[Elecraft] N fittings

[Rolf Moberg, OH6KXL]

Bill Coleman wrote:

> N connectors, while constant impedance, have their own problems. Biggest 
> of which is the disconnection of the center conductor when the coaxial 
> cable becomes very cold and shrinks.

In Finland N-connectors were used in mobile network antennas in towers 
for many years. Nowadays 7/16-connectors are taking their place. 
Temperatures in Finland during winter are sometimes very cold, even 
lower than -50C.

When coaxial cable is shrinking, it is coaxial cables fault. Reason is 
poor quality cable, not the connector.

> For the frequency range of the K2/100, there's no reason to move to N 
> connectors, unless you want to spend money.

I agree what comes to frequency range. I have measured UHF- or 
PL259-connector's return loss. They are very good in HF and lower VHF 
bands. In 430 MHz I wouldn't recommend PL259, even when using super high 
quality like Spinner.

N is ofter water tight. Can you find PL-259 which can be put into water 
for 24 hours? And get adequate return loss measurement results afterwards?

Rolf Moberg
oh6kxl