Topband: Problem with compression F connectors on Quad RG-6

[John Harden]

On 5/4/2013 2:07 PM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
> I'm having a repeated weird problem with compression F connectors on 
> quad-shield RG6.  When I connect a short length (say 4 feet) of cable 
> to my MFJ-259B, I would expect R>650.  Instead, when I wiggle the 
> coax, occasionally I see the display change to R=0 and X= several 
> hundred ohms at 1.8 MHz.  This makes no sense to me - the R implies 
> ashort, but where's all the X coming from?  The problem seems to vary 
> with the same connector and different PL-259 to F adapters, which 
> makes me wonder what might be happening inside the adapters, but I 
> can't imagine anything producing this result.  I have also been 
> unsuccessful in detecting a short using a simple DC multimeter.
>
> I;'m wondering if I should go through my RX antennas and replace all 
> the F connectors and particularly the F to 259 adapters with something 
> else, but what?  BNCs?
>
> Anyone have any wisdom?
>
I never have problems with F connectors. I buy quality Belden RG-6/U 
Quad Shield from ACK Radio in Atlanta as well as the right "F" 
connectors, and use a quality compression tool. There are several "F" 
connector sizes. The right one goes on the cable rather easily if it is 
stripped properly.......