I would suggest the new cord. It is a much better design.
We had the same issue with the broken antenna connection at the ground plane a week or so ago. I disassembled the base of the antenna unsoldered and resoldered the cable back on. Then we secured the cable to the ground plane so we wouldn't have this issue again. I've checked the continuity through the antenna from the cable at the radio to the antenna whip and am getting a signal but once we are set up in the field, our RSSI is poor even at 600', with the 35W radio, in a wide open soccer field. Any suggestions? Or should we just get the new upgraded cord?
Sometimes now, I will lose radio for a count of 12 or 13, but then it comes back, so that may be a interference problem.
Matt: I believe that I do have a good connection with the conducting shield. I have ordered the new updated antennae and we will see what happens.Did you make sure to get a good connection with the conducting shield surrounding that surrounds the inner conductor when you repaired it?