We have custom produced our Y-Type Dual MS-147 to RP-SMA-Female antenna adapter (pigtail) using a much Higher Efficiency and Very Flexible Dual ~4" LMR-100 cables.

Even though LMR-100 cable is more expensive than the typically used RG-174, RG-178 or RG-316 cable, we have chosen to use the LMR-100 cable in order to provide for a More Efficient and Very Pliable "Pigtail" type of connection to both the Antenna-1 and Antenna-2 circuits of your CLEAR Spot Apollo HotSpot or a CLEAR 4G Mobile USB Modem to an external antenna. 

WHY LMR-100 cable?

LMR-100 cable is impedance rated at 50Ω for a maximum operating frequency of 5,800 MHz. The 2,500 -2,700 MHz frequency range used by CLEAR WiMAX is well within the maximum operating frequency range of LMR-100 cable. The signal loss from a 4 inch long LMR-100 cable would be only 0.1325dB. LMR-100 cable is also very durable and flexible with a rated minimum bend radius of 6.4mm (0.25 in) when used for installations, or 25.4mm (1 in) when bent repeatably, thus making it ideal for use as a mobile/temporary pigtail adapter.

Some other pigtail cable/adapters are made with a less expensive, yet similar looking black RG-174 cable. RG-174 has been a standard cable used in the VHF (30 - 300 MHz) and other Sub 1,000 MHz radio industry applications. In "Theory" the signal loss from a 4 inch long RG-174 cable pigtail assembly would "Theoretically" be 0.3dB. However, since RG-174 cable has a Maximum Operating Frequency of only 1,000 MHz, the 2,500 - 2,700 MHz operating frequencies for CLEAR WiMAX greatly exceeds the specified maximum frequency rating for RG-174 cable. Therefore, the actual amount of signal attenuation/loss is probably much higher than the calculated "Theoretical" 0.3dB loss of signal.

RG-178 cable is another type of cable that is being used to produce these types of pigtail adapters. RG-178 has a semi-transparent tan/copper colored FEP (Fluorinated ethylene propylene) outer jacket allowing you to see the braided wire shield for the cable - - I must admit that this cable has a certain "Cool" and "Techie" look to it. RG-178 has a Maximum Operating Frequency of 3,000 MHz, just above the 2,500 -2,700 MHz operating range required for CLEAR WiMAX. However, RG-178 is a much stiffer cable that should not be bent any tighter or less than the minimum rated 72.5mm (2.8 in) Bend Radius in order to maintain maximum signal transfer... using this cable in a smaller/tighter bend radius will reduce the amount of signal transmitted.  The signal loss from a straight, un-bent, 4 inch long RG-178 cable pigtail assembly would be 0.16dB.

RG-316 cable looks similar to RG-178 cable and it is constructed in a similar fashion and therefore must not be bent into a tighter than 72.5mm (2.8 in) bend radius. RG-316 also has a Maximum Operating Frequency of 3,000 MHz. However, the signal loss from a straight, un-bent, 4 inch long length of RG-316 cable would be 0.19dB.

We feel that the use of LMR-100 cable, albeit more expensive, provides us with the excellent performance and durability characteristics required for repeated daily use with the CLEAR WiMAX 2,500 - 2,700 MHz frequency band.

We ship these via USPS First Class mail safely packaged and secured within a durable 3M Padded Envelope. NOTE: This pigtail adapter WILL NOT fit the CLEAR Atlas Stick USB modem.

FYI: "Pigtail" type of assemblies are used when a more pliable and flexible connection to a smaller and/or more delicate surface mounted connector that has been soldered onto a printed circuit board. A solid barrel type adapter should not be used as a direct connection between the larger antenna cable and the smaller surface mounted connector as it could cause a great deal of stress to the soldered connection on the printed circuit board causing it to either fracture the solder joint, fracture the circuit board or simply break the connector away from the printed circuit board. A flexible "pigtail" should be used in these situations so as to absorb the mass and any movement of the larger antenna cable assembly that would cause undue stress and damage to the circuit board and/or the smaller surface mounted connector assembly.

The MS-147 coaxial switch connectors that are used within the CLEAR Spot Apollo HotSpot and the CLEAR 4G Mobile (Ubee) USB modem are simply surface mounted (soldered) onto the printed circuit board within the device. The MS-147 coaxial switch connector(s) provides you with a way of diverting the internal antenna circuit from the internal antenna to an external signal source - such as an external antenna... Using the "proper" MS-147 plug(s) inserted into the MS-147 Coaxial Switch connector(s) found on the bottom of the CLEAR Spot Apollo HotSpot and the rear of the CLEAR 4G Mobile USB (Ubee) allows you to disable the internal antenna(s) in favor of a different signal source that is connected to this adapter. 

CAUTION: Too much lateral pressure, impacts or lateral stress imposed onto the surface mounted MS-147 Coaxial Switch Connector will cause it to eventually break away from the printed circuit board, become damaged and fail... This is another reason we choose to use LMR-100 cable as it is much more pliable thereby providing for better shock resistance and minimal transference of stress to the surface mounted MS-147 Coaxial Switch Connector than stiffer copper braided RG-316 cable.

