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[AMPS] coax connector ratings

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: [AMPS] coax connector ratings
From: 2@vc.net (2)
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2001 05:54:09 -0700
>
>on 9/28/01 3:45 AM, Steve Thompson at g8gsq@qsl.net wrote:
>
>> The Suhner catalogue gives a graph.
>> 
>> 20MHz  5000W
>> 50MHz  3200
>> 200MHz  1600
>> 1000MHz  750
>> 10000MHz 250
>
>Yikes!  750 Watts into an N at 1 GHz.  That's pushing it.  In the cellular
>industry the typical max power that is usually talked about for N connectors
>is 500 Watts at 900 MHz.  Of course, the H&S figure is into a good load.
>
>Of course the original question was the ratings at HF.  At amateur power
>levels, there is absolutely zero problems with either the N or the UHF. 

//  Water vapour getting into coax fittings is not a problem?

> I would believe the UHF would handle more power because of the large diameter
>center pin (of course the quality of UHF connectors does vary and I would
>assume a UHF with a phenolic dielectric to handle much less power than a UHF
>with a Teflon dielectric).
>
>IMHO, there is really not much advantage to using N connectors at HF.  

...  provided you don't receive any rain or fog.   
Type-C connectors have more current carrying ability and more voltage 
withstanding ability than Type-N. Type-C are moisture proof, and bayonet 
mount.  


>The performance improvement in terms of VSWR and S21 are so minimal as to be
>negligible.  N connectors are more expensive and harder to assemble.  They
>do have the advantage of being more waterproof than UHF connectors in
>outdoor environments but other than that a UHF is really a better connector.
>I would recommend N connectors at 2 meters and above but even at 2m, the UHF
>is still pretty good.  But as the above chart shows, above 200 MHz, legal
>limit ham amps become a problem for N connectors.
>
>A lot of people think that because of their size that N's are inherently
>high power connectors.  Well, in reality the male/female interface of an N
>is really identical to that of a BNC connector.  Yep, center contacts are
>the same size.  The difference is in the outer conductor and contacts.  If
>you doubt be try mating a male N to a female BNC.  You can do it and the fit
>is pretty good.  The geometry of the N's do make their voltage breakdown a
>bit higher than the BNC but not that much.
>
//  The pin spacing in an  N  and a BNC are identical.  Both breakdown at 
c. 4000v on my hi-pot tester.  

>If you really want high power handling, go with a 7/16 DIN.  Overkill at HF
>for sure though!

//  For tetrodes with handles on the 20m - 10m HF bands, quite probably 
not.  

cheers, Jon

-  R. L. Measures, 805.386.3734, AG6K, www.vcnet.com/measures.  
end


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