Hi All, I till last night thought I found the "Holy Grail" of a connector and connector source. But maybe was blown down by a "Professional" That does all this "Radio Stuff" for a living.
I always LOVED the old "N" connectors. With the big rubber clamping thing inside for the shield. And always wished that method was available on other connectors, even the old PL-259.
A few weeks ago I found them, Like this,
http://dxavenue.com/131-465-thickbox/pl-259-clamp-connector-uhf-male.jpg
and I found a source, that is not only CHEAP, but in any combination you could even dream of. So No losses from adapters. Like from LMR-400 to Male BNC, or even LMR-400 to female SMA.
I bought three connectors. (2) LMR-400 to Male BNC (1) Male BNC to Female SMA
Total cost only 9 bucks and 3 days shipping time!
OK, I was sooo happy I had to bring them to the club meeting last night to let everyone else know of this find. And a guy that works for a land mobile company. They do all the radio work around here for the police, FD etc. And he said he wished he knew I wanted them. They got a box of a hundred in the storage room. A lot of equipment comes with the connectors like these but they refuse to use them. He said they are not reliable and the ground connection fails.
I never heard of this before. What is everyones thoughts here?
Joe WB9SBD
I work in the Radio Shop for a fairly large city. We deal with everything from WiFi in police cars to a regional UHF T-Band P-25 trunked system. Essentially every RF connector we put on (except hardline) is a crimp type connector. We have the proper cable stripping, and crimp tools for them as well. The crimps are FAR faster to install, and when done properly with the right tools, every bit as reliable (or more so) than a soldered connector. Personally I really dislike the "old school" Type-N connectors. Had way too many fail. The usual failure mode is that the cable is not mechanically attached to the connector well enough, and with some handling, the strands of the shield start breaking until the cable pulls out of the connector. For home use (where I don't own many hundreds of dollars of the proper crimp tools), I much prefer the newer Type-N connectors that are put together more like a PL-259. Yes, I know that they are not as perfect as the "old school" Type-N, they don't come apart.
Jim Walls K6CCC
---------------------------------------- From: "Joe" nss@mwt.net Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 8:03 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Best Connectors? Hi All, I till last night thought I found the "Holy Grail" of a connector and connector source. But maybe was blown down by a "Professional" That does all this "Radio Stuff" for a living.
I always LOVED the old "N" connectors. With the big rubber clamping thing inside for the shield. And always wished that method was available on other connectors, even the old PL-259.
A few weeks ago I found them, Like this,
http://dxavenue.com/131-465-thickbox/pl-259-clamp-connector-uhf-male.jpg
and I found a source, that is not only CHEAP, but in any combination you could even dream of. So No losses from adapters. Like from LMR-400 to Male BNC, or even LMR-400 to female SMA.
I bought three connectors. (2) LMR-400 to Male BNC (1) Male BNC to Female SMA
Total cost only 9 bucks and 3 days shipping time!
OK, I was sooo happy I had to bring them to the club meeting last night to let everyone else know of this find. And a guy that works for a land mobile company. They do all the radio work around here for the police, FD etc. And he said he wished he knew I wanted them. They got a box of a hundred in the storage room. A lot of equipment comes with the connectors like these but they refuse to use them. He said they are not reliable and the ground connection fails.
I never heard of this before. What is everyones thoughts here?
Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I have switched to crimp connectors and I do not think that the shield connections, on N connectors, is any less secure than the "old school type". In every case, the sheild is compressed against the connector body. Ithink the crimp connector makes a better shield connection. This topic came up on another group and someone on that group said the military only uses crimp connectors now. I could not verify his statement but it seems to me that it is much easier to make a reliable connection with crimp than with solder. Just my 2 cents worth.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Wed, Sep 7, 2016 at 10:21 AM, Jim Wallsjim@k6ccc.org wrote: I work in the Radio Shop for a fairly large city. We deal with everything from WiFi in police cars to a regional UHF T-Band P-25 trunked system. Essentially every RF connector we put on (except hardline) is a crimp type connector. We have the proper cable stripping, and crimp tools for them as well. The crimps are FAR faster to install, and when done properly with the right tools, every bit as reliable (or more so) than a soldered connector. Personally I really dislike the "old school" Type-N connectors. Had way too many fail. The usual failure mode is that the cable is not mechanically attached to the connector well enough, and with some handling, the strands of the shield start breaking until the cable pulls out of the connector. For home use (where I don't own many hundreds of dollars of the proper crimp tools), I much prefer the newer Type-N connectors that are put together more like a PL-259. Yes, I know that they are not as perfect as the "old school" Type-N, they don't come apart. Jim Walls K6CCC
---------------------------------------- From: "Joe" nss@mwt.net Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 8:03 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Best Connectors? Hi All, I till last night thought I found the "Holy Grail" of a connector and connector source. But maybe was blown down by a "Professional" That does all this "Radio Stuff" for a living.
