[Lowfer] LF Travail

[Rick Kunath]

Peter Barick wrote:
> Let's call it experience, but here's a good one. I use tv coax on the
> LF antennas out in the yard. The F connectors are cheap and convient
> to use. But here's a risk. I made a new balun, placing it in a small
> box with a F-type female connector outside the house. Hooked up the
> line and went in to test it. Ah, the rx was quiet, seemed I had
> eliminated any and all noise usually present. But that included all
> signals too. I retraced my steps and determined I had the proper line
> connected and all. Turned out that the center conductor of the type-F
> conn. got pushed out the back thus twarting contact. Back to the
> bench for adjustments.

That should have been impossible if the F connector was properly 
crimped. This would be the case for the old style crimp, or the new 
style (and better) snap crimp connectors.

This was solid center conductor cable right? Stranded won't work 
acceptably with F connectors. Bonded foil shield under 98% stranded 
shield cable?

Was this a standard 1/4-inch F connector coaxial cable prep and then 
into the proper F connector (there are various sizes depending on the 
coax used) with a properly sized crimper?

In general, one should have the center conductor protrusion as per the 
standard, generally 1/16 inch or so, and do a pull test on the connector 
to make sure it is crimped snugly.

Rick Kunath