This adapter/pigtail assembly will provide you with a low-loss, pliable and mechanically safe connection between the MS-147 coaxial switch connectors found on your device and your external antenna cable. It is designed to work with antenna cables that have been terminated with an RP-SMA Male connector (our antennas use cables that are terminated with an RP-SMA-Male connector).

PLEASE NOTE: This pigtail adapter WILL NOT fit the CLEAR Atlas Stick USB modem. Please contact us for more info on the proper Y-Type adapter for the CLEAR Atlas Stick USB modem.

LMR-100 cable is more efficient (lower signal loss) than the RG-174 and RG-316 cables typically used by others...
When LMR-100 cable is used for the 2500MHz to 2700MHz WiMAX/TDD LTE frequencies used by CLEAR/Sprint Spark, it is more efficient than the typically used black colored RG-174 or the stiffer braided copper colored RG-316 cable used by other manufacturers (see LMR-100 vs RG-174 vs RG-316 cable specifications compared below).

So why do other manufacturers use RG-174 and RG-316 cable?
RG-174 is the typical standard cable used by most manufacturers as it provides a fairly efficient and mechanically pliable connection at a lower cost. 

RG-316 cable provides for a lower attenuation (lower loss) of your signal when compared to that of RG-174 cable, however, it is a stiff cable that is not as pliable. It is also more expensive than RG-174 cable. 

Most manufactures that use RG-174 would argue that at these short "Pigtail" lengths the advantage of RG-174 being more flexible/pliable outweighs the lower signal loss advantages of the stiffer, less pliable and more expensive RG-316 cable.

LMR-100 cable beats out both RG-174 and RG-316 cable! Albeit, LMR-100 cable is more expensive than either RG-316 or RG-174 cable...
However, LMR-100 cable is more efficient (lower signal less) than RG-174 and RG-316 cable. AND LMR-100 cable is much more flexible and pliable than the stiffer RG-316 cable used by others. 

LMR-100 cable is therefore ultimately better suited for use as a "Pigtail" type of adapter as it is more efficient, will better absorb any transmitted physical shocks and stress imposed unto the MS-147 coaxial switch connector by the antenna cable and it is easier to use than the stiffer braided copper colored RG-316 cables used by others (however, I must admit that the coated braided copper RG-316 cable does look pretty cool and more techie).

See the technical/performance comparisons for all three cables when used at a frequency of 2600MHz below:

FYI: "Attenuation" is a measurement of signal loss. The lower the number the better.

LMR-100 CABLE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS:
Attenuation: 40.7 db/100ft 133.5 db/100mtr
Average Power: 0.02 KW
Cable Vg: 66 %
Nominal Td: 1.54 nSec/ft 5.05 nSec/mtr
Capacitance: 30.8 pF/ft 101 pF/mtr
Typical Connector Loss: 0.1 dB/pair

4" LMR-100 CABLE ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCE:
Cable Run Attenuation: 0.1 dB
Total Cable Assembly Loss: 0.2 dB
Cable Run Efficiency: 97.2 %
Cable Run Time Delay: 0.46 nSec

••••••••••••••••••••

RG-174 CABLE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS:
Attenuation: 45.4 db/100ft 148.9 db/100mtr
Average Power: 0.02 KW
Cable Vg: 66 %
Nominal Td: 1.54 nSec/ft 5.05 nSec/mtr
Capacitance: 30.8 pF/ft 101 pF/mtr
Typical Connector Loss: 0.1 dB/pair

4" RG-174 CABLE ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCE:
Cable Run Attenuation: 0.1 dB
Total Cable Assembly Loss: 0.2 dB
Cable Run Efficiency: 96.9 %
Cable Run Time Delay: 0.46 nSec

••••••••••••••••••••

RG-316 CABLE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS:
Attenuation: 43.2 db/100ft 141.9 db/100mtr
Average Power: 0.1 KW
Cable Vg: 69 %
Nominal Td: 1.47 nSec/ft 4.83 nSec/mtr
Capacitance: 29.4 pF/ft 96.6 pF/mtr
Typical Connector Loss: 0.1 dB/pair

4" RG-316 CABLE ASSEMBLY PERFORMANCE
Cable Run Attenuation: 0.1 dB
Total Cable Assembly Loss: 0.2 dB
Cable Run Efficiency: 97.1 %
Cable Run Time Delay: 0.44 nSec

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OUR Y-TYPE "PIGTAIL" ADAPTER/CONNECTOR CONFIGURATION:
Dual Right-Angle MS-147 coaxial switch connectors connected to a single RP-SMA-Female Bulkhead connector using 4" lengths of LMR-100 cable. This adapter comes complete with the Hex nut, Lock washer and star washer hardware should you wish to install it through a panel or wish to use the hardware to secure the connection to the RP-SMA-Male connector by threading the nut towards the RP-SMA-Male connector.

Should you have any questions please contact us.

Thank you for viewing our listing.

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