I always LOVED the old "N" connectors. With the big rubber clamping thing inside for the shield. And always wished that method was available on other connectors, even the old PL-259.
A few weeks ago I found them, Like this,
http://dxavenue.com/131-465-thickbox/pl-259-clamp-connector-uhf-male.jpg
and I found a source, that is not only CHEAP, but in any combination you could even dream of. So No losses from adapters. Like from LMR-400 to Male BNC, or even LMR-400 to female SMA.
I bought three connectors. (2) LMR-400 to Male BNC (1) Male BNC to Female SMA
Total cost only 9 bucks and 3 days shipping time!
OK, I was sooo happy I had to bring them to the club meeting last night to let everyone else know of this find. And a guy that works for a land mobile company. They do all the radio work around here for the police, FD etc. And he said he wished he knew I wanted them. They got a box of a hundred in the storage room. A lot of equipment comes with the connectors like these but they refuse to use them. He said they are not reliable and the ground connection fails.
I never heard of this before. What is everyones thoughts here?
Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I too work in the profession and try to stay away from the old style. Not only will the shield eventually release but the center pin will at times recess. I use crimp whenever possible.
73, Roger W7TZ CN83ia
On Wed, Sep 7, 2016 at 3:45 PM, dougphelps@ameritech.net < dougphelps@ameritech.net> wrote:
I have switched to crimp connectors and I do not think that the shield connections, on N connectors, is any less secure than the "old school type". In every case, the sheild is compressed against the connector body. Ithink the crimp connector makes a better shield connection. This topic came up on another group and someone on that group said the military only uses crimp connectors now. I could not verify his statement but it seems to me that it is much easier to make a reliable connection with crimp than with solder. Just my 2 cents worth.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Wed, Sep 7, 2016 at 10:21 AM, Jim Wallsjim@k6ccc.org wrote: I work in the Radio Shop for a fairly large city. We deal with everything from WiFi in police cars to a regional UHF T-Band P-25 trunked system. Essentially every RF connector we put on (except hardline) is a crimp type connector. We have the proper cable stripping, and crimp tools for them as well. The crimps are FAR faster to install, and when done properly with the right tools, every bit as reliable (or more so) than a soldered connector. Personally I really dislike the "old school" Type-N connectors. Had way too many fail. The usual failure mode is that the cable is not mechanically attached to the connector well enough, and with some handling, the strands of the shield start breaking until the cable pulls out of the connector. For home use (where I don't own many hundreds of dollars of the proper crimp tools), I much prefer the newer Type-N connectors that are put together more like a PL-259. Yes, I know that they are not as perfect as the "old school" Type-N, they don't come apart.
Jim Walls K6CCC
From: "Joe" nss@mwt.net Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 8:03 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Best Connectors? Hi All, I till last night thought I found the "Holy Grail" of a connector and connector source. But maybe was blown down by a "Professional" That does all this "Radio Stuff" for a living.
I always LOVED the old "N" connectors. With the big rubber clamping thing inside for the shield. And always wished that method was available on other connectors, even the old PL-259.
A few weeks ago I found them, Like this,
http://dxavenue.com/131-465-thickbox/pl-259-clamp-connector-uhf-male.jpg
and I found a source, that is not only CHEAP, but in any combination you could even dream of. So No losses from adapters. Like from LMR-400 to Male BNC, or even LMR-400 to female SMA.
I bought three connectors. (2) LMR-400 to Male BNC (1) Male BNC to Female SMA
Total cost only 9 bucks and 3 days shipping time!
OK, I was sooo happy I had to bring them to the club meeting last night to let everyone else know of this find. And a guy that works for a land mobile company. They do all the radio work around here for the police, FD etc. And he said he wished he knew I wanted them. They got a box of a hundred in the storage room. A lot of equipment comes with the connectors like these but they refuse to use them. He said they are not reliable and the ground connection fails.
I never heard of this before. What is everyones thoughts here?
Joe WB9SBD
Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Wow cool, I did not expect this at all.
Joe WB9SBD Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 9/7/2016 11:03 AM, Roger wrote:
I too work in the profession and try to stay away from the old style. Not only will the shield eventually release but the center pin will at times recess. I use crimp whenever possible.
