So, you were messing around with your handitalkie's sma antenna connector and managed to damage the threads so that you can't attach any antenna to it. There are a lot of bone-headed ways that this could happen (ask me how I know 
), but you are faced with three choices: send it in to the manufacturer for repair, replace the entire sma connector, or fix the threads. Here's how you do it the cheap way and just fix the threads yourself.
First, you need to know that the SMA connector uses 1/4-36 threads. To fix the SMA connector, you need a 1/4-36 right hand die. You can get one on ebay for $5.20 shipped (at the time of this post) here: 1/4-36 UNS Right Hand Die 1/4 - 36 - eBay (item 120663708971 end time Jan-22-11 18:27:45 PST). Even if you don't need one right now, this is too handy of an item to pass up because you never know when you will need it.
Next you need some cutting fluid. I use Rapid Tap, but there are other brands that work just as well. The cheapest I've found is also on ebay for about $6 shipped: New RELTON 04Z-NRT Rapid Tap Cutting Fluid 4 oz. - eBay (item 260443067619 end time Jan-29-11 04:13:51 PST)
Now, just put a little cutting fluid around the outside of the sma connector and carefully thread the die onto the connector. The die only works in one direction, with the printed side face down toward the radio:
Carefully work the die back and forth until you have it threaded properly, then screw it down all the way onto the SMA connector. You should be able to do it by hand without the use of a die wrench. Screw it all the way down, then back it out and then screw it down again. Take the die off, wipe all of the cutting fluid and metal shavings off, then do it again to make sure it turns smoothly.
That's all there is to it! You have just repaired the damaged SMA threads on your HT for about $11! Hopefully this helps prevent someone from paying about $100 to have the factory fix it.
Got any tips like this that you'd like to share? Start a thread and show us how to do it!
), but you are faced with three choices: send it in to the manufacturer for repair, replace the entire sma connector, or fix the threads. Here's how you do it the cheap way and just fix the threads yourself.First, you need to know that the SMA connector uses 1/4-36 threads. To fix the SMA connector, you need a 1/4-36 right hand die. You can get one on ebay for $5.20 shipped (at the time of this post) here: 1/4-36 UNS Right Hand Die 1/4 - 36 - eBay (item 120663708971 end time Jan-22-11 18:27:45 PST). Even if you don't need one right now, this is too handy of an item to pass up because you never know when you will need it.
Next you need some cutting fluid. I use Rapid Tap, but there are other brands that work just as well. The cheapest I've found is also on ebay for about $6 shipped: New RELTON 04Z-NRT Rapid Tap Cutting Fluid 4 oz. - eBay (item 260443067619 end time Jan-29-11 04:13:51 PST)
Now, just put a little cutting fluid around the outside of the sma connector and carefully thread the die onto the connector. The die only works in one direction, with the printed side face down toward the radio:
Carefully work the die back and forth until you have it threaded properly, then screw it down all the way onto the SMA connector. You should be able to do it by hand without the use of a die wrench. Screw it all the way down, then back it out and then screw it down again. Take the die off, wipe all of the cutting fluid and metal shavings off, then do it again to make sure it turns smoothly.
That's all there is to it! You have just repaired the damaged SMA threads on your HT for about $11! Hopefully this helps prevent someone from paying about $100 to have the factory fix it.
Got any tips like this that you'd like to share? Start a thread and show us how to do it!
Good idea. I have a complete set of taps and dies and have had to cut/repair my own antenna threads on several occasions. The 3/8-24 tap and die really catch hell. 
