Mark,
Belden 9913F7 with "clamp" (hand assembled) N connectors would work for your feedline. If you go this route, MAKE SURE THAT THE CONNECTOR HAS THE PROPER CENTER PIN FOR 'F7.
RG-142 and hand assembled BNC's would work for the gear interconnect jumpers.
Look on the bay for real Amp connectors. They are cheaper here than at an online vendor. Finding the right connectors at a hamfest can be iffy.
RG-142 can be had cheaply on the bay as well.
Higher freqs are best handled by hardline. Small pieces are available and new, OEM (surplus) connectors are available at reasonable cost.
Closely following the spec sheet for the connector that you're assembling is critical. I use a copy of the MIL348 standard (for free, available online) for the dimensions. There's only one that matters, really for us. How far is the pin recessed. Get that wrong and the pin will "tulip" the prongs of the female or not make proper contact, trashing the connectors, your work and introducing a point of failure. An el cheapo pair of digital calipers (use the depth gauge on the tongue end) will make short work of this.
Razor blade and sharp scissors make short work of cable prep. A cassette stripper can help, but I have found is not a one size fits all fix.
If the sickness bites, a crimper set is a good investment. Making custom cables for portable gear is a snap. I usually carry a few clamp connectors in case of failure in the field.
Norm n3ykf
On Mon, Jan 22, 2018 at 9:03 PM, anderson58625 anderson58625@gmail.com wrote:
Reading the subject line, I may have somehow mixed sarcasm with a potential pun (eye of the beholder!) <grin>. Sorry for that.
I seek to avoid investing in a set of cable producing hardware (or assembled cables) which I will regret later. I am hoping to get some guidance regarding coax for:
IF patch between equipment (male-male BNC's)2m feedline (N-connectors) (<50')70cm feedline (N-connectors) (<50')A later potential for feedline carrying microwave frequencies(>1GHz)
The frequency & loss-rate charts for coax are informative, but I'm not sure I'm seeing which connectors will fit what cable brand/types. With the variables of loss, dimensions, flexibility, and potential proprietary crimping systems, etc., I don't have enough experience or information to confidently make an online materials order. Things were much easier down here with just HF frequencies, RG-213, and good quality (weather protected) PL-259's! <grin>
For IF patch cables, I figure these are conveying HF so the cable type/loss at 1-3' isn't very important. But, there is also shielding: A consideration?
. Any thoughts on IF cables?
. Plus, I've never attached a BNC to a cable. Easy? Avoid it?
. Plan on a new crimper/die?
. Or, if premade would be cheaper (just a few IF patch cables), any quality sources to recommend?
For the 2m & 70cm feedlines, I know flexibility may be a consideration on rotating/elevating masts. Of course, I'm sure a rigid feedline may be superior elsewhere, but I am not at that point yet. Still, advice on that subject is gratefully appreciated. I need to provide good questions to hope for good answers, so what feedline you would recommend for:
. Reasonable flexibility/portability
. 2m-23cm
. Modest power
. <50'
. For use with n-connectors
The benefit of you knowledge and experience is much appreciated.
73
Mark W9AT
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