John,
I too have come to the conclusion that working with BNC and N connectors
is actually a lot easier than UHF types.
But I continually hear from hams that look at the K2 and point to the
BNC connector on the QRP unit then comment "THAT would HAVE to be
changed to a UHF type - that is all I use".
Somehow there seems to be a prevalent opinion that BNC and N connectors
are harder to assemble than UHF, but I find exactly the opposite to be
true. While it IS easy to assemble a UHF connector improperly and have
it 'work' (after a fashion), improperly assembled BNC/N/TNC/C connectors
usually won't work at all. In the past, I subscribed to the 'UHF is
easier' camp until I discovered that my only failing with BNC and N
connectors was that I did not pay enough attention to the coax stripping
length instructions.
I have finally invested in a set of ratchet crimpers so I can use crimp
style connectors - that makes the BNC/N/TNC/C connectors MUCH easier to
assemble than the UHF type - but one must still be careful about cutting
the coax correctly.
73,
Don W3FPR
John GM4SLV wrote:
<hobby horse>
But in terms of being a PITA to put the plugs on correctly, and mostly
these days they seem made of soft cheese, I'd have a /real/ RF
connector over a "UHF" one any day.
Proper N/BNC/TNC/C types, with pressure sleave and "top hat" ferrule for
under the braid are a joy to fit, requiring a knife, a pair of small
sidecutters, a _small_ soldering iron for the centre pin only and a
couple of small spanners to do up the clamp nut. No messing about with
soldering guns, blow torches or whatever people use to try and make a
decent fist of soldering the braid (or usually just relying on pressure
and the mstical force of gravity to hold the braid in contact with the
shell of the plug).
I agree that nobody is going to notice a performance problem with
"UHF" connectors at HF but they just feel wrong to me...
I didn't even know Elecraft used 259s on some of their products (only
having a barefoot K2 and a K1) and it kinda surprises me. They use BNCs
on the rigs...why not continue that to the PA? Even a BNC is adequate
for the power levels involved and anyone with a K2 must be happy with
working with BNCs already....
</hobby horse>
Cheers,
John GM4SLV
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