> Well, I never had an N to fail yet, except if water gets
> in it will fry at once, but then again almost anything will
> fry when water gets in.
> However, nowdays I started to use 7/16 connectors on
> HF and VHF/UHF also for that matter. One sure will sleep
> safely with 7/16 connectors in the system.
>
> 73, Jim SM2EKM
The weakest connector in the link when N's and UHF's are mixed
is by far always the N.
While standard good-quality UHF connectors easily handle 5kW or
more (I've seen them operated at 15-20 kW) N's will blow their
lunch at a few KW.
If you work above 200 MHz, are making critical measurements, or if
the electrical length of the impedance bump in the connector totals
more than one degree you might need a constant impedance
connector. But an N is worthless at HF or lower VHF in normal
applications compared to a standard UHF connector.
I machine all my female N connectors for 7/8 inch heliax into UHF
female connectors, since BNC-like spacing and pin size is too
small to be reliable.
The UHF is mechanically stronger also, and easier to install if it
has to be replaced outdoors.
73, Tom W8JI
w8ji@contesting.com
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