[Icom] IC- 706 MK IIG Antenna Connector Problem

[Dennis DeMarco]

Hello All,

I have a new (less than three months old) IC-706 MK IIG. When I attach a 
new Radio Shack PL-259 cable (with crimped connectors) from my SWR meter to 
the SO-239 on the back of the rig, as soon as I insert the center piece and 
start screwing on the shield, the signal drops appreciably and I can barely 
hear anything at all. As soon as I loosen the shield and barely have it 
connected to the rig, the signal reappears at the proper volume. The cable 
has no shorts.

When I tried an older cable with soldered-on connectors, the signal stays 
loud until the very last turn of the shield when the signal drops similarly 
to the new cable which has crimped connectors. It has no shorts as well.

Any ideas on what may be causing this?  One guess is that the center pin of 
the connectors may not be thick enough when making the connection. Could 
the SO-239 be bad? Is it safe to operate with the shield not fully 
connected? I have a low SWR with it < 1.25:1.

73,

Dennis KA3QOT