[Amps] UHF Connectors

[Carl]

Some just use a steel spring for the bend!

Carl
KM1H


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <qrv at kd4e.com>
To: <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 2:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] UHF Connectors


> 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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