[Amps] UHF Connectors

[qrv at kd4e.com]

Watch out for the UHF elbow adapters as well.  Some are so poorly made
they may arc internally to the shell.

> It depends on the quality of the UHF series connectors as to how much
> loss.  A number of years ago, I had a client who decided to set up
> his own two-way radio test bench.  For some reason, he used PL-259
> and PL-258 connectors from Radio Shack.  He also, for some unknown
> reason, had a total of 7-connectors in less than 10-feet of RG8/U
> plus a dummy load and a Bird 43 wattmeter.
>
> The first units he checked had a specified output of 35-watts in the
> 450 MHz to 470 MHz range.  He was reading well under 10-watts on his
> Bird 43.  The client telephoned me wanting to know why such a low
> reading.  I took my Bird 6154 dummy load / wattmeter with my coax
> jumper over to the client's office.  With the Bird 6154, the
> transmitters registered over 35-watts output.  Then, I used his
> cable, including all the Radio Shack connectors, to feed the 6154.
> The power registered the same as with the client's wattmeter.
>
> I started removing sections of jumper cable from the client's setup
> and the reading on the 6154 kept increasing.  Next, the jumper cable
> from the 6154 was used with the client's wattmeter.  A full 35-watts
> was read on his wattmeter.
>
> Further examination showed right at a 1 dB loss in each of the Radio
> Shack connectors!  I did not check the connectors at lower
> frequencies.  The client replaced his jumper cables with a single
> piece of RG8/U with Amphenol PL-259 connectors at each end and his
> wattmeter read over 35-watts.
>
> After that experience, I definitely avoid using Radio Shack
> connectors.  I don't know if the particular "batch" had problems or
> what.  But, the price of Radio Shack connectors usually is right at,
> and sometimes even more, than quality connectors.  As such, I don't
> take a chance and stay clear of Radio Shack where r.f. connectors are
> concerned.
>
> Glen, K9STH


-- 

Thanks! & 73, KD4E.com

David Colburn - Nevils, Georgia USA

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