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Re: [Amps] SHV connectors great, but where to find coax?

To: jim.thom@telus.net, amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] SHV connectors great, but where to find coax?
From: TexasRF@aol.com
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:03:45 EDT
List-post: <amps@contesting.com">mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Hi Jim, I could not find any ratings for the P{asternak connectors. When I  
received them, I was a bit dubious of them handling enough voltage. 
 
The dielectric of the center conductor of the coax has to be left about a  
quarter inch or so longer than a typical connector and it fits down into the 
 connector to provide the needed leakage path. I installed one connector on 
the  RG213/U and tested it for breakdown. I found none at 10 KV so stopped 
and used  the connectors.
 
That is why I was wondering if some silicone grease globbed onto the center 
 pin/dielectric might be a good idea before assembly.
 
I don't know about other sources for RG213/U SHV connectors so happy  
hunting.
 
The chassis mount connectors I used are panel mount with a long insulator  
and solder cup for the wiring. I don't know the breakdown rating but the  
insulator is about an inch long and appears to be adequate for a lot of  
voltage.
 
At first I used some PTFE insulated stranded wire with the chassis  
connector. That danged wire is the most fragile stuff I have ever encountered,  
breaking at the soldered joint a couple of times in a short period. I ended up  
throwing it away and stripped the center conductor out of some 8X coax 
instead.  I have no idea how safe the stuff is to use this way but so far no 
issues have  arisen and it does not break.
 
To reduce transmit power loss, the twt amplifier is located outside at the  
feed support structure for my homebrew 6.9m dish. There is a weather cover 
to  protect the amplifier, transverter, preamp, feed and preamp from rain. 
The power  supply is located in the shack and a pair of RG213/U coax cables 
carry the  cathode and collector voltages to the amplifier. These two cables 
and nine  others are all bundled together to form a rotator loop. This loop 
has to handle  a full 360 degree azimuth rotation as well as a 90 degree 
elevation  travel.
 
No, I did not use Belden RG213/u for this. I found the Texcom brand coax  
and control cables sold at Texas Towers to be totally adequate for the job.  
Several of the other cables are various sized Times Microwave LMR Ultraflex  
cables.
 
With 125 watts output power at 5760 MHz, the moon echoes peak about 25 dB  
above the audible noise floor and SSB echoes sound like 5 by 7 signals on  
20m!
 
I believe there are now four USA stations operating EME on this band.  We 
sure could use some company!
 
73,
Gerald K5GW
 
 
In a message dated 9/11/2010 9:26:20 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
jim.thom@telus.net writes:

Date:  Sat, 11 Sep 2010 08:35:48 EDT
From: TexasRF@aol.com
Subject: Re: [Amps]  SHV connectors great, but where to find coax?

Dave and all, the last  SHV connectors I purchased were from Pasterrnak, 
the 
high priced  specialist folks.

They have SHV cable and mating chassis connectors for  RG213/U coax. II  
wanted the security of extra voltage handling  because of around 10 KV used 
in a 
twt power supply.

The coax  connectors were about $25 and the chassis connectors were about   
$15.

They worked out really well and I will never use any other  type of hv  
connector on future projects.

A three inch length  of heat shrink was installed on the cable ends for  
reinforcement and  added mechanical security for the coax shields. This is 
a  
cheap and  effective way to add protection in a critical for safety   
location.

I have wondered if adding a dab of silicone grease to the  center pin to  
coax dielectric area before connector assembly might  be a good idea to 
eliminate  air gaps and moisture traps. Any  opinions on that?

73,
Gerald K5GW

##  I looked up SHV on  wikipedia... and it sez  a SHV is only good for 
3500 v rms ... so add  41% = 5 kv dc.   They also say there  are higher  
voltage.   I looked and couldn't find anything from  anybody...that was more
than 5 kv.    This version you found from  pasternack.... other than it 
takes
213u size coax... does the mating female  chassis  connector + 213-U size
male..rated for 10kv ??   

##  one could also probably use use RG-393  teflon  coax.   It's a tiny bit
smaller than 213.    [.390"  vs  .405"]   RG-393 is solid teflon 
dielectric...  and is
probably overkill... but I have loads of it. 

##  I just  may have finally found a HV connector I like... provided it 
handles
8  kvdc..safely.   I gave up on Aldens, Millens etc.  I then just  
hardwired the B+
at both ends..with sta-kon crimp connectors [also  soldered]... and machine 
screws.
Takes awhile to get apart though.  

##  Is pasternack the only ones who carry  RG-213 size   SHV male 
connectors ? 
Is the chassis female a regular  SHV chassis  connector... or a special  10 
KV
rated one ??   

Tnx........ Jim   VE7RF    

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