On 4/26/2013 5:05 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
Not only is it too easy to damage the center pin/socket, BNC is a "clamp" type connector and is prone to improper assembly.
YES. This is one big reason why I try to avoid BNC connectors. I don't buy "cable assemblies," both because I don't want to pay someone else to do what I can do better myself, and because I don't trust unknown vendors to use high quality connectors and high quality cable. Most pre-made "cable assemblies" are a "pig in a poke" at best, and cheap junk at worst.
I buy good cable and good connectors and install them myself. While it's certainly possible to install crimp-type connectors well, it requires very good connectors that physically fit the cable, and a very good crimp tool that physically fits the connector. Good crimp tools are expensive, and to do it WELL, you need a different tool for every different connector that you want to use.
Appliance operators may be happy with buying pre-wired BNC cable assemblies from vendors who believe that "hams are cheap" (and that's exactly what one of the most popular East Coast vendors of ham cable assemblies told me when I complained about the JUNK DIN connectors they had sold me, and that same vendor didn't have a real technical data sheet tor the coax he wanted to use for a DXpedition that wanted to buy coax from them. The BNC cable shipped with one of my P3s was defective. :)
UHF connectors are very good connectors for use at HFat ham power levels. Because they're not precisely 50 ohms, they are less desirable at VHF and above.
One of the major reasons BNCs are popular with QRP folks is that they are smaller, so they take up less space on a panel, and lighter in weight.
73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
