[ARC5] Collins stuff and RCA jacks

Tue May 14 13:48:40 EDT 2013

On 14 May 2013 at 17:28, mstangelo at comcast.net wrote:

> The bayonet is an effective captive yet a quick connect and disconnect connector.

...which still requires a twist/untwist to use...

> I still believe Collins choose the RCA connector because of price.

Well, I don't. 

For one thing, Collins had designed a slide-in/out quick-connect/disconnect mobile mounting 
system for the KWM-2/2A (and which was pretty much copied by Heathkit for the SB-
100/101/102 and HW-100/101) which REQUIRES the RCA-type of connector and would 
have been impossible with a BNC connector.

And this was used regularly when the KWM-2A was used in military service in Vietnam.

Collins designed the entire KWM-2/2A system as a complete unit.

If they had attempted to use the BNC, the action required would have been to first pull the 
unit forward, then reach around back and twist each connector free. Replacement would 
have also been seriously slowed down. And it would have required considerable extra slack 
in the connecting cables too.

Although I agree with you that the BNC connector is, even in my opinion, the best connector 
overall, in this particular case it would not have been a viable solution to that particular 
problem.

Beside, if the primary reason for Collins' choice of the RCA system was cost, why did they 
insist on ceramic insulated versions which cost, at the time, at least as much as BNC fittings?

Ken W7EKB