[Elecraft] KPA500/Kat500 Cables - PL-259 Question

[Fred Smith]

The DXE PL-259's are indeed good connectors I use it with their 400MAX coax
and have ran up to 3kw into a dummy load using them no problems. I have used
LMR-400 for years and now use only DXE coax and mostly there connectors.

Fred/N0AZZ

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Bennett
Sent: Friday, November 08, 2013 4:56 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500/Kat500 Cables - PL-259 Question

The UPS guy is set to deliver my KAT500 and KPA500 later this afternoon. In
the mean time, I've been getting "stuff" ready for the blessed event. Some
of that stuff means preparing coax jumpers to run from the K3 to the KPA500
and from the KPA500 to the KAT500. From the KAT500 I may go to my 4:1 balun
directly to my doublet or through a 4-position coax switch - undecided
there. Anyway, many knowledgeable folks have stated, either on this
reflector or on their own web sites, that it's a good idea to stick with
known manufacturers of coax and connectors, such as Belden, Amphenol, The
Wireman, DXE, etc.

Well, I just got a bunch of PL-259 connectors from that last-mentioned
vendor and noticed that they had no brand name on them. Plus, the vendor's
web site doesn't say that they are "Amphenol" brand, but that they ARE
silver plated and teflon insulated. Comparing these connectors with some
other silver / teflon connectors in my parts drawer, I notice a difference
in the center conductor. On the DXE PL-259's, the center pin is 100%
surrounded with what apparently is the white teflon insulation. On the ones
in my bin, there is a small silver-looking "ring" around that center pin,
approximately 1 mm wide, and then teflon as the remainder of the insulation.
The only other difference between these two types of connectors is that the
DXE-supplied PL-259's have a much more coarse "finger grip" area than my
other ones.

So, the question is - with neither of them having any brand name on them,
should one feel comfortable using either of them? How can you tell if a
PL-259 is "crap", other than a lack of teflon insulation and silver plating?

Jim / W6JHB

Folsom, CA (anxiously waiting for Mr. UPS)
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