Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[rich hurd WC3T]

The denouement to the story:  I wrote to Elecraft and purchased P/N
E850552, the KX3 Antenna Connector Assembly w/LPF.   It arrived today.

After the cub scout meeting tonight (my son went from Webelos to the local
scout pack in the crossover ceremony tonight) I spent the last 20 minutes
(and two slices of pizza) putting it in and swearing at not being able to
line up the pins in the ATU in the KX3 radio.  After several fits and
starts, I attached the BNC and tuned immediately to 1:1 on 40 and 20
meters.Best $50 or so that I ever spent.

Sometimes ya just gotta go for the gusto.   Now to hook everything else
back up from the trip to the mountain, and get on the air again!

On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 6:04 PM, rich hurd WC3T  wrote:

> Thanks Don; I remember that we went over this earlier in the thread.
>
> Highly unlikely that I had legacy stuff as I became a ham in 2015 and
> acquired most of my stuff new.
>
> I am inclined to think that it was more possibly an out of spec 50 ohm
> connector or a manufacturing defect.  I've already worked on the finger
> bending thing but I ageee that given my lack of success that I'd be best
> served by spending the $47 and just buying a new assembly and replacing it.
>
>
> I appreciate all the help and suggestions from all the Elecraft community.
>
>
> On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 17:48 Don Wilhelm  wrote:
>
>> Rich,
>>
>> Since you have traced the problem to the contact between the female BNC
>> and the male (yes your twisting and applying pressure confirms that is
>> the problem).
>>
>> It is entirely possible that if you had some old cables made with old 75
>> ohm BNC male connectors, that they could have enlarged the female pin
>> causing it to become marginal when used with the 50 ohm male connectors.
>>
>> You may have success with a very slender tool to bend the 'fingers' of
>> the female connector toward the center, but the best cure is to replace
>> that connector.
>>
>> Before we get into another long discussion of 50 ohm and 75 ohm center
>> pin diameters, let me say that modern BNCs use the same diameter center
>> pin for both.
>> That was not always true, so beware when buying older BNC jumpers at
>> hamfest flea markets - the old ones could be old 75 ohm BNCs with the
>> larger center pin.  Those less than 10 or 15 years old are OK.
>> It may also be that *some* imported BNC connectors do not have the
>> proper diameter.  For best results, buy only Amphenol connectors or
>> other trusted brands.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 3/9/2018 11:13 AM, rich hurd WC3T wrote:
>> > I've pretty much exhausted most of the permutations of my cables and
>> > connectors.  The only persistent behavior is that if I apply slight
>> > pressure to the side of the BNC connector where it plugs into the jack
>> on
>> > the KX3, or sometimes if I twist it and then apply slight pressure just
>> so,
>> > I see a jump in the noise floor and instead of the internal ATU wearing
>> > itself out and giving up with a 9:1 or 7:1 SWR, it immediately tunes to
>> 1.0
>> > or 1.1.   I have removed/swapped all my the antenna leads.  I have four
>> of
>> > them, all Cables On Demand (Amphenol) manufacture.  I also have a
>> number of
>> > BNC to banana plug jacks, and even an MFJ-1899T.  If I replace the leads
>> > without doing the twisting-and-slight-pressure thing, I lose the RF
>> > connection; the S meter has no indications on it, and the noise floor is
>> > nonexistent.
>> >
>>
> --
> 72,
> Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
> PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information
> Officer for Scouting
> Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W)
> Grid: *FN20is*
>
>


-- 
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[rich hurd WC3T]

Thanks Don; I remember that we went over this earlier in the thread.

Highly unlikely that I had legacy stuff as I became a ham in 2015 and
acquired most of my stuff new.

I am inclined to think that it was more possibly an out of spec 50 ohm
connector or a manufacturing defect.  I've already worked on the finger
bending thing but I ageee that given my lack of success that I'd be best
served by spending the $47 and just buying a new assembly and replacing it.


