[Milsurplus] Cable Connectors

[Mike Hanz]

There were at least three of the 'tail end charlies' used with the 
Breeze E-1002-*-* series connectors - the two in the link I provided in 
my previous note (one produced by ARC), and the coupling ferrule that 
Robert mentioned below.  I have a box of these coupling ferrules in 
varying sizes...they are standard AN-3050-(*) flex conduit flanges 
designed to be used with the vinyl or braided shield covered aluminum BX 
of the period, and to install on the BX requires either swaging with a 
special tool, multiple center punching against a mandrel (messy looking 
but works), or rolling with a modified tubing cutter having "dull" 
rollers. 

There is no recourse to the three step process for connecting the radio 
set to the cable -
1) loosen coupling ring to allow the cable to remain free of the connector,
2) rotate connector shell until terminals are seated into the chassis 
connector, and
3) tighten the coupling ring. 
It's much more difficult at times than it reads here because there is no 
keyway to ensure easy engagement of the pins, and in some aircraft it 
will strongly remind you of the delights of installing a radio under the 
dash of your car....heh.

It is interesting to note that even the 57 page comprehensive wartime 
Philco Service manual on "Cable Fabrication" conveniently omits the 
bloody things... :-P

My own theory is that it was a Plessey design that was swapped when 
Plessey acquired the licenses to make the Breeze product line in 
1936...(just kidding of course, but the WWII British connectors do have 
some slight philosophical differences....)

73,
Mike

WA5CAB at cs.com wrote:
> Yep, that's probably why I blocked them out last night, too.  Painful 
> memories.  :-)
>
> Referring also to Jack's comment on Breeze, I've never seen anything on the 
> why.  Maybe as with generators, if there are two ways to do something 
> someone will try both ways.  I rate the design as poor for a harsh application as 
> there is no way to clamp the wire or cable so that pulling on it does not 
> pull on the contacts.
>
> I don't think I have ever seen but about two examples of the flanged tube 
> that was intended to be attached to the rear of the cable plug body.  I have 
> several here with the nut to hold it on but no tube.  Then I have one where 
> the area around the wires is potted.  Cant't for the life of me figure out 
> how you would ever attach it to anything!  And I have some PL-108's that have 
> a right angle fitting on the back.  I guess that you had to leave the 
> fitting's coulpling nut loose until after you attached the connector to the set.