[Elecraft] Type "N" connectors

[John GM4SLV]

On Sat, 21 Apr 2007 07:42:03 -0500
Sam Morgan <ka5oai at jass-ltd.org> wrote:

> Jack Smith wrote:
> > I would add  that once you have a good crimp tool, such as the 
> > ratcheting type Don mentions, one can install crimp UHF connectors
> > as well.
> > 
> > I switched to crimp-type connectors quite a while ago and find them 
> > superior to solder-type connectors. 
> >
> snip
> 
> uh pardon my ignorance...
> 
> since when is a compression styled contact point
> *electrically*
> superior to a soldered one?
> at any frequency?


I'm pleasantly surprised that so many people are joining the "N type is
better than UHF" camp, but like Sam I still think crimp connections
aren't the way to go.

Apart from the cost of decent tools I find crimp connectors that are put
to any sort of regular handling tend to fail earlier. If the cable is
permanently installed and laced into a bay for example then they last
quite well, but I still prefer to solder my centre pins and rely on the
large surface area and clamping pressure of a traditional plug for
making the braid/shell connection. I've particularly never been happy
crimping N types onto larger cables (eg RG213), although there are a few
cables like that in our local UHF TV transmitters that I've installed.
The first sign of failure and they'll be replace with proper ones!

I've put hundreds of N/BNC/TNC/SMA/SMB/SMC connectors on at work and it
galls me to have to use PL259s at home, so as far as I can I avoid.
The pressure clamp variety is the only style of 259 I'll work with, and
if I can't get hold of one then I use a 295 to N or BNC adaptor and a
properly terminated cable. Any (tiny) loss in the adaptor is more than
offset by the satisfaction of knowing the connector/cable termination
is right.

Cheers,

John GM4SLV