I appreciate all the help and suggestions from all the Elecraft community.

On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 17:48 Don Wilhelm  wrote:

> Rich,
>
> Since you have traced the problem to the contact between the female BNC
> and the male (yes your twisting and applying pressure confirms that is
> the problem).
>
> It is entirely possible that if you had some old cables made with old 75
> ohm BNC male connectors, that they could have enlarged the female pin
> causing it to become marginal when used with the 50 ohm male connectors.
>
> You may have success with a very slender tool to bend the 'fingers' of
> the female connector toward the center, but the best cure is to replace
> that connector.
>
> Before we get into another long discussion of 50 ohm and 75 ohm center
> pin diameters, let me say that modern BNCs use the same diameter center
> pin for both.
> That was not always true, so beware when buying older BNC jumpers at
> hamfest flea markets - the old ones could be old 75 ohm BNCs with the
> larger center pin.  Those less than 10 or 15 years old are OK.
> It may also be that *some* imported BNC connectors do not have the
> proper diameter.  For best results, buy only Amphenol connectors or
> other trusted brands.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 3/9/2018 11:13 AM, rich hurd WC3T wrote:
> > I've pretty much exhausted most of the permutations of my cables and
> > connectors.  The only persistent behavior is that if I apply slight
> > pressure to the side of the BNC connector where it plugs into the jack on
> > the KX3, or sometimes if I twist it and then apply slight pressure just
> so,
> > I see a jump in the noise floor and instead of the internal ATU wearing
> > itself out and giving up with a 9:1 or 7:1 SWR, it immediately tunes to
> 1.0
> > or 1.1.   I have removed/swapped all my the antenna leads.  I have four
> of
> > them, all Cables On Demand (Amphenol) manufacture.  I also have a number
> of
> > BNC to banana plug jacks, and even an MFJ-1899T.  If I replace the leads
> > without doing the twisting-and-slight-pressure thing, I lose the RF
> > connection; the S meter has no indications on it, and the noise floor is
> > nonexistent.
> >
>
-- 
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[Don Wilhelm]

Rich,

Since you have traced the problem to the contact between the female BNC 
and the male (yes your twisting and applying pressure confirms that is 
the problem).


It is entirely possible that if you had some old cables made with old 75 
ohm BNC male connectors, that they could have enlarged the female pin 
causing it to become marginal when used with the 50 ohm male connectors.


You may have success with a very slender tool to bend the 'fingers' of 
the female connector toward the center, but the best cure is to replace 
that connector.


Before we get into another long discussion of 50 ohm and 75 ohm center 
pin diameters, let me say that modern BNCs use the same diameter center 
pin for both.
That was not always true, so beware when buying older BNC jumpers at 
hamfest flea markets - the old ones could be old 75 ohm BNCs with the 
larger center pin.  Those less than 10 or 15 years old are OK.
It may also be that *some* imported BNC connectors do not have the 
proper diameter.  For best results, buy only Amphenol connectors or 
other trusted brands.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/9/2018 11:13 AM, rich hurd WC3T wrote:

I've pretty much exhausted most of the permutations of my cables and
connectors.  The only persistent behavior is that if I apply slight
pressure to the side of the BNC connector where it plugs into the jack on
the KX3, or sometimes if I twist it and then apply slight pressure just so,
I see a jump in the noise floor and instead of the internal ATU wearing
itself out and giving up with a 9:1 or 7:1 SWR, it immediately tunes to 1.0
or 1.1.   I have removed/swapped all my the antenna leads.  I have four of
them, all Cables On Demand (Amphenol) manufacture.  I also have a number of
BNC to banana plug jacks, and even an MFJ-1899T.  If I replace the leads
without doing the twisting-and-slight-pressure thing, I lose the RF
connection; the S meter has no indications on it, and the noise floor is
nonexistent.


