Extension Cable for Sony AN-LP1
One problem with the Sony AN-LP1 active antenna (Passport 2008, pp. 204-205), $102-105 including shipping, is the short (about 6″ or 50 mm) cord from the controller to the radio.
If the radio is on one’s lap, for example, the controller comes along, too, and constantly moves around. If the radio is on a table and you want to move or adjust it, the controller awkwardly must be moved too.
Remedy: an extension cable, and the needed 3.5 mm mono plug-to-3.5 mm mono jack is now available at Allied Electronics.
It performs nicely. If there is any signal loss, it’s not apparent. —Via Lawrence Bulk
Update (January 3rd): Buy from Japan, the customary vendor offering the AN-LP1 antenna, has been absent from eBay for the past ten days. This could be related to Golden Week in Japan, but could also mean that this valued source is no longer available.
Update (January 7th): He’s back! —Via Lawrence Bulk
Update (January 10th): The last of these antennas appears to have been sold; see comment of the 10th for details.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:54 AM
Is this any different from Radioshack.com’s 55020954 — Philips 10-ft. 3.5mm Audio Extension Cable for $6.95, or Bestbuy.com’s 8289194 — RCA 6-ft. 3.5mm Stereo Audio Extension Cable for $9.99?
Ed.: We passed your query by reader Lawrence Bulk, who provided the original posting. A summary of his reply:
The one from Allied Electronics is a mono cable with a mono plug and jack. The AN-LP1’s cable and plug is also mono.
The ones mentioned above are stereo cables. I have not experimented with them nor would I, as there might be some signal loss. I have found from past experience that it is generally not wise to mix mono and stereo connectors. If, for example, you use stereo headphones connected to a mono jack, you hear sound from only one side and generally the volume is somewhat lower. To get sound with ample volume from both sides, you need to connect a mono-to-stereo conversion cable in advance of the headphones.
Too, in the United States the Allied cable costs only $3.01, considerably less than the others, though Allied does have fairly high basic shipping charges.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:12 PM
It seems that the Sony AN-LP1 is nowhere to be found. Buyfromjapan does not seem to have it anymore. Anyone know where the AN-LP1 can still be bought?
I was hoping to buy one this weekend. Darn!
Ed.: Alas, it appears that you’re correct. We did the customary Googling, plus made a couple of calls, and came up with exactly zero. Barring something unexpected cropping up, it would appear that the world’s last new AN-LP1 was sold on January 8th or 9th.
January 12th, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Cables To Go also makes a very high quality 3.5mm mono audio cable (6 ft length). I have found it to be extremely good and there is no loss of signal. Check it out here.
January 12th, 2008 at 11:52 AM
I just checked Allied Electronics’ web page and the price of this cable has gone up to $4.82.
Too bad about the last of the AN-LP1s being sold. Sony is really missing the boat on this (and a lot of other things as well). Their design costs were amortized long ago so all they would have to do is to just keep manufacturing this antenna. For portable radios, and not just Sony models, it is PROBABLY the best auxiliary SW antenna and, for travel, DEFINITELY the best auxiliary SW antenna.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:39 PM
How much does Allied Electronics charge for shipping? I proceeded to the last step of placing an order, and the shipping charge still does not show up! I am told that I will get an email with the total shipping and tax, at the time of shipping (i.e., after they’ve charged my credit card for whatever they want to charge for shipping!). This is unacceptable.
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Allied’s web site is silent on the shipping charges other than to say they are calculated at time of order and based on the type of shipping, distance, etc. I ordered two cables ($4.82 each) and they quite promptly showed up via UPS Ground as expected… along with a charge on my credit card for $16.31. I sure hope I enjoy using the cables… at a net of $8.15 each! This should give others an idea of the costs. Apparently Allied, like many large distribution firms, has a minimum shipping and handling charge, even on very small orders.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:15 PM
If you have a Fry’s Electronics store in your local area, you can buy a 12 ft 3.5 mm mono plug-to-3.5 mm mono jack cable under the GQ (“Great Quality”) brand name for $3.15. GQ part number is BA-104. Fry’s part number is 1885088. The cable is also available online at http://www.frys.com for the same price plus shipping.
February 5th, 2008 at 3:03 PM
I’ve just bought a Sony AN-LP1 from buyfromjapan, they had 4 in stock. I ordered on 31st January and received it on 4th Feb, total cost inc express delivery was £56.00.