Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TowerTalk] Heliax Connectors

To: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics." <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Heliax Connectors
From: Ryan Jairam <rjairam@gmail.com>
Reply-to: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics." <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:59:06 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Well as far as mechanical strength goes, I will probably agree, but I
don't plan on disconnecting and reconnecting. I also secure any
connector so that it does not endure any mechanical stress.
Connectors are designed for electrical connections. One should always
protect their connectors from mechanical stress.

I will also point out that I have had on more than one occasion
damaged a SO239 connector, once in a transceiver (Icom 746).

As far as DINs go, I agree.

Ryan, N2RJ

On Tue, Apr 20, 2010 at 8:48 PM, Steve Maki <lists@oakcom.org> wrote:
> My problem with N connectors is that they are fragile mechanically.
> They're OK if installed carefully and always mated with their female
> counterpart by someone who cares (hey, this is getting poetic), but it's
>  very easy for pickle-heads to spread the female center pin (come on)
> thereby ruining it.
>
> For HF I'll take UHF connectors any day, and for higher, give me DINs
> please.
>
> BTW I thought we already had 2010's version of this discussion, and we
> weren't due for another for 8 months or so...
>
> Steve K8LX
>
> Ryan Jairam wrote:
>> Unless someone is running at least 3x the legal limit, I doubt any
>> amateur running legal amateur power levels will have any problem with
>> either an N connector or PL259. Andrew N connectors can actually
>> handle up to 10kW (peak) according to the spec sheets.
>>
>> High SWR may be a different issue but I try to avoid high SWR here.
>> The only antennas I have that routinely operate under high SWR are fed
>> with 450 ohm line.
>>
>> Anyway, my whole reason for using N was availability and cost.
>> Performance is a non issue because under HF amateur applications at
>> legal limit or less into a 50 ohm load there won't be any difference.
>>
>> Ryan, N2RJ
>>
>> On Tue, Apr 20, 2010 at 7:13 PM, Roger (K8RI) <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net> 
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Ryan Jairam wrote:
>>>> I would just get N connectors and adapters and use that instead.
>>>> Practically nobody else but ham and CB use UHF connectors anymore.
>>>>
>>> To me the UHF are preferable to the N for HF if you run power and a high
>>> SWR.  I look at N as a mistake.  If I didn't have so may connectors
>>> already installed I'd go with the 7-16 DIN which might even be cheaper
>>> now days.
>>>
>>> I've never noted any difference up through 2-meters although others
>>> have. What we did different? I have no idea.
>>>
>>> 73
>>>
>>> Roger (K8RI)
>>>> Vy 73
>>>> Ryan N2RJ
>>>>
>>>> On 4/20/10, john@kk9a.com <john@kk9a.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> These connectors are no longer made and most dealers seem to be out of 
>>>>> them.
>>>>> Here is one dealer that has four of them and is asking $1500/each
>>>>> http://antennasystems.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=L44P&Category_Code=LDF4con
>>>>> .
>>>>> If anyone does have any L44P or L44U connectors that they would like to 
>>>>> get
>>>>> rid of for a more reasonable price, please send me a direct email
>>>>>
>>>>> John  john@kk9a.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> To: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics." <towertalk@contesting.com>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Heliax Connectors
>>>>> From: Steve Maki <lists@oakcom.org>
>>>>> Reply-to: "Tower and HF antenna construction topics."
>>>>> <towertalk@contesting.com>
>>>>> Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:09:51 -0400
>>>>> List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
>>>>>
>>>>> Steve Bagley wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Ladies and Gentlemen:
>>>>>> I have read so much information concerning what connectors to use for 
>>>>>> 1/2"
>>>>>> heliax, I am thoroughly confused.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I need to splice some heliax together for a long run, and terminate at 
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> tower and shack.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My arrestors are a standard SO-239 connector.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I would prefer to use the connectors designed for the heliax vs standard
>>>>>> 259's.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Anyone have the appropriate part numbers and any concise input?  Really
>>>>>> appreciate it!
>>>>>>
>>>>> Assuming you're talking about Andrew LDF4, the Andrew part numbers are:
>>>>>
>>>>> L44Z - splice
>>>>> L44P - UHF male
>>>>> L44U - UHF female
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm not sure any of these are actually made anymore, but can be found in
>>>>> stock at some dealers, and commonly at fleamarkets. Also RF Industries
>>>>> (RFI) makes a UHF male for LDF4 if I'm not mistaken.
>>>>>
>>>>> 73,
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Steve Maki
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> TowerTalk mailing list
>>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Steve Maki
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>



-- 
Ryan A. Jairam,
_______________________________________________



_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>