[Elecraft] why mix rf connector types within the product line?

[Edward R Cole]

Concur on some of what Jim Brown said, but have ordered high quality 
cables from vendors that cater to commercial customers vs ham 
vendors.  For repeaters I used RG-223 cable with N-male connectors 
from reputable vendors.  Of course my employer paid.

I make almost all my cables as, I too, trust my own ability to chose 
good quality components and do quality installation.  I did make up 
RG-58 and RG-8/x cables with crimp connectors where they were in 
long-term installation.  For test cables or any that are subject to 
repeated movement my experience is the crimps eventually fail.  I 
still like them for the convenience (in certain circumstances).

At work I mainly used BNC or N connectors.  Also had TNC and mini-UHF 
on certain radios.  Very few industrial radios use 
SO-239/PL-259.  Mainly seen on marine radios (and CB/ham, of 
course).  Aircraft radios use BNC a lot.  TNC and sma are used quite 
a bit will cellular equipment.

At work I had the $500 Times Microwave crimper with multiple dies for 
different connectors.  At home I have a $99 copy that does a fine job 
on RG-58 and RG-8/x (or RG-6).  But I trust compression nut style 
connectors where I want absolute reliability.

I least like PL-259 as they are susceptible to shorting if overheated 
in assembly.  I use a ton of adapters, though one needs to be careful 
with brand as not all are good.  Amphenol PL-259 are what I use.

BNC is appropriate on the KX3 and other portable 
equipment.  Understandable that SO-239 are used for amplifiers, 
etc.  This topic is kind of no issue to me?  If you were dealing with 
50 contact connectors I might agree.

73, Ed - KL7UW