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Re: [TowerTalk] Selecting Coax connectors

To: towertalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Selecting Coax connectors
From: Steve Maki <lists@oakcom.org>
Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2016 07:00:57 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
In my earlier note about DIN connectors and stranded center conductor braided cables, I should have said they need a *separate* center pin - IOW, loose in the bag before installation. The center pin can be either crimp or solder. The important thing to realize is that one piece connectors (those with an installed captivated center pin right out of the box) are for solid center conductor cables. The stranded center conductors need a separately installed center pin. The reason being that if you have a center pin that has a small enough ID to accurately fit the center conductor, the chances of getting it in the pin without folding over a strand is not very good.

Also note that in commercial installations, especially cell sites, you'll never see a crimped connector of any kind, nor braided coax of any kind, except for a few applications like the site GPS antennas where PIM is not an issue.

-Steve K8LX

 9/6/2016 1:42 AM, Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:

As a "personal choice", my hands are no longer steady enough to prevent
getting solder on the outside of the center pin so I'm relegated to
using the crimp type although I'd not seen any for the DIN. I would add
that I can now hold the solder with my left hand if a lot of movement
isn't required.
I "would think" if the commercial guys are using crimp, it should be
reliable enough.

OTOH I think this is a good place for long time users to chime in with
their experiences.

On 9/5/2016 Monday 8:44 PM, Bob K6UJ wrote:
Roger,

Great overview on connectors !
One thing that I am wondering about is whether or not to get the
solder type
center pin on the DIN connectors.  I see them clamp or crimp style for
the outer shield and also
solder or non solder on the center pin.  I like the crimp style outer
and clamp is fine too, but not sure
if getting a non solder center pin is a concern.   Whats your view on
the center pin attachment ?
I remember discussions here on Tower Talk in the past about center pin
creep in type N connectors.
The DIN is a different animal though...........

Bob
K6UJ


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