Well there's your problem right there!

So after being plagued for 3-4 days with an intermittent connection I found (what I hope is) the problem.

There are 3 tapers around the port for a locking connection but no detent. So going down the road I can feel the locking collar is loose and isn't holding on to anything.

There is a radial (?) detent, so I tried again and just twisted it as hard as I could and I think it finally clicked.

So if you're having intermittent signal issue like I've been having, try a pipe wrench. (Or glue?)