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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[Johan Ymerson]

Unfortunately there are some really crappy (cheap) BNC connectors out there, 
some with too large centre pins. Using one of those even once may be enought 
to damage the female side :-(
So when you get a new female for your KX3, have a look at all your cables and 
adapters and make sure all of them are good quality.

73 de Johan, SM0XHJ

On Friday, 9 March 2018 17:13:58 CET rich hurd WC3T wrote:
> I've pretty much exhausted most of the permutations of my cables and
> connectors.  The only persistent behavior is that if I apply slight
> pressure to the side of the BNC connector where it plugs into the jack on
> the KX3, or sometimes if I twist it and then apply slight pressure just so,
> I see a jump in the noise floor and instead of the internal ATU wearing
> itself out and giving up with a 9:1 or 7:1 SWR, it immediately tunes to 1.0
> or 1.1.   I have removed/swapped all my the antenna leads.  I have four of
> them, all Cables On Demand (Amphenol) manufacture.  I also have a number of
> BNC to banana plug jacks, and even an MFJ-1899T.  If I replace the leads
> without doing the twisting-and-slight-pressure thing, I lose the RF
> connection; the S meter has no indications on it, and the noise floor is
> nonexistent.
> 
> As the old saw goes "The only common thing about all of your dysfunctional
> relationships... is you."   I can extrapolate that to "the only common
> thing about all my poor connections is the BNC jack on the KX3."   Yes, I
> have cracked the case, confirmed that all connections are firmly seated;
> all mechanical connections are sound and tightly made.  I have a jeweler's
> screwdriver that I have used to slightly bend the female 'fingers' in for a
> better contact as well;  they bend inward, and then spring back into place
> again.
> 
> It's about time to consider a new jack.  Frustrating, but I've now spent
> three or so hours finagling this and given the bench rate of an RF tech,
> I'm wasting money (and time.)
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[rich hurd WC3T]

I've pretty much exhausted most of the permutations of my cables and
connectors.  The only persistent behavior is that if I apply slight
pressure to the side of the BNC connector where it plugs into the jack on
the KX3, or sometimes if I twist it and then apply slight pressure just so,
I see a jump in the noise floor and instead of the internal ATU wearing
itself out and giving up with a 9:1 or 7:1 SWR, it immediately tunes to 1.0
or 1.1.   I have removed/swapped all my the antenna leads.  I have four of
them, all Cables On Demand (Amphenol) manufacture.  I also have a number of
BNC to banana plug jacks, and even an MFJ-1899T.  If I replace the leads
without doing the twisting-and-slight-pressure thing, I lose the RF
connection; the S meter has no indications on it, and the noise floor is
nonexistent.

As the old saw goes "The only common thing about all of your dysfunctional
relationships... is you."   I can extrapolate that to "the only common
thing about all my poor connections is the BNC jack on the KX3."   Yes, I
have cracked the case, confirmed that all connections are firmly seated;
all mechanical connections are sound and tightly made.  I have a jeweler's
screwdriver that I have used to slightly bend the female 'fingers' in for a
better contact as well;  they bend inward, and then spring back into place
again.

It's about time to consider a new jack.  Frustrating, but I've now spent
three or so hours finagling this and given the bench rate of an RF tech,
I'm wasting money (and time.)

On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 10:32 AM, Ignacy  wrote:

> I use many BNC connectors, some at KW level, and nearly all of them are
> good.
> But occasionally some do not make a good contact and need to be thrown away
> ASAP. The best way to check is to try another cable.
>
> Recently I bought a large number of cheap RG-58 cables with BNC connectors
> from showmecables.com.  The cables turned out to be 60 Ohm and many
> connectors are poor.
>
> I like cables at hamfests from old professional equipment.
>
> Ignacy, NO9E
>
>
>
> --
> Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
> __
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> Message delivered to r...@wc3t.us
>



-- 
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[Ignacy]

I use many BNC connectors, some at KW level, and nearly all of them are good.
But occasionally some do not make a good contact and need to be thrown away
ASAP. The best way to check is to try another cable. 

