Dave, Crimped N connectors are NOT watertight, nor need they be. For that matter, clamp-type N connectors are not watertight, either. The manufacturers' catalog sheets may make that claim, but don't believe it.
The value of crimped N connectors over clamped N connectors is that the former is much easier to install and, paradoxically, provides a better and more consistent connection. Popular thinking is that anything that takes longer to install and requires greater care, must always be better. The reality is that crimped connectors are almost universally used by commercial installers not because they are quicker to install, but because they are better. They are more resistant to pull-out, and the impedance is maintained better through the connector. Of course, not all crimp connectors are the same quality. You get what you pay for, and I am not one of those who spends any time at all searching for "bargain" connectors. As for watertightness, well, that's the result of the overwrap that all outdoor connectors should have. After ensuring that the connector is really tight, the splice should be overwrapped with a good self-vulcanizing rubber tape, such as 3M Scotch #130C or "bi-seal" tape. Start about two inches below the splice, and wrap upwards while overlapping about half of the turn below, to about two inches above the splice. Repeat with a second wrap, and then finish with a layer of plastic electrician's tape, such as 3M Scotch #33. When done properly, the connectors are fully protected against water intrusion. 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Eric, what about water ingress into those crimped type N connectors? > Most I've seen don't look water tight. Do they have a gasket on the > outer jacket like the clamp connectors? Dave > > ______________________________ Reply Separator > _________________________________ > Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] crimp/crimp or clamp/solder? > Author: <[email protected]> at Internet_mail > Date: 12/1/2003 9:19 PM > > Sean, > > I have installed many hundreds of coaxial connectors over the past 40 > years, and I have come to prefer crimp/crimp connectors for all critical > work. Based on my own experience and the recommendations of several > others who do similar work, I now use only connectors made by RF > Industries. I have found that they are of consistently high quality, > and they maintain impedance very well- a design goal of both N and BNC > connectors. Although RFI does make a slightly cheaper line of N and BNC > connectors that have nickel plating and Delrin dielectric, I tend to > stick with the silver-plated connectors and Teflon dielectric. The > center pins are always gold plated. > > The hex crimping tool costs about $100 in a kit with the dies needed for > RG-142 and RG-214, and a commercial cable prep tool for stripping each > layer of the cable will run another $75 or so. Many people will balk at > having to spend the money to get the proper tools, but the end results > are really worth it. I take great pride in my repeater installations, > and you won't find any inter-series adapters used at all. It makes for > a classy (OK, that's just my own opinion!) installation when all of the > jumpers are exactly the right length, and have the correct mating > connectors on each end. > > If the cable will not be moved once installed, RG-142/U cable is okay, > but be aware that it has a solid steel center conductor that can (and > often does) crack over time due to fatigue. RG-400/U cable is exactly > the same in appearance and performance as RG-142/U, except that it has a > stranded and silver-plated copper center conductor. > > For the record, I have no financial interest in RF Industries, Inc. > > 73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY > > Sean KE6MOW wrote: > > > > I am interested in getting opinions on which type of coaxial connectors > > are prefered and why. > > > > Coax will be RG-142 & RG-214 used as jumper/interconnect cables. > > Connectors will be BNC & N. > > > > Thanks, > > Sean > > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
