[HCARC] LMR-400 and PL-259 fittings

[Kerry Sandstrom]

They make adaptors to go from Type N to UHF in all kinds of sex 
combinations.  A F-UHF to M-N is a UG-146/U while a M-UHF to F-N is a 
UG-83B/U.  If you buy them new they are expensive, if you find them at 
hamfests or surplus they should be less than $5 a piece.  I generally 
replaced the UHF connectors on my gear with N's.  The way sockets are 
mounted in commercial gear is not always good.  Quite often I've seen them 
riveted on.  I don't think that is as good as machine screws, lock washers 
and nuts.  Again, to each his own.

I don't know if Type N plugs are made for RG-8 mini or LMR400.  I've only 
looked for them for standard cables.  There are Type N plugs made for 
RG-59/U wich has the same external dimensions as RG-8 mini, however, the 
center conductors are different sizes and N stuff is constant impedance and 
comes in 50 and 75 Ohm sizes which do not mate with each other.  Some of the 
RG-59/U connectors are 50 Ohm I believe, but there are also 75 Ohm 
connectors.

Kerry