73, Roger W7TZ CN83ia
On Wed, Sep 7, 2016 at 3:45 PM, dougphelps@ameritech.net mailto:dougphelps@ameritech.net <dougphelps@ameritech.net mailto:dougphelps@ameritech.net> wrote:
I have switched to crimp connectors and I do not think that the shield connections, on N connectors, is any less secure than the "old school type". In every case, the sheild is compressed against the connector body. Ithink the crimp connector makes a better shield connection. This topic came up on another group and someone on that group said the military only uses crimp connectors now. I could not verify his statement but it seems to me that it is much easier to make a reliable connection with crimp than with solder. Just my 2 cents worth. Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Wed, Sep 7, 2016 at 10:21 AM, Jim Walls<jim@k6ccc.org <mailto:jim@k6ccc.org>> wrote: I work in the Radio Shop for a fairly large city. We deal with everything from WiFi in police cars to a regional UHF T-Band P-25 trunked system. Essentially every RF connector we put on (except hardline) is a crimp type connector. We have the proper cable stripping, and crimp tools for them as well. The crimps are FAR faster to install, and when done properly with the right tools, every bit as reliable (or more so) than a soldered connector. Personally I really dislike the "old school" Type-N connectors. Had way too many fail. The usual failure mode is that the cable is not mechanically attached to the connector well enough, and with some handling, the strands of the shield start breaking until the cable pulls out of the connector. For home use (where I don't own many hundreds of dollars of the proper crimp tools), I much prefer the newer Type-N connectors that are put together more like a PL-259. Yes, I know that they are not as perfect as the "old school" Type-N, they don't come apart. Jim Walls K6CCC ---------------------------------------- From: "Joe" <nss@mwt.net <mailto:nss@mwt.net>> Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 8:03 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org <mailto:amsat-bb@amsat.org> Subject: [amsat-bb] Best Connectors? Hi All, I till last night thought I found the "Holy Grail" of a connector and connector source. But maybe was blown down by a "Professional" That does all this "Radio Stuff" for a living. I always LOVED the old "N" connectors. With the big rubber clamping thing inside for the shield. And always wished that method was available on other connectors, even the old PL-259. A few weeks ago I found them, Like this, http://dxavenue.com/131-465-thickbox/pl-259-clamp-connector-uhf-male.jpg <http://dxavenue.com/131-465-thickbox/pl-259-clamp-connector-uhf-male.jpg> and I found a source, that is not only CHEAP, but in any combination you could even dream of. So No losses from adapters. Like from LMR-400 to Male BNC, or even LMR-400 to female SMA. I bought three connectors. (2) LMR-400 to Male BNC (1) Male BNC to Female SMA Total cost only 9 bucks and 3 days shipping time! OK, I was sooo happy I had to bring them to the club meeting last night to let everyone else know of this find. And a guy that works for a land mobile company. They do all the radio work around here for the police, FD etc. And he said he wished he knew I wanted them. They got a box of a hundred in the storage room. A lot of equipment comes with the connectors like these but they refuse to use them. He said they are not reliable and the ground connection fails. I never heard of this before. What is everyones thoughts here? Joe WB9SBD -- Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org <mailto:AMSAT-BB@amsat.org>. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org <mailto:AMSAT-BB@amsat.org>. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb> _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org <mailto:AMSAT-BB@amsat.org>. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb <http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb>
I also now use mostly crimp connections. The tools aren't that expensive, I spent under $100. Before I retired one of the last projects I did was do the engineering on the 10 year tech refresh for the 20 FAA ARTCC's GPS time source. I had to spec a 200 + foot cable run from the antenna on the roof to the actual time source unit. I worked with crimp connectors exclusively. After I did some crimps, I will never go back to solder. I do find it easier to solder the center pin though. On the old N type, I always had issues after awhile with the shield coming out on the cable run from the rotor loop to the antenna. If you must solder, use the newer type that go together like a PL-259 like Jim suggested. They will last much longer ...
73 Jeff kb2m
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Roger Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 12:04 PM To: dougphelps@ameritech.net Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Best Connectors?
I too work in the profession and try to stay away from the old style. Not only will the shield eventually release but the center pin will at times recess. I use crimp whenever possible.
73, Roger W7TZ CN83ia
On Wed, Sep 7, 2016 at 3:45 PM, dougphelps@ameritech.net < dougphelps@ameritech.net> wrote:
I have switched to crimp connectors and I do not think that the shield connections, on N connectors, is any less secure than the "old school type". In every case, the sheild is compressed against the connector body. Ithink the crimp connector makes a better shield connection. This topic came up on another group and someone on that group said the military only uses crimp connectors now. I could not verify his statement but it seems to me that it is much easier to make a reliable connection with crimp than with solder. Just my 2 cents worth.
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
On Wed, Sep 7, 2016 at 10:21 AM, Jim Wallsjim@k6ccc.org wrote: I work in the Radio Shop for a fairly large city. We deal with everything from WiFi in police cars to a regional UHF T-Band P-25 trunked
system.
