[Amps] Fwd: Re: soldering vs crimping

[Dick Green WC1M]

Wise words.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Christensen [mailto:w9ac at arrl.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 1:35 PM
> To: amps
> Subject: Re: [Amps] Fwd: Re: soldering vs crimping
> 
> > As for the shield, there's no question in my mind that crimping is
> > superior to soldering.
> 
> When I was working for RKO Radio in Chicago back in the early '80s, we
> analyzed return loss measurements of various crimp v. soldered
> connections.
> This was an important consideration when measuring synchronous AM noise
> in a bandwidth-limited FM system.  Among other factors, accuracy in the
> depth of measurement was dependent on the quality of connector.  Crimp N
> connectors were superior to soldered N for this purpose.
> 
> I have no doubt that a well-crimped connector is better, at least for
> the short term.  However, I have a problem with a universal statement
> that all crimp connectors are the better performing type regardless of
> environment and age of the crimp.
> 
> For outdoor installations where the connector is exposed to water, ice,
> or high levels of humidity, I cannot see using crimp UHF/BNC/N
> connectors.
> For indoor cabling, I've standardized on RG-400 coax with crimp
> connectors.
> They work well although in instrumentation cables that I use often where
> they are subject to a lot of handling, the soldered connectors have held
> up better over time.
> 
> So, I think the environment needs to be qualified before we claim that
> one type of connector is superior that of another.
> 
> Paul, W9AC
> 
>