Recently I bought a large number of cheap RG-58 cables with BNC connectors
from showmecables.com.  The cables turned out to be 60 Ohm and many
connectors are poor. 
 
I like cables at hamfests from old professional equipment. 

Ignacy, NO9E



--
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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[rich hurd WC3T]

That's one thing I was able to check; connector is tightened securely on
the shell of the KX3.  Thanks.

On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 3:44 PM, Don Wilhelm  wrote:

> Rich,
>
> If the BNC connector rotates even a wee bit, that is the problem - tighten
> the BNC jack.  A good connection to the jack shell is required.
> "Opening it up" is not a big deal - unless you have the 2 meter option -
> just remove the bottom cover, no more complicated than changing batteries.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> On 3/8/2018 3:20 PM, rich hurd WC3T wrote:
>
>> I have three more days of checking various configurations including
>> binding
>> post antennas, end fed half waves, opening the damn thing up...   Thanks
>> all for the suggestions.
>>
>> On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 2:50 PM, Walter Underwood 
>> wrote:
>>
>> Open it up and make sure that the antenna connector is securely connected
>>> to the ATU board.
>>>
>>> wunder
>>> K6WRU
>>> Walter Underwood
>>> CM87wj
>>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
>>>
>>> On Mar 8, 2018, at 11:46 AM, GRANT YOUNGMAN 

>>> wrote:
>>>

 So was the antenna and related cabling/connectors good as verified by

>>> your analyzer at the point of the radio connection?  In some 60 years of
>>> doing this, I have yet to find the radio to be the problem when it tells
>>> me
>>> it’s looking into high SWR.  There’s a first time for everything, course
>>> :-)
>>>


 On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:23 PM, rich hurd WC3T  wrote:
>
> Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on
> vacation.   Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of
> 25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere.  I'm now working through
>
 what
>>>
 options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and
> doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of
>
 wires
>>>
 and connectors.
>
> I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector
> with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with
> a
> new chassis connector.
>
> Ain't radio fun?   :)
>
>
 Grant NQ5T
 K3 #2091, KX3 #8342



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>>>
>>> __
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>>> Message delivered to r...@wc3t.us
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>


-- 
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[Don Wilhelm]

Rich,

If the BNC connector rotates even a wee bit, that is the problem - 
tighten the BNC jack.  A good connection to the jack shell is required.
"Opening it up" is not a big deal - unless you have the 2 meter option - 
just remove the bottom cover, no more complicated than changing batteries.


73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/8/2018 3:20 PM, rich hurd WC3T wrote:

I have three more days of checking various configurations including binding
post antennas, end fed half waves, opening the damn thing up...   Thanks
all for the suggestions.

On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 2:50 PM, Walter Underwood 
wrote:


Open it up and make sure that the antenna connector is securely connected
to the ATU board.

wunder
K6WRU
Walter Underwood
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)


On Mar 8, 2018, at 11:46 AM, GRANT YOUNGMAN 

wrote:


So was the antenna and related cabling/connectors good as verified by

your analyzer at the point of the radio connection?  In some 60 years of
doing this, I have yet to find the radio to be the problem when it tells me
it’s looking into high SWR.  There’s a first time for everything, course :-)




On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:23 PM, rich hurd WC3T  wrote:

Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on
vacation.   Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of
25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere.  I'm now working through

what

options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and
doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of

wires

and connectors.

I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector
with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a
new chassis connector.

Ain't radio fun?   :)



Grant NQ5T
K3 #2091, KX3 #8342



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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[rich hurd WC3T]

I have three more days of checking various configurations including binding
post antennas, end fed half waves, opening the damn thing up...   Thanks
all for the suggestions.

