[222mhz] Cost/performance...WX Proofing Connectors, CATV Line Connectors

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer]

Interesting to use Scotch 70.

I figure the 1/4 wave air coax transformers leave a place for moisture
just like 9913 and I've found my radios and antennas aren't that close
to 50 ohms. I've tried a tuner in the shack but it had not effect on
signal reports or detecting very weak signals.

I made my connector starting with a brass plumbing adapter that had a
1/2 or 3/4" female pipe thread at one end and a hole small enough that i
could bore it out to fit a type N connector body at the other end. Then
I took a brass hex reducing bushing and bored its inside to fit the
coax. I split the threaded part into 6 pieces holding them together with
the hex end. I used a hacksaw for that. I was not careful on the boring
job to make it smooth, rough I figure to be better. Then I apply
No-Al-Ox or some competitive brand and solder my center conductor
adapter sleeves turned from a brass rod or soldered up from short pieces
of hobby shop brass tubing. After taping up good, I've not checked any
of the connectors, but I still work the same or greater distances
without enhancements that I did a decade ago using those feedlines on
432 but not 1296 (I blame that on the rig because I demoted that 3/4
hardline to 222 and worked good distances this year). There may be some
visible corrosion, if I peeled back the tape.

One of the problems of cable systems is leakage at connectors so their
scheme may not be absolutely perfect.

Sometimes I've used a CATV cable to junction box connector as part of my
adapter. Seems the thread for the box is the same as the thread of the
cable clamp in some type N connectors.

I don't like to use UHF connectors outside and generally do not. The
braid connection depends too much on how tight the ring is tightened and
works loose too easily.

73, Jerry, K0CQ
-- 
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer.
Reproduction by permission only.