I used what I guess were TC600-UMC connectors about three years ago, but
I don't recall what I paid for them. I just used a soldering iron I've
had for years; I think it's 30W, but it has a "boost" button as well.
However, when the time comes to relocate the VHF/UHF antenna, I might go
for something other than LMR600.
For the HF antennas I'll probably use Davis BuryFlex.
73
Alan NV8A
On 03/27/05 06:03 pm William Q Meeker tossed the following ingredients
into the ever-growing pot of cybersoup:
>
> I will be putting up some antennas at a new location in about six weeks. I
> have acquired some Times Microwave (TM) LMR-400 and LMR-600 at a good price
> for the runs to and up the tower (about 200 feet total) and intend to use
> something like LMR-400UF around the rotator, as has been suggested
> previously on this reflector.
>
> I intend to use N-connectors in most places, but will need UHF connectors
> at some of the endpoints.
>
> My only experience with coax connectors has been with UHF-type on RG-8 and
> 9913 type coax.
>
> I have studied the TT archives, www.eham.net discussions, and various
> vendors' web sites about connectors for the LMR cables, but some questions
> remain.
>
> For the LMR-600, the preferred connector seems to be the EZ-600-NMH, which
> requires the infamous $400 (approx) TM crimping tool. I have not been able
> to find one locally to borrow. Needing only to install a few connectors for
> the LMR-600, I cannot justify the cost.
>
> The instructions for the TC600-UMC "clamp" type connector
> (http://www.timesmicrowave.com/connectors/drawings.shtml) seem daunting and
> mention the need for a "high-power soldering unit in the engineering lab."
> What, exactly, does that imply?
>
> TM, offers, however, two other "EZ" connectors that do not require crimping
> or soldering (EZ-600-NMC and EZ-600-NMC-2). . They have interesting install
> videos (http://www.timesmicrowave.com/connectors/videos.shtml) for
> EZ-600-NMH and EZ-600-NMC-2 (but not for the EZ-600-NMC, but the written
> instructions seem to similar to traditional N-connectors) and EZ-600-NMC-2
> seems to be really EZ (i.e., easy to install). There are also videos for
> EZ-1200-NMH and EZ-1700-NMH but the structure and installation of these
> connectors seems more similar to EZ-600-NMC-2 (I guess that these monster
> connectors are too big to crimp!).
>
> Other than need for special tools and time of installation, what are the
> tradeoffs among the EZ-600-NMH, TC600-UMC, EZ-600-NM, and EZ-600-NMC-2? Is
> there a downside to the EZ-600-NMC-2, which seems almost as EZ as the
> EZ-600-NMH, but without the need for the expensive tool?
>
> Also, because I am used to carefully soldering coax connectors, I wonder
> about the integrity of the no-solder connectors. Is there anything to be
> concerned about?
>
> Finally, I imagine that there are similar issues for the TM LMR-400. I have
> not studied these as carefully. I have heard conflicting views on whether
> one should use standard UHF and N connectors with the LMR-400, but am
> thinking of using standard, lower-cost, connectors here. What is the
> current thinking on this?
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