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[TowerTalk] Connectors

To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: [TowerTalk] Connectors
From: W8JI@contesting.com (Tom Rauch)
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2001 19:20:52 -0400
> rated for RF power well exceeding the Kilowatt. The bigger size of the
> UHF central pin connector lead to believe that a UHF connector
> withstand more current than N but this is true only at DC or in the
> lowest HAM band where mechanical precision is a less stringent matter.
 
Dimensions of the N are almost identical to the BNC connector. As 
a matter of fact, if you remove the locking bayonet from a male 
BNC it works nicely as a "quick connect" for 50 ohm N females.

Normal N connectors are rated for about 1000 watts, and they are 
living on borrowed time even at 1500 watts. This is especially true if 
SWR is high, or if there is moisture ingress into the connector.

I am very interested in the claims that the much smaller pin of the 
N, and the much smaller spacing from the conductor to ground can 
handle more current and voltage than the larger pin and larger 
spacing of the UHF connector.

I am especially interested because that runs contrary to my 
experience and the experience of many others that I know over the 
past 30 years.

All hyperbole and conjecture aside, please explain the mechanism 
that allows a smaller conductor to safely dissipate more heat, or 
have less surface resistance as frequency is increased, than a  
conductor several times larger.

Also, please explain the mechanism that allows a much smaller air 
gap to hold off more voltage than a larger airgap.

I would be interested in the physical reason for this, and some 
evidence or explanation why the mechanical holding ability of the N 
is better.


73, Tom W8JI
W8JI@contesting.com 


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