Skipp,
Verrry interesting! By curious coincidence, the installation
instructions for the new Andrew Heliax connectors states that the
connector must first be tightened and then removed to inspect the flare
before re-tightening. I understand that the advice against re-using
connectors is probably directed toward re-use of connectors that have
been in service for some time, but the distinction should be made that
merely tightening the connector once does not necessarily preclude
tightening it a second time. (I, too, reuse expensive Heliax
connectors!)
73, Eric Lemmon WB6FLY
skipp025 wrote:
> I saw a Sinclair demo at IWCE Las Vegas last
> month about intermod from new & re-used
> hardline connectors.
>
> Wrong re-use & assembly of a typical hardline
> connector can be a serious IMD Generator, both
> new and used. Who would have thought..?
>
> The major idea that I can pass along to most of
> you is: Once you tighten a hardline connector
> down, you should not reuse the same hardline end
> position again. Cut off even the once used end
> section & start with a new un-used end.
>
> "Cut off the portion of the hardline which had the
> connector removed and place any new/used connectors
> on virgin hardline end-sections." It might be
> expensive or not practical, but it could save your
> bacon on a busy mountain top. PIM is a real
> Bxxxh (ryhmes with itch) to find and fix.
>
> The fly in the soup is the first-use grooves &
> scratches created in the hardline metal, which
> become serious PIM (Intermod) generators within
> the actual connector (both new and used).
>
> Some of you re-using old hardline might be shooting
> yourself in the foot right from the starting gate.
> Again, if you assemble a new or used hardline run,
> try to use new virgin cable ends only once.
>
> The real trouble is mostly sourced around the
> center pin connection in relation to the hardline
> in 7/8, 1-1/4, 1-5/8 and similar runs. But examples
> of 3/8, 1/2 and smaller PIM generators were given.
>
> One thing about the Sinclair RF Engineers, they
> really know their stuff well. Expensive but well
> worth their prices. If you visit the Sinclair web
> pages, notice they do specialize in antenna versions
> for problematic PIM sites.
>
> ****
>
> Not related to Sinclairs information, I will say that
> I do reuse some expensive connectors and hardline
> ends after inspection and cleaning.
> Said cleaning is with a brass or stainless brush. Stay
> away from steel cleaning brushes.
>
> That's about it... still trying to get that great
> Dayton hotdog tent smell out of my head.
>
> chow for now
> skipp
>
> skipp025 @yahoo.com
> www.radiowrench.com
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
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