[Elecraft] SO-239 Connector Selection

[Tom W8JI]

Makes sense on the teflon insulator...  I assume that that only makes
the difference when doing higher power? >>>

It mostly makes a difference in soldering. The measured voltage breakdown of 
a standard Amphenol SO-239 is well over 5000 volts peak. The arc point is 
normally the air gap between the end of the female and the connector shell 
over the face of the dielectric, provided the pin soldering is smooth and 
without points or accidental closure of the air gap at the pin area with 
sloppy wiring or soldering.

I normally high-pot my PL259 installations to 5000 volts or higher as a 
cable test to check for stray shield strands or other problems. SO-239's 
test just as high or higher, and all of my 1:1 baluns are tested that way 
before installation and they use UHF females.

Other then the fact some plastics in cheap connectors heat a bit at extreme 
voltage and high frequency, I can't imagine any need for Teflon other than 
soldering or reduced carbon tracking from lightning or arcs. I mainly use 
Teflon because I torch solder SO239's and 259's on my homebrew hardline 
connectors, and it is better with lightning arcs or 1500 watts into open 
terminated cables when a switch is wrong.

For your filter application, you could use anything.

73 Tom