FWIW, here is a comparison of two UHF bullet adapters (F-F). Both are
sold by "Amphenol-RF":
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol-RF/182109?qs=pUp6IBEmRweq5dreR9OqEw%3D%3D
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol-RF/083-1J?qs=py4qCovljJ%252BPkeGph3iz4w%3D%3D
The first one (the 182109) is $8.14 each and the second one (the 083-1J)
is $18.93 each. If you look at the datasheets (they are actually
drawings), the first one appears to be the Amphenol-Connex brand,
whereas the 2nd more expensive one may be the original "Amphenol".
I would probably take my chances with the cheaper one, especially if I
was using them inside the shack or on the ground where they are readily
accessible. If you are putting it somewhere where failure would require
a crane or a lot of climbing to repair, it might be worth investing in
the more expensive part. Hard to say. Personally what has given me the
most trouble over the years are UHF right angle adapters (the M-F type).
The retaining clip that holds the threaded outer cylinder of the male
side in place can slip out of the groove it rides in. This allows the
male side of the adapter to separate from the female jack it is mated
with (not good!).
I suspect avoiding connectors with no established pedigree or track
record probably takes you from the realm of likely junk to "good enough"
(especially if the price of the no-name seems too good to be true).
Beyond that it may be the difference between "good enough" and "better
than good enough".
73, Mike W4EF..........................
On 11/24/2023 1:30 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
Unfortunately, if I search "Manufacturers" on the DigiKey site, there
are dozens of listings that start with the word "Amphenol" followed
by the name of some non-Amphenol entity that has been acquired by
Amphenol. Obviously, Amphenol is now simply a holding company
and the name no longer necessarily means anything. Jim, with
a background in audio, will identify with the destruction of JBL
after its acquisition by Harmon-Kardon.
Specifically, at D/K, they show:
Amphenol
Amphenol Connex (Amphenol RF)
Amphenol RF
Amphenol Times Microwave
The latter name had a decent reputation at least before being acquired.
Can you give us any additional guidance as to how to identify
the "REAL" Amphenol connectors?
73
Rick N6RK
On 11/24/2023 11:53 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
On 11/24/2023 10:59 AM, Scott Townley wrote:
How do I separate the wheat from the chaff? I have a fully equipped
bench...I would think the go-to would be a TDR measurement. Any
better/additional suggestions?
Look at them carefully. If they aren't labeled Amphenol or stamped
with MIL-spec numbers, they're junk. It's all about mechanical
construction. Measurements won't show it.
I've bought surplus MIL-spec adapters at ham flea-markets. Amphenol
parts are sold by legacy electronics vendors like Allied, Newark,
Arrow, etc. There are a few ham vendors who sell them, but many also
sell junk connectors. The real thing is 2-3x more expensive. Here's
one quality vendor that sells both the real thing and the junk. They
don't offer quantity discounts, while the traditional electronics
vendors do.
https://www.rfparts.com/sitemap
We sometimes need to study the Amphenol parts listing to know which
connector to buy. For example, they manufacture the solder-type PL259
with at least 4 different part numbers, all of which start with
83-1SP. The one we want is the one with no suffix, because the body
is silver plated, and thus easier to solder to.
73, Jim K9YC
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