[Elecraft] Type "N" connectors

[Brian]

Hello all, 

Just my 2 cents.  I don't own any type N connectors personally, but I do
work on military aircraft and have never seen a UHF connector used.
Crimping is not allowed; soldering is the only option for everything. 

73
Brian
N1WNC



-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jack Smith
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 8:19 AM
To: Larry Phipps
Cc: w3fpr at arrl.net; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Type "N" connectors

I bought my tool and die sets from RF Parts http://www.rfparts.com/.

I have seen what seems to be  the same tool at about half  the price 
searching around on the internet a while ago, but I can't be sure if it 
is exactly the same.  RF Connection http://www.therfc.com/ also has an 
interchangable die tool that's more reasonablly priced, but again I 
can't be sure it's the same.

It looks the same, but it's hard to judge a tool without having it in 
your hands.  And Don is 100% right, a cheap tool is no bargain if it 
breaks or does not do the job right.

I would look for a ratcheting type tool, as crimping RG213/214 size 
cable requires a lot of pressure and the ratcheting feature helps. I 
don't think even a ratcheting tool will work for larger cables, such as 
LMR600, where you need a lot of force. I believe those use a hydraulic 
crimper.

I wound up with three die sets to cover the work I do.

Jack


Larry Phipps wrote:
> Thanks Jack. That begs the question for us lazy types... which 
> supplier is cheapest?
>
> 73,
> Larry N8LP
>
>
> 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. Some crimp connectors are 
>> double-crimp, i.e., both the center pin and shield are crimped and 
>> others have a solder-type center pin and crimp shield.
>>
>> It's important that the crimp connector be the correct one for the 
>> coax type and that you use the correct die size, of course. Some 
>> crimp tools have interchangeable die sets and others are made with a 
>> non-removable die.
>>
>> If you decide to buy a crimp tool, shop around, as there is at least 
>> a 2:1 price variation from supplier-to-supplier for what seems to be 
>> the same tool.
>>
>> Jack K8ZOA
>>
>>
>>
>> Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>> 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
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