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Re: [TenTec] Molex Connectors

To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Molex Connectors
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson" <geraldj@storm.weather.net>
Reply-to: geraldj@storm.weather.net, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:04:18 -0600
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
On Tue, 2009-01-27 at 19:15 +0000, ac9s@mchsi.com wrote:
> "The white multi-pin rectangular connectors used by Ten Tec for power 
> on their radios during the 70s and 80s are Molex connectors. They 
> come in several sizes. You buy the white housings and the pins 
> separately. There are male and female housings and male and female 
> pins. The newest Ten Tec radio I own is an Omni V, and it also uses 
> Molex for power. Newark, Allied, Mouser, Digikey are the sources. 
> They aren't very expensive and they're moderately robust, but 
> they're a bit of a PITA, because once a pin is inserted in the 
> housing, it's next to impossible to get it out without a special 
> tool. And although they latch pretty solidly, it can be a PITA to 
> unlatch them!   
> 
> The white multi-pin rectangular connectors used by Ten Tec for power 
> on their radios during the 70s and 80s are Molex connectors. They 
> come in several sizes. You buy the white housings and the pins 
> separately. There are male and female housings and male and female 
> pins. The newest Ten Tec radio I own is an Omni V, and it also uses 
> Molex for power. Newark, Allied, Mouser, Digikey are the sources. 
> They aren't very expensive and they're moderately robust, but 
> they're a bit of a PITA, because once a pin is inserted in the 
> housing, it's next to impossible to get it out without a special 
> tool. And although they latch pretty solidly, it can be a PITA to 
> unlatch them!  "
> 
> You can buy molex connectors in a variety of configurations at your local 
> Radio Shack.  Also, They make an inexpensive little tool that fits over 
> individual pins, compresses the portion that expands, and allows one to 
> easily remove them from the nylon housing.  I use molex connectors in all my 
> control lines - rotator, remote antenna switch, Steppir line - so that I can 
> easily disconnect them when I am away from the radio.  Some of these little 
> connectors have lasted for 15+ years with nary a failure in a daily connect, 
> disconnect cycle.  I think they are one of the great bargains in our hobby.
> 
But not the series that fits the power on vintage Tentecs. They might
have the mate for the remote VFO though. Last I checked the prices from
TenTec or Mouser for the power connector were nearly the same.

> Keith
> AC9S 
> _______________________________________________
73, Jerry, K0CQ

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