Essentially every RF connector we put on (except hardline) is a crimp type connector. We have the proper cable stripping, and crimp tools for them as well. The crimps are FAR faster to install, and when done properly with the right tools, every bit as reliable (or more so) than a soldered connector. Personally I really dislike the "old school" Type-N connectors. Had way too many fail. The usual failure mode is that the cable is not mechanically attached to the connector well enough, and with some handling, the strands of the shield start breaking until the cable pulls out of the connector. For home use (where I don't own many hundreds of dollars of the proper crimp tools), I much prefer the newer Type-N connectors that are put together more like a PL-259. Yes, I know that they are not as perfect as the "old school" Type-N, they
don't come apart.
Jim Walls K6CCC
From: "Joe" nss@mwt.net Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2016 8:03 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Best Connectors? Hi All, I till last night thought I found the "Holy Grail" of a connector and connector source. But maybe was blown down by a "Professional" That does all this "Radio Stuff" for a living.
I always LOVED the old "N" connectors. With the big rubber clamping thing inside for the shield. And always wished that method was available on other connectors, even the old PL-259.
A few weeks ago I found them, Like this,
http://dxavenue.com/131-465-thickbox/pl-259-clamp-connector-uhf-male.j pg
and I found a source, that is not only CHEAP, but in any combination you could even dream of. So No losses from adapters. Like from LMR-400 to Male BNC, or even LMR-400 to female SMA.
I bought three connectors. (2) LMR-400 to Male BNC (1) Male BNC to Female SMA
Total cost only 9 bucks and 3 days shipping time!
OK, I was sooo happy I had to bring them to the club meeting last night to let everyone else know of this find. And a guy that works for a land mobile company. They do all the radio work around here for the police, FD etc. And he said he wished he knew I wanted them. They got a box of a hundred in the storage room. A lot of equipment comes with the connectors like these but they refuse to use them. He said they are not reliable and the ground connection fails.
I never heard of this before. What is everyones thoughts here?
Joe WB9SBD
At 05:45 PM 9/7/2016 -0400, "Jeff Griffin" kb2m@arrl.net wrote:
I also now use mostly crimp connections. The tools aren't that expensive, I spent under $100. Before I retired one of the last projects I did was do the engineering on the 10 year tech refresh for the 20 FAA ARTCC's GPS time source. I had to spec a 200 + foot cable run from the antenna on the roof to the actual time source unit. I worked with crimp connectors exclusively. After I did some crimps, I will never go back to solder. I do find it easier to solder the center pin though. On the old N type, I always had issues after awhile with the shield coming out on the cable run from the rotor loop to the antenna. If you must solder, use the newer type that go together like a PL-259 like Jim suggested. They will last much longer ...
73 Jeff kb2m
I'm finding this an interesting thread. I've always been partial to clamp N connectors my self. When I've needed to replace cable, I just un-clamp de-solder the center pin and re-use the connector.
I will say over the years, I have had to numerous times re-do the clamp-ons around the rotor and antennas as they do become loose and lose shield ground as others here have noted.
I may look into crimp.
KB7ADL
I agree 100%, I'm glad I asked this question.
I myself never in my mind thought a crimp as being a superior connection.
Solder is best, and that seems to all agree.
But like an "N", is there such a thing as an all soldering format?
Or "BNC" or any common connector.
Joe WB9SBD Sig The Original Rolling Ball Clock Idle Tyme Idle-Tyme.com http://www.idle-tyme.com On 9/7/2016 6:45 PM, Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL wrote:
At 05:45 PM 9/7/2016 -0400, "Jeff Griffin" kb2m@arrl.net wrote:
I also now use mostly crimp connections. The tools aren't that expensive, I spent under $100. Before I retired one of the last projects I did was do the engineering on the 10 year tech refresh for the 20 FAA ARTCC's GPS time source. I had to spec a 200 + foot cable run from the antenna on the roof to the actual time source unit. I worked with crimp connectors exclusively. After I did some crimps, I will never go back to solder. I do find it easier to solder the center pin though. On the old N type, I always had issues after awhile with the shield coming out on the cable run from the rotor loop to the antenna. If you must solder, use the newer type that go together like a PL-259 like Jim suggested. They will last much longer ...
73 Jeff kb2m
I'm finding this an interesting thread. I've always been partial to clamp N connectors my self. When I've needed to replace cable, I just un-clamp de-solder the center pin and re-use the connector.
I will say over the years, I have had to numerous times re-do the clamp-ons around the rotor and antennas as they do become loose and lose shield ground as others here have noted.
I may look into crimp.
KB7ADL
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (6)
-
dougphelps＠ameritech.net -
Jeff Griffin -
Jim Walls -
Joe -
Roger -
Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL