[NLRS] LMR400 and N connectors

[John P. Toscano]

David Palm (W9HQ) wrote:
> My real question concerns N connectors.  I was scrambling to get two new
> feedlines ready yesterday afternoon and, to my dismay, the pins on some
> surplus N connectors that I had laying around are too small for the center
> conductor of the LMR400.  And I can't really just file it down a bit since
> it's copper-coated aluminum and it can't be soldered once it's been reduced
> in size.  So, am I correct that I will need to buy special Ns for the
> LMR400?
> 
> On that same note, I was planning on just going with the solder-pin style.
> But I have heard a number of people advocate strongly for the crimp-style
> connectors.  I'd rather avoid the cost of the crimping tool, but I wonder if
> anybody has some feedback on that question.

Yes, a standard connector for RG-8 does not fit properly. The proper 
connectors are typically described as compatible with Belden 9913, and 
these work FB with LMR400.

Personally, I prefer the "clamp" style of connector. The center pin is 
still soldered, but the shield is clamped into place using a pair of 
open-ended wrenches, one on the body of the connector, and one on the 
clamp fitting. So, no special crimping tools are needed, and I am more 
confident about the waterproofing of this style of connector to any of 
the others (crimp style or the PL-259-like solder style). It takes a 
little care to feather out the braid and trim the braid correctly before 
clamping it all together, but I have some of these N connectors that are 
going strong in an outdoor location the entire time since I was licensed 
in 1996.

W0JT