On Thu, Mar 8, 2018 at 2:50 PM, Walter Underwood 
wrote:

> Open it up and make sure that the antenna connector is securely connected
> to the ATU board.
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
> Walter Underwood
> CM87wj
> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
>
> > On Mar 8, 2018, at 11:46 AM, GRANT YOUNGMAN 
> wrote:
> >
> > So was the antenna and related cabling/connectors good as verified by
> your analyzer at the point of the radio connection?  In some 60 years of
> doing this, I have yet to find the radio to be the problem when it tells me
> it’s looking into high SWR.  There’s a first time for everything, course :-)
> >
> >
> >> On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:23 PM, rich hurd WC3T  wrote:
> >>
> >> Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on
> >> vacation.   Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of
> >> 25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere.  I'm now working through
> what
> >> options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and
> >> doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of
> wires
> >> and connectors.
> >>
> >> I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector
> >> with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a
> >> new chassis connector.
> >>
> >> Ain't radio fun?   :)
> >>
> >
> > Grant NQ5T
> > K3 #2091, KX3 #8342
> >
> >
> >
> > __
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-- 
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[Walter Underwood]

Open it up and make sure that the antenna connector is securely connected to 
the ATU board.

wunder
K6WRU
Walter Underwood
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)

> On Mar 8, 2018, at 11:46 AM, GRANT YOUNGMAN  wrote:
> 
> So was the antenna and related cabling/connectors good as verified by your 
> analyzer at the point of the radio connection?  In some 60 years of doing 
> this, I have yet to find the radio to be the problem when it tells me it’s 
> looking into high SWR.  There’s a first time for everything, course :-)
> 
> 
>> On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:23 PM, rich hurd WC3T  wrote:
>> 
>> Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on
>> vacation.   Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of
>> 25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere.  I'm now working through what
>> options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and
>> doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of wires
>> and connectors.
>> 
>> I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector
>> with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a
>> new chassis connector.
>> 
>> Ain't radio fun?   :)
>> 
> 
> Grant NQ5T
> K3 #2091, KX3 #8342
> 
> 
> 
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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[GRANT YOUNGMAN]

So was the antenna and related cabling/connectors good as verified by your 
analyzer at the point of the radio connection?  In some 60 years of doing this, 
I have yet to find the radio to be the problem when it tells me it’s looking 
into high SWR.  There’s a first time for everything, course :-)


> On Mar 8, 2018, at 2:23 PM, rich hurd WC3T  wrote:
> 
> Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on
> vacation.   Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of
> 25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere.  I'm now working through what
> options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and
> doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of wires
> and connectors.
> 
> I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector
> with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a
> new chassis connector.
> 
> Ain't radio fun?   :)
> 

Grant NQ5T
K3 #2091, KX3 #8342



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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[rich hurd WC3T]

Okay, so I took the plunge and disconnected the KX3 to take with me on
vacation.   Hooking it back up proved to be a tad problematic - SWRs of
25:1 and no signals from any bands, anywhere.  I'm now working through what
options I have, starting with checking female connector deformation and
doing what I can to examine oxidation, and general quarrantining of wires
and connectors.

I also wrote to Elecraft to get a quote for a replacement BNC connector
with the LPF installed - worst case is I'll just start over again with a
new chassis connector.

Ain't radio fun?   :)

