[Elecraft] Proper installation of PL 259's

[Jim Brown]

On 11/12/2013 8:42 AM, kd7gc wrote:
> They are very expensive, some in excess of $100 each, but they have very low loss, and they are sealed well against WX.  When I order baluns or switches, I always specify that they must be made with 7/16 DINs, and I have never been disappointed with their performance.

I'm trying to understand, Alan, so could you please. define 
"performance," and please tell us in what application, at what 
frequency, and how you actually KNOW their performance.

Unless you're using them in critical small signal applications at UHF, 
I'd call that a very poor allocation of financial resources.  I can 
think of many better ways to spend $100.  The loss through a quality 
PL259 or N connector is negligible in most real world applications, and 
there are simple and effective methods of waterproofing them.

BTW -- the nicest male N connectors I've found for RG8/213-sized cable 
are made by Andros Engineering, a machine shop owned by a ham.  They're 
a 2-piece connector, with both center and shield rigidly assembled to 
the same part to which you solder both center and shield, then screw the 
outer shell onto it. Very easy to do, and zero possibility of shield 
migration.

73, Jim K9YC