[Amps] Junk Connectors

[Jim Brown]

On Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:05:09 -0700, Bill, W6WRT wrote:

>Amphenol only for me.

Same here. I've had a lot of grief -- some of it expensive, some of 
it wasted time -- from cheap connectors. RS is only one example. The 
coax adapters, tees, and elbows sold at hamfests are another 
example. Lots of guilty parties. I bought a stacking harness from M-
squared for a couple of their 6M loops. The Tee connector fell 
apart. I've had N to PL259s and splicers that go intermittent. 
Dissimilar metal problems, the center conductor isn't solid, it's a 
tiny spring, etc. 

When I got back on the air about 5 years ago after a long absence, I 
stocked up on a selection DIN connectors from RF Connection. BIG 
mistake -- they don't take solder, no matter how much flux or what 
else you try, and the dielectric melts with even low soldering heat. 
When I called RF Connection to complain, they told me "Hams are 
cheap." Stick with Switchcraft (actually made by Preh, I think). 5X 
the cost, but well worth it. 

73,

Jim Brown K9YC