Reverse-pinned connectors were developed SPECIFICALLY for Part 15 unlicensed gear. While it's possible to use them on anything, I'd be quite surprised to see them on any ham radio!
SMA also means: Subminiature, Type A. Two designers came up with the vast majority of our current lineup of connectors, Paul Neil and C aarl Concelman, hence the names, BNC, TNC Etc.. Omni-Spectra developed the SMA connector for use at microwave frequencies. The wrench flats do not indicate you crank down on these..just the opposite, the max torque is measured in inch ounces. Too much torque, and you distort the pins, destroying the return loss.
PL-259 connectors are junk, I changed them at every opportunity. And yes, TNC connectors were a high use item in cellphones 'in the beginning'..Too bad their use faded. To make them better, they should have a gasket added....
The same SMA used in my shirt pocket portable. That has been its home for 10 years now. Yaesu VX-3R, great radio made better by proper alignment in the service menu!
Good ones are not junk. I do try avoid using them outdoors without being sealed real good. Try using a SMA outdoors and see how long it lasts. Just the wind blowing could break it.
BUT... the Yaesu radios are >NOT< RP SMA connectors. And if I remember correctly, the ChiCom HT's have standard SMA connectors too, they just put the male threaded end on the "rubber ducky" instead of on the radio like Yaesu. Still standard SMA, just reversed in application...
They are still used on Harris 7oo, 8oo and 900 MHz mobile radios such as the M5300, M7300 and Unity mobiles.
My BridgeCom BCH-270 has the pin on the radio side and the female on the antenna side, I only realized this when I bought a Diamond replacement antenna, they made both types though thankfully.
I am sure there have been many radio and antenna connectors screwed up, Trying to force connect 2 males together.
