I have a clear recollection of being told, years ago, that the ORIGINAL
design use model for the UHF connector series (PL-259/SO-239) was for
connecting high DC supply voltages between transmitter modules. This was
before Google, however., so I decided to do some checking.
Turns out there is absolutely no evidence that this tale has any truth to it
whatever. I could find no indication on any of a dozen different pages in
favor of this historical assertion. This is not to say it has never been
done before, mind you -- just that this application was not part of its
original design concept.
Here is a very good page, BTW, that covers the history and characdteristics,
in simple language and photos, of most of the RF connector series in use
today.
http://ecee.colorado.edu/~kuester/Coax/connchart.htm
Bill W5WVO
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Edward Swynar" <gswynar@durham.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 7:24 AM
To: "Dr. David Kirkby" <david.kirkby@onetel.net>; <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] which HV connector to use?]
> On 21st January, Dave wrote:
>
> "...With all due respect, using SO239/PL259 seems about the silliest
> suggestion I have ever heard. I'm not saying the insulation may be
> insufficient on some models made in the USA when they are mated, but the
> chance of an accident must be considerably higher with those sort of
> connectors than just about anything else in a ham shack. They are not
> designed for that sort of use..."
>
> *********************************
>
> But it WORKS, Dave---and I hasten to add that's the sole reason that I
> elected to employ them in this way: other methods resulted in ceaseless
> arcing/sparking/blowing of fuses...until one day, way-back-when, I
> stumbled
> upon the conservative DC voltage carrying abilities of large coax &
> matching
> UHF connectors, relative to my application. I was sold.
>
> As for the accident factor, yes, that potential ALWAYS exists in Amateur
> radio---and having said that, are you one of those who condones policies
> apparently espoused by the ARRL anymore, by rarely (if ever) featuring QST
> technical articles whose voltage requirements might exceed 12.6 VDC...?!
>
> IMHO, one has to keep one's wits about one's self at ALL times in Ham
> radio---failure to do must mean that one must have been quite "witless" to
> begin with...
>
> ~73!~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
>
>
>
>
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> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
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