On Sat, 21 Apr 2007 07:42:03 -0500 Sam Morgan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Jack Smith wrote: > > I would add that once you have a good crimp tool, such as the > > ratcheting type Don mentions, one can install crimp UHF connectors > > as well. > > > > I switched to crimp-type connectors quite a while ago and find them > > superior to solder-type connectors. > > > snip > > uh pardon my ignorance... > > since when is a compression styled contact point > *electrically* > superior to a soldered one? > at any frequency? I'm pleasantly surprised that so many people are joining the "N type is better than UHF" camp, but like Sam I still think crimp connections aren't the way to go. Apart from the cost of decent tools I find crimp connectors that are put to any sort of regular handling tend to fail earlier. If the cable is permanently installed and laced into a bay for example then they last quite well, but I still prefer to solder my centre pins and rely on the large surface area and clamping pressure of a traditional plug for making the braid/shell connection. I've particularly never been happy crimping N types onto larger cables (eg RG213), although there are a few cables like that in our local UHF TV transmitters that I've installed. The first sign of failure and they'll be replace with proper ones! I've put hundreds of N/BNC/TNC/SMA/SMB/SMC connectors on at work and it galls me to have to use PL259s at home, so as far as I can I avoid. The pressure clamp variety is the only style of 259 I'll work with, and if I can't get hold of one then I use a 295 to N or BNC adaptor and a properly terminated cable. Any (tiny) loss in the adaptor is more than offset by the satisfaction of knowing the connector/cable termination is right. Cheers, John GM4SLV _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
