Hello all, Just my 2 cents. I don't own any type N connectors personally, but I do work on military aircraft and have never seen a UHF connector used. Crimping is not allowed; soldering is the only option for everything.
73 Brian N1WNC -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jack Smith Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 8:19 AM To: Larry Phipps Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Type "N" connectors I bought my tool and die sets from RF Parts http://www.rfparts.com/. I have seen what seems to be the same tool at about half the price searching around on the internet a while ago, but I can't be sure if it is exactly the same. RF Connection http://www.therfc.com/ also has an interchangable die tool that's more reasonablly priced, but again I can't be sure it's the same. It looks the same, but it's hard to judge a tool without having it in your hands. And Don is 100% right, a cheap tool is no bargain if it breaks or does not do the job right. I would look for a ratcheting type tool, as crimping RG213/214 size cable requires a lot of pressure and the ratcheting feature helps. I don't think even a ratcheting tool will work for larger cables, such as LMR600, where you need a lot of force. I believe those use a hydraulic crimper. I wound up with three die sets to cover the work I do. Jack Larry Phipps wrote: > Thanks Jack. That begs the question for us lazy types... which > supplier is cheapest? > > 73, > Larry N8LP > > > Jack Smith wrote: >> I would add that once you have a good crimp tool, such as the >> ratcheting type Don mentions, one can install crimp UHF connectors as >> well. >> >> I switched to crimp-type connectors quite a while ago and find them >> superior to solder-type connectors. Some crimp connectors are >> double-crimp, i.e., both the center pin and shield are crimped and >> others have a solder-type center pin and crimp shield. >> >> It's important that the crimp connector be the correct one for the >> coax type and that you use the correct die size, of course. Some >> crimp tools have interchangeable die sets and others are made with a >> non-removable die. >> >> If you decide to buy a crimp tool, shop around, as there is at least >> a 2:1 price variation from supplier-to-supplier for what seems to be >> the same tool. >> >> Jack K8ZOA >> >> >> >> Don Wilhelm wrote: >>> 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 >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Post to: [email protected] >>> You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >>> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: >>> http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >>> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Post to: [email protected] >> You must be a subscriber to post to the list. >> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): >> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: >> http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm >> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com >> >> > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: [email protected] > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
