Hi Jon,
The "misapplication" is per Andros' data sheet, where they stipulate the
connector is for single-conductor coaxial cable; but also, if you use the
common 19-strand, 9.5AWG cables such as CXP1318, 9913F, 9096, BuryFlex, etc,
it is quite difficult to maintain the twist of the 19 strands in such a way
as one strand does not displace during connector installation. Obviously,
even a tiny displacement of a single strand is a problem!
One could twist the strands, tin the entire bundle, and then file the
diameter of that bundle to make the 19 strands appear as a single conductor
-- but golly, isn't this kind of a huge time-burner? (In my opinion, even
filing the edge of a single-conductor cable like 9913 or LMR is a huge
time-burner...I want connectors I can use instantly, not five minutes
later.) Obviously no such precautions, or filing, or tinning, or any
unusual preparation is required for the conventional mil-spec UG21-series
Type N connectors which have a separate pin, and as such I find them
actually easier, and faster, to use in a pinch (like on a windy rooftop, or
atop a tower...)
WB2WIK/6
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." -
Mario Andretti
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jon Ogden [SMTP:na9d@speakeasy.net]
> Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 2:05 PM
> To: Steve Katz; steve sala; TOWERTALK@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [Towertalk] andros 2 piece N connectors
>
> A couple of points:
>
> 1.) Filing down the center conductor slightly, helps to prevent any
> misalignment problems. If the end of the conductor is even slightly bent
> due to clipping the cable, you will have problems.
>
> 2.) I disagree completely with your statement about stranded center
> conductors. I have done several assemblies with stranded center
> conductors
> and have had ZERO problems. I fail to see how it is a misapplication. In
> fact, I found the stranded conductors to be EASIER to use.
>
> 73,
>
> Jon
> NA9D
>
> on 10/7/02 9:50 AM, Steve Katz at stevek@jmr.com wrote:
>
> > The 2-piece Andros type N connectors are intended for use with solid
> > center-conductor coaxial cable such as 9913, 9086, LMR400, etc. The
> center
> > conductor does NOT need to be filed down in any way, the #9.5 AWG
> conductor
> > slips right into the center pin perfectly.
> >
> > The caveats are:
> >
> > -The center conductor of the coax needs to be precisely centered prior
> to
> > screwing the Andros body onto the cable; if there's any misalignment at
> all,
> > even .030" or so, the center conductor can "miss" the center pin, and
> push
> > the Teflon dielectric right out the end of the connector, rendering a $4
> > paperweight, and you must start over again with a new connector.
> >
> > -Don't use stranded-conductor cable, at all -- this is a misapplication
> and
> > very tricky.
>
>
> -------------------------------------
> Jon Ogden
> NA9D (ex: KE9NA)
>
> Life Member: ARRL, NRA
> Member: AMSAT, DXCC
>
> http://www.qsl.net/ke9na
>
> "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
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