Hans,
F connectors and RG-6/RG-11 (modern CATV variants) have their detractors,
perhaps with some good reasons, but I have been using them exclusively from 1.8
- 144 MHz for the past 20 years, with no substantive issues.
I use F-to-UHF adapters as necessary, but I also use a couple of
non-mother-approved ways to attach PL-259s directly to RG-6/RG-11 (see youtube
videos by a 4-land Old-Timer).
Perhaps the best way to use them is to pick up a few crimp/solder PL-259
connectors made for RG-6. They're available at www.therfc.com, and they're high
quality (about $2 each). Don't try to source these from eBay or Alibaba, cuz
you'll get the junky ones, for sure. The only "good" ones I've found have been
at the aforementioned address.
Aside from one bad length of cable, I have been very satisfied/successful using
this stuff from 1 to 100W. Others have reported success at 500-1000 W, but I'd
stop at 500 W on HF, perhaps at 100 W above 6 meters (just because).
After years of using RG-6 from dc to daylight, I tested several 100-foot
lengths in the field for cable/connector losses, etc, with no problems detected.
Oh -- and the high-quality Snap N Seal brand compression fittings are SUPER
DUPER and so easy to use.
The cable has loss figures equivalent or slightly better than generic RG-8, and
if you want even better specs, use RG-11.
Important: Most RG-6/RG-11 is copper clad steel (CCS). Make sure you DON'T nick
or cut the thin copper layer when prepping for connectors or you'll be
transmitting through steel coax...
The skin depth may be problematic on 160 meters, but my in-place tests of
actual working installations showed no problems. YMMV!
Regards,
--Kirk, NT0Z Survivor of Snowpocalypse 1 to 5 Rochester, MN
My book, "Stealth Amateur Radio," is now available from www.stealthamateur.com
and on the Amazon Kindle (soon)
On Thursday, March 14, 2019 12:10 PM, Hans Hammarquist via TowerTalk
<towertalk@contesting.com> wrote:
Would it be possible to use the F-connector in a transmitting situation? I
have never thought about it that way but considering how good the connector
actually is (I think it is better than the "old, trusted UHF"-connector) it
should be possible to use it instead of PL-239 for the slimmer cables. Any idea
what power it could take?
Just my penny,
Hans - N2JFS
-----Original Message-----
From: Clay Autery <KY5G@montac.com>
To: john <john@kk9a.com>; towertalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Thu, Mar 14, 2019 10:32 am
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] F-connectors
Actually, there are VERY high quality F-connectors available with gold plated
center pins (crimp and/or solder), ptfe insulation, et al.Canare makes
excellent broadcast quality cable and connectors in F and BNC.And they make the
tooling to along with the materials.73,Clay, KY5GSent from my Verizon, Samsung
Galaxy smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: john@kk9a.com Date: 3/13/19 21:00
(GMT-06:00) To: towertalk@contesting.com Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] F-connectors
I am wondering why F connectors are popular in amateur radio stations? Theyare
not waterproof, maybe partially if an o-ring is added. Basically asTerry noted
they are a cheap connector that has no center pin other the coaxwire. John
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