[Elecraft] Your opinion on antenna connectors wanted

[Gregg Lengling]

Let me add my 2 cents worth.  I spent over 20 years in the 2-way radio
field and operated 800 MHz repeaters and systems all over SE Wisconsin.
We went to crimp style connectors for all cable from RG8 type and down.
We always bought solid center conductor RG58 for mobile installs to
facilitate the N-Crimps we used.  Granted a good crimping tool with die
set will set you back almost $100.00 but then you've always got it and
the connectors are only a buck or 2 a piece.  The "N" connectors are 3
pieces.  The center pin, the body and the ferule.  Very easy to install
and always the same, never a worry about a bad connection.  

I personally probably did over 20,000 mobile installs in my life and
never had a connector problem.  We also used RG142B for all our
interconnecting cables on repeaters and combiners.  This is 58 sized
double shielded Teflon cable, and we used all crimp connectors on it
with no duplex noise and no reflected power.  We always swept the whole
system once complete so I know that this is the way to go.

We did a lot of government work for the military and they have rules
that don't allowed standard soldered connectors.  You must use crimps,
so I figure if it's good enough for the military it's good enough for
me.  I think that their reasoning is that you can replicate the
connection many times, whereas someone soldering a connector, never does
it same twice.


Once again just my 2 cents for.


Gregg R. Lengling, W9DHI, Retired
Administrator http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org
K2/100 S#3075
Politics is the art of appearing candid and completely open, while
concealing as much as possible.   -States: The Bene Gesserit View
 

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