[Amps] Fwd: Re: soldering vs crimping

[Alex Eban]

This is definitely true, although in the Signal corps we used crimped
connectors all over in field installations and vehicular use with no
problems. Modern connectors are nickel coated and surface treated (that's
why they don't take solder well) to withstand exterior use.
The main problem is that the shield and the PVC coating is not as well
supported as in the thread assembled types; that's where they usually give.
Alex	4Z5KS

-----Original Message-----
From: amps-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:amps-bounces at contesting.com] On
Behalf Of Paul Christensen
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 8:35 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


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