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Re: [TowerTalk] Clamp Type UHF/PL-259 Connector (Epilogue)

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Clamp Type UHF/PL-259 Connector (Epilogue)
From: "Paul Christensen" <w9ac@arrl.net>
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:26:57 -0500
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Joe,

You may want to order one or two at first and determine if it is a one-step 
prep process (if important to you) that includes a flanged ferrule like the 
Multicomp connector.  The flanged ferrule is what separates the connector 
from the others like it.  Or, is the braid flared and/or soldered onto a 
retaining ring like the RF Industries UHF clamp product?  That product is 
assembled like the male "N" where the braid is flared onto a ring and does 
not have the same one-step prep and gripping benefit as the Multicomp.

Paul, W9AC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Giacobello, K2XX" <k2xx@swva.net>
To: <n4zr@contesting.com>
Cc: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 5:06 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Clamp Type UHF/PL-259 Connector (Epilogue)


>  Pete, I did a search on Ebay and found another supplier of what
> appears to be the same connector.  This supplier is located in Shanghai
> rather than Hong Kong.  The price is $2.79 per connector and $0.99 each
> for shipping.  So the effective price per connector is $3.78.  It still
> seems to be a good deal if they work as well and easily as you describe.
>
> The item number is 270634166510.
>
> 73, Joe
> K2XX.
>
> On 2/11/2011 2:48 PM, Pete Smith wrote:
>> Coincidentally, yesterday I received a couple of clamp-type PL-259s that
>> I ordered from a Chinese vendor on E-Bay -- the two connectors,
>> including air mail, totalled only US$6.  They are not quite the same -
>> the shells are nickelpl , the inner conductor is gold flashed, and the
>> innards are in several different pieces - see
>> <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270680278483>.  The
>> center conductor and insulator are not captive, as it appears Paul's are
>> - this allows full assembly and test before soldering.
>>
>> I just put one together with minimal wrench work, and then took it
>> apart.  The clamping appears very good both electrically and from the
>> standpoint of water-proofing.
>>
>> I think I'm in love.  Now if only they have a size for RG-58/8X.
>>
>> 73, Pete N4ZR
>>
>> The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at 
>> www.conteststations.com
>> The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at 
>> reversebeacon.blogspot.com,
>> spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000
>>
>>
>>
>> On 2/11/2011 1:12 PM, Paul Christensen wrote:
>>> A few weeks ago, Ian, GM3SEK suggested looking into a clamp-type 
>>> UHF/PL-259
>>> connector (not crimp) that offered easy assembly and a weather-resistant
>>> backing for outdoor installations.  The only soldering required is for 
>>> the
>>> inner conductor.
>>>
>>> I ordered a dozen connectors through Newark Electronics and the shipment
>>> arrived today.  I had a RG-214 jumper that needed shortening so I tried 
>>> the
>>> new connectors this morning.
>>>
>>> http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=94M6035
>>>
>>> These connectors are specific to the larger RG-213/214 and LMR400 class 
>>> of
>>> cables.  However Multicomp offers a smaller clamp-style connector for 
>>> RG-58.
>>>
>>> Cable prep for the Multicomp clamp UHF connector could hardly be easier.
>>> When Ian said it was a one cut prep with no special tools required, he 
>>> meant
>>> it.  I used a ChannelLock cable cutter (seen on the bench) but a utility
>>> knife could also be used to make the single cut.  I simply took the 
>>> cable
>>> cutter to rotate a single cut at one time through the jacket, braid,
>>> dielectric, and stopped at the inner conductor.  The jacket, braid, and
>>> dielectric are spun off in one twist and discarded.  Next, a flanged
>>> metallic and non-metallic bushing are inserted onto the end of the 
>>> cable.
>>> The result looks like this:
>>>
>>> http://72.52.250.47/images/PL-259-1.jpg
>>>
>>> You can see I first installed the connector on a section of discarded 
>>> LMR400
>>> for a trial.  Notice the end clamp and red non-metallic bushing on the
>>> cable.  The connector inner pin must be milled out just a bit to 
>>> accommodate
>>> the LMR400's solid inner conductor.  I inserted a 7/64 drill bit and 
>>> twisted
>>> until the opening widened.  This step is not required with the RG cables 
>>> and
>>> may not be necessary with other LMR400 variants like UF.
>>>
>>> After completing the connector, I wanted to disassemble it to determine
>>> difficulty.  It was a super-easy to remove just by re-heating the inner
>>> conductor and unscrewing the end clamp.  Next, I re-used the same 
>>> connector
>>> on my RG-214 jumper.  Here's the end result:
>>>
>>> http://72.52.250.47/images/PL-259-2.jpg
>>>
>>> The end clamp screws into the body using two adjustable open-ended
>>> wrenches -- similar to installing an "N" type connector.  The cable at 
>>> the
>>> clamp end is fully sealed and the connector body absolutely does not 
>>> rotate.
>>>
>>> A few comments:
>>>
>>> 1) This connector is weather-resistant between the nut and connector 
>>> body.
>>> Unlike an "N" type, the threaded shell does not form a seal onto the 
>>> mating
>>> SO-239.  That's primarily a limitation of the 'teeth' design used on the
>>> SO-239.
>>>
>>> 2) Unlike a soldered UHF connector, one can visually inspect the work 
>>> before
>>> inserting the cable into body of the connector until satisfied that the 
>>> prep
>>> is good before soldering the inner conductor.  Even then, removal only
>>> requires re-heating the inner conductor.  Try that with a soldered 
>>> PL-259 on
>>> RG-213/LMR400 cable.   Yes, I know there are those who claim they can
>>> visually inspect and remove a soldered PL-259 by pounding the 
>>> connector's
>>> dielectric out of the shell with a nut driver.  You decide whether 
>>> that's
>>> the proper use of the connector and right tool for the job;
>>>
>>> 3) These connectors are not inexpensive but I will now use them for 
>>> outdoor
>>> use, while continuing to use crimp connectors indoors.  However, since 
>>> these
>>> connectors are easily re-used, the initial cost may be offset by 
>>> economizing
>>> on re-use in some instances rather than the purchase of new UHF 
>>> connectors.
>>>
>>> Paul, W9AC
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> .
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>>
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