On Mon, Feb 19, 2018 at 11:54 AM, rich hurd WC3T  wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I had an oddity with hooking an antenna to the BNC connector on my KX3
> that happened enough times to be chalked up to something other than random
> chance.Looking for opinions on whether my solution aligned to your
> experience(s).
>
> I have a complete station - a KX3, a PX3, and a KXPA100.   The KXPA100 is
> connected via a Cables On Demand connector with a PL259 on one end and a
> BNC connector on the other end.  All other interface cables are Elecraft
> standard.
>
> This is NOT the first BNC connector that I've used.  Prior to this last
> acquisition I had a couple of other BNC to PL259 jumpers that I was using,
> and the usual smattering of connectors and adapters in the junque box.
>
> No matter which one I used, If I removed the BNC connector from the rig
> (maybe to go portable, for example, or the last time it was because I
> installed Eneloop Pro batteries to the internal battery holders) I would
> put everything back together, and then would have severe - almost
> debilitating - signal attenuation when I got the rig fired up.   If I
> twisted and spun the BNC connector on the jack, it would improve, and then
> get bad again more often than not.   It could take up to 20 minutes to get
> everything "dialed in" so that the signal was appearing again. God help me
> if I accidentally moved something after that.  And of course, while all
> this was happening the ATU was having fits, with 99:1 SWR readings and the
> amp was going offline; all kinds of weirdnesses.   After things calmed
> down. the ATU behaved itself, the amp stopped being pouty, and all was then
> good.
>
> Thankfully, now that I have the Cables On Demand product, things seem to
> have quieted down - although I still don't disconnect without provocation.
> :)   Though I'm desperately afraid of when I start to go mobile after the
> snow melts and the weather gets nice again.   :)Hope I can get my IC706
> fixed and back in service as my base station before that occurs.
>
> My question was going to be in desperation more than anything else if this
> last cable didn't work, but thankfully, that's been the only cable vendor
> that I trust for any of my specialized cables and they haven't failed me
> even with this one.
>
> Are BNC connectors that finicky?   Is it possible that I just had a bad
> batch of low quality jumpers?   I'm just wondering if anyone else has had
> excessive fiddling with their BNC connections.
>
> ---
> 72,
> Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
> PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information
> Officer for Scouting
> Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W)
> Grid: *FN20is*
>
>


-- 
72,
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
for Scouting
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
*FN20is*
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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[donovanf]

Hi Rich, 


Your problem is almost certainly caused by using obsolete 75 ohm 
BNC male connectors on your coaxial cables. 


During the 1960s, the easiest way to manufacture 75 ohm BNC 
connectors was to significantly reduce the center pin diameter from 
the 0.053 +/- 0.001 inch diameter specified by M IL - C - 39012. 
The problem is that the non-standard smaller pin does not fit properly 
into 50 ohm sockets or modern 75 ohm sockets using the standard 
0.053 inch center pin opening. 


Modern 75 ohm BNC connectors now use the standard 0.053 inch 
center pin diameter. Unfortunately some cheap import BNC connectors 
and inter-series adapters still use non-standard small diameter center 
pins. 


If you have any obsolete 75 ohm BNC connectors (male or female) 
its best to throw them in the trash before you accidentally introduce 
them into your station, causing unreliability exactly as you describe 
in your email. 


Some readers will insist that BNC connectors were never manufactured 
with small diameter pins, but I have a few that I keep on hand 
-- that I clearly marked as "do not use" -- just to prove the point. 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 





- Original Message -

From: "rich hurd WC3T"  
To: k...@yahoogroups.com, elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Monday, February 19, 2018 4:54:37 PM 
Subject: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3 

Hi, 

I had an oddity with hooking an antenna to the BNC connector on my KX3 that 
happened enough times to be chalked up to something other than random 
chance. Looking for opinions on whether my solution aligned to your 
experience(s). 

I have a complete station - a KX3, a PX3, and a KXPA100. The KXPA100 is 
connected via a Cables On Demand connector with a PL259 on one end and a 
BNC connector on the other end. All other interface cables are Elecraft 
standard. 

This is NOT the first BNC connector that I've used. Prior to this last 
acquisition I had a couple of other BNC to PL259 jumpers that I was using, 
and the usual smattering of connectors and adapters in the junque box. 

