[Elecraft] BNC connectors for RG-8X Coax

[Dennis Griffin]

Hi Fred et al,

Thanks for mentioning that, for those that may not be aware. My interest in BNC connectors, back when I researched them, was primarily for convenience and inter-connectivity when operating QRP with the likes of an FT-817 or KX3, as well as older HT's with BNC duckie connectors. I just felt that various BNC based adapters would be handy to have in a go bag, especially when use of Buddipole products was a possibility. I bought several LMR-200 based connectors, coax stripper & a good interchangeable die crimper so as to be able to make up jumpers and adapters as a need arose. It is highly unlikely that I would ever deploy such items if much over 10W of RF output would be used.

Also, since they will handle 500V, and since a lot of OM's bad mouth Anderson Power Poles, I though they would be good for some 12VDC nominal power connectors also. And if that statement raised your hackles, it's almost Friday, so I'm feeling a bit silly and wanted to see if I could get a rise out of the audience, hi. FWIW, I'm a heavy user of APP's, and am fond of them. The fact that they can separate with moderate force has probably saved me from damaging something when I've jumped off of a motorcycle or bicycle, while supporting a PS event, forgetting that I was tethered by a cable joined with APP's.

73 de Dennis KD7CAC
Scottsdale, AZ


On Oct 9, 2014, at 10:35 AM, Fred Townsend <fptownsend at earthlink.net> wrote:

> There is good reason why power ratings are not stated. Ratings vary by frequency and particularly by VSWR. Using a tuner may improve the load seen by the rig but will also increase losses on the antenna side of the tuner.  Skin effect means only the outer 1% of the conductor is passing current. I would think twice about running more than 100 watts at HF or 50 watts at VHF and above through a BNC connector, never mind the coax. 
> 
> 73, Fred, AE6QL
> 
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Walter Underwood <wunder at wunderwood.org>
>> Sent: Oct 9, 2014 8:50 AM
>> To: "elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] BNC connectors for RG-8X Coax
>> 
>> BNC power handling is similar to UHF connectors. BNC connectors are rated for 500V, same as UHF connectors. Amphenol does not specify contact resistance for UHF connectors. The full BNC specs are here:
>> 
>> http://www.amphenolrf.com/products/CatalogPages/BNC.pdf
>> 
>> wunder
>> K6WRU
>> CM87wj
>> http://observer.wunderwood.org/
>> 
>> On Oct 9, 2014, at 8:34 AM, WILLIS COOKE via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>> 
>>> I don't think you will have trouble with legal power.  I regularly run 1 KW through RG8X without problems.  I did have some trouble running over about 400 watts with a Carolina Windom running RG8X but I don't know what was shorting, the coax or the chokes or balun.  RG8X is the same outer diameter as RG-79 so the RG-79 BNC will fit.  The impedance bump is so short that you will not notice it at 6 meters or below.  If you are trying to run microwave, you might have trouble buy the pin and socket are the same for the RG-58 and RG-59 connectors. The insulation thickness is what makes RG-8X have a higher rating than RG-58.
>>> 
>>> Willis 'Cookie' Cooke, TDXS DX Chairman
>>> K5EWJ & Trustee N5BPS, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2014 8:01 AM, David Cole <dave at nk7z.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi,
>>> Looking at the tech spec sheet I don't see a power rating?