[Elecraft] Type "N" connectors

[Don Wilhelm]

John,

I too have come to the conclusion that working with BNC and N connectors 
is actually a lot easier than UHF types.

But I continually hear from hams that look at the K2 and point to the 
BNC connector on the QRP unit then comment "THAT would HAVE to be 
changed to a UHF type - that is all I use".

Somehow there seems to be a prevalent opinion that BNC and N connectors 
are harder to assemble than UHF, but I find exactly the opposite to be 
true.  While it IS easy to assemble a UHF connector improperly and have 
it 'work' (after a fashion), improperly assembled BNC/N/TNC/C connectors 
usually won't work at all.  In the past, I subscribed to the 'UHF is 
easier' camp until I discovered that my only failing with BNC and N 
connectors was that I did not pay enough attention to the coax stripping 
length instructions.

I have finally invested in a set of ratchet crimpers so I can use crimp 
style connectors - that makes the BNC/N/TNC/C connectors MUCH easier to 
assemble than the UHF type - but one must still be careful about cutting 
the coax correctly.

73,
Don W3FPR

John GM4SLV wrote:

> <hobby horse>
> 
> But in terms of being a PITA to put the plugs on correctly, and mostly
> these days they seem made of soft cheese, I'd have a /real/ RF
> connector over a "UHF" one any day.
> 
> Proper N/BNC/TNC/C types, with pressure sleave and "top hat" ferrule for
> under the braid are a joy to fit, requiring a knife, a pair of small
> sidecutters, a _small_ soldering iron for the centre pin only and a
> couple of small spanners to do up the clamp nut. No messing about with
> soldering guns, blow torches or whatever people use to try and make a
> decent fist of soldering the braid (or usually just relying on pressure
> and the mstical force of gravity to hold the braid in contact with the
> shell of the plug).
> 
> 
> I agree that nobody is going to notice a performance problem with
> "UHF" connectors at HF but they just feel wrong to me...
> 
> I didn't even know Elecraft used 259s on some of their products (only
> having a barefoot K2 and a K1) and it kinda surprises me. They use BNCs
> on the rigs...why not continue that to the PA? Even a BNC is adequate
> for the power levels involved and anyone with a K2 must be happy with
> working with BNCs already....
> 
> </hobby horse>
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> John GM4SLV