No matter which one I used, If I removed the BNC connector from the rig 
(maybe to go portable, for example, or the last time it was because I 
installed Eneloop Pro batteries to the internal battery holders) I would 
put everything back together, and then would have severe - almost 
debilitating - signal attenuation when I got the rig fired up. If I 
twisted and spun the BNC connector on the jack, it would improve, and then 
get bad again more often than not. It could take up to 20 minutes to get 
everything "dialed in" so that the signal was appearing again. God help me 
if I accidentally moved something after that. And of course, while all 
this was happening the ATU was having fits, with 99:1 SWR readings and the 
amp was going offline; all kinds of weirdnesses. After things calmed 
down. the ATU behaved itself, the amp stopped being pouty, and all was then 
good. 

Thankfully, now that I have the Cables On Demand product, things seem to 
have quieted down - although I still don't disconnect without provocation. 
:) Though I'm desperately afraid of when I start to go mobile after the 
snow melts and the weather gets nice again. :) Hope I can get my IC706 
fixed and back in service as my base station before that occurs. 

My question was going to be in desperation more than anything else if this 
last cable didn't work, but thankfully, that's been the only cable vendor 
that I trust for any of my specialized cables and they haven't failed me 
even with this one. 

Are BNC connectors that finicky? Is it possible that I just had a bad 
batch of low quality jumpers? I'm just wondering if anyone else has had 
excessive fiddling with their BNC connections. 

--- 
72, 
Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 
PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer 
for Scouting 
Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: 
*FN20is* 
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Re: [Elecraft] BNC connector oddity on KX3

[RICHARD Martin]

Sometimes the center pin of the male BNC will get pushed back into the
Teflon insulator.  Run your thumb nail over the end of the connector.  Your
nail should touch the end of the pin.

73's
Dick KN6AA

On Feb 19, 2018 08:55, "rich hurd WC3T"  wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I had an oddity with hooking an antenna to the BNC connector on my KX3 that
> happened enough times to be chalked up to something other than random
> chance.Looking for opinions on whether my solution aligned to your
> experience(s).
>
> I have a complete station - a KX3, a PX3, and a KXPA100.   The KXPA100 is
> connected via a Cables On Demand connector with a PL259 on one end and a
> BNC connector on the other end.  All other interface cables are Elecraft
> standard.
>
> This is NOT the first BNC connector that I've used.  Prior to this last
> acquisition I had a couple of other BNC to PL259 jumpers that I was using,
> and the usual smattering of connectors and adapters in the junque box.
>
> No matter which one I used, If I removed the BNC connector from the rig
> (maybe to go portable, for example, or the last time it was because I
> installed Eneloop Pro batteries to the internal battery holders) I would
> put everything back together, and then would have severe - almost
> debilitating - signal attenuation when I got the rig fired up.   If I
> twisted and spun the BNC connector on the jack, it would improve, and then
> get bad again more often than not.   It could take up to 20 minutes to get
> everything "dialed in" so that the signal was appearing again. God help me
> if I accidentally moved something after that.  And of course, while all
> this was happening the ATU was having fits, with 99:1 SWR readings and the
> amp was going offline; all kinds of weirdnesses.   After things calmed
> down. the ATU behaved itself, the amp stopped being pouty, and all was then
> good.
>
> Thankfully, now that I have the Cables On Demand product, things seem to
> have quieted down - although I still don't disconnect without provocation.
> :)   Though I'm desperately afraid of when I start to go mobile after the
> snow melts and the weather gets nice again.   :)Hope I can get my IC706
> fixed and back in service as my base station before that occurs.
>
> My question was going to be in desperation more than anything else if this
> last cable didn't work, but thankfully, that's been the only cable vendor
> that I trust for any of my specialized cables and they haven't failed me
> even with this one.
>
> Are BNC connectors that finicky?   Is it possible that I just had a bad
> batch of low quality jumpers?   I'm just wondering if anyone else has had
> excessive fiddling with their BNC connections.
>
> ---
> 72,
> Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737
> PA Army MARS, Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer
> for Scouting
> Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988  (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid:
> *FN20is*
> __
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to dick93...@gmail.com
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