Hi Bill,
Both N and BNC connectors have their own unique issues... BNC connectors have rather poor shielding performance caused by imperfect axial alignment and limited engagement pressure, both of which are easily demonstrated by a VNA, especially above 20 MHz. Both BNC and N connectors suffer from small center pin size and weak center pin engagement pressure, both of which affect reliability and power handling capability. Don't even consider installing the long obsolete multi-part BNC and N connectors with loose center pins requiring precise placement and axial orientation. Very many of these obsolete connectors are improperly installed by both hams and professionals. Modern BNC and N connectors with captive center pins are much more reliable and less subject to installation errors, although for some hams no job is so simple that it cannot be done wrong. 73 Frank W3LPL ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Frantz" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 9:05:22 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reliable PL-259 UHF connector engagement As someone who is currently switching bands by going outside and replugging PL259s, I fully agree that other connectors, e.g. BNC would be nicer. I have gotten in the habit of skipping pulling out my LeatherMan and instead joining the connection to the point where I can feel the teeth engaging and there is still some slop in the connection. I then gently work the two connectors together, trying to move them back and fourth until there is no slop and the connection is solid. It does seem to work. 73 Bill AE6JV On 7/29/20 at 2:21 PM, [email protected] (Walter Underwood) wrote: >>On Jul 29, 2020, at 9:49 AM, [email protected] wrote: >> >>Unlike N and BNC connectors, a PL-259 is dependent on proper >>engagement of its outer shell and interconnecting teeth to the >>mating SO-239 socket. > >That is exactly why I consider UHF connectors to be a poor >design. I use connectors which are designed to connect without >special effort. >Seriously, that is the main point of a connector, to connect. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz |The nice thing about standards| Periwinkle (408)348-7900 |is there are so many to choose| 150 Rivermead Rd #235 www.pwpconsult.com |from. - Andrew Tanenbaum | Peterborough, NH 03458 ______________________________________________________________ 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]
