[Elecraft] Reliable PL-259 UHF connector engagement

[donovanf at erols.com]

Hi Bill, 


Both N and BNC connectors have their own unique issues... 


BNC connectors have rather poor shielding performance caused by 
imperfect axial alignment and limited engagement pressure, both 
of which are easily demonstrated by a VNA, especially above 20 MHz. 


Both BNC and N connectors suffer from small center pin size and 
weak center pin engagement pressure, both of which affect reliability 
and power handling capability. 


Don't even consider installing the long obsolete multi-part BNC 
and N connectors with loose center pins requiring precise placement 
and axial orientation. Very many of these obsolete connectors are improperly 
installed by both hams and professionals. Modern BNC and N connectors 
with captive center pins are much more reliable and less subject to 
installation errors, although for some hams no job is so simple that 
it cannot be done wrong. 


73 
Frank 
W3LPL 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Bill Frantz" <frantz at pwpconsult.com> 
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 9:05:22 PM 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reliable PL-259 UHF connector engagement 

As someone who is currently switching bands by going outside and 
replugging PL259s, I fully agree that other connectors, e.g. BNC 
would be nicer. 

I have gotten in the habit of skipping pulling out my LeatherMan 
and instead joining the connection to the point where I can feel 
the teeth engaging and there is still some slop in the 
connection. I then gently work the two connectors together, 
trying to move them back and fourth until there is no slop and 
the connection is solid. It does seem to work. 

73 Bill AE6JV 

On 7/29/20 at 2:21 PM, wunder at wunderwood.org (Walter Underwood) wrote: 

>>On Jul 29, 2020, at 9:49 AM, donovanf at erols.com wrote: 
>> 
>>Unlike N and BNC connectors, a PL-259 is dependent on proper 
>>engagement of its outer shell and interconnecting teeth to the 
>>mating SO-239 socket. 
> 
>That is exactly why I consider UHF connectors to be a poor 
>design. I use connectors which are designed to connect without 
>special effort. 
>Seriously, that is the main point of a connector, to connect. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Bill Frantz |The nice thing about standards| Periwinkle 
(408)348-7900 |is there are so many to choose| 150 
Rivermead Rd #235 
www.pwpconsult.com |from. - Andrew Tanenbaum | 
Peterborough, NH 03458 

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