There's enormous variance in the quality and reliability of RF connectors; typically caused by inferior materials, manufacturing and installation methods. Hams should never try to save a few dollars on hamfest or cheap import connectors or cables. This is absolutely one of the worst places to economize in your station.
The BNC connector probably has the widest quality variance of any RF connector commonly used by hams. Why is this? In part because the axial alignment and mating force of the male and female connector bodies is critically important to reliable connector performance. The spring force of the BNC bayonette and the manufacturing tolerances of the connector must establish and maintain excellent axial connector alignment and mating force throughout its life. Hams experienced in using BNC connectors will often recognize a poor quality BNC connector when the force required to engage the bayonette is unusually low and the axial alignment of the connector bodies is not firmly established and maintained after engaging the connector. If you can easily manipulate the axial a lignment of a BNC connector to its mate you probably have an unreliable BNC connector. This is exactly what was wrong with BNC cable assemblies delivered by Elecraft with some P3s. 73 Frank W3LPL ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Cole (NK7Z)" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, January 4, 2019 3:42:29 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Standard internal Noise Bottom line... We all spent thousands on our setups, why cheap out on a connector... 73s and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net Award Manager, 30MDG Grid Contest ARRL Technical Specialist ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL OOC for Oregon On 1/3/19 1:29 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: > That's why I say "in most installations, more connectors usually equal > more problems". Mechanical-electro connectors are the weak link in > most all systems. > > I've never burned any coax, but I sure have fried a few connectors to > the point of having them flash over internally. With low level signals, > oxidation of contacts restrict or prevent the flow of current. For that > reason, it is good practice to "exercise" connectors to provide wiping > action of the contacts. > > And then there are those "look good" connectors found at many hamfests. > Buyer beware, they aren't usually as they appear but simply "good > looking" not necessarily "good performing". Stick with major known brands. > > 73 > > Bob, K4TAX > > > On 1/3/2019 3:01 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >> The quality of the coax is usually good, but it is the connectors that >> give trouble. If you cut off the connectors and use Amphenol >> connectors you will usually have a 'quality' cable. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >> On 1/3/2019 3:22 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote: >>> DX Engineering has the following: >>> >>> https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-8xdb002 >>> >>> 73 >>> >>> Bob, K4TAX >>> >>> >>> >>> On 1/3/2019 1:53 PM, Buck wrote: >>>> Where did you find "quality" cables? >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 >> Message delivered to [email protected] >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to [email protected]
