets...RELXXXXXXX.JPG

http://www.mivs.com/products/cables/...barrel-nut.jpg

http://www.ascome.com/nav/img/bnc/ad...ck_to_jack.jpg

You should be able to get this at radio shack or any other electronics parts
store.


Clearly label which coax cable goes to your radio and which goes to the
antenna. When you need to use your portable icom radio disconnect the com1
cable from the barrel connector and then connect an RG50 coax jumper between
the barrel connector and your icom antenna jack.

http://www.universal-radio.com/catal...nt/1806cbl.jpg