Topband: Replacing F Connectors with BNCs

[Tom W8JI]

There are push on F connectors, and I use them, but I use them wisely. I 
minimize my dependence on having a perfect shield connection as much as 
reasonably possible.

For example, my swap over from house operation to contest barn operation is 
all via push-on F connections. I have zero problems with shield ingress. I 
would not use them out in the rain, or in a situation where I could not 
mitigate small issues with shield connection resistance.

A push-on F is about as reliable as a BNC electrically, although physically 
it has no mechanical locking.





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pete Smith N4ZR" <n4zr at contesting.com>
To: "George Dubovsky" <n4ua.va at gmail.com>
Cc: "topband reflector" <Topband at contesting.com>; "Frank Donovan" 
<donovanf at starpower.net>
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 9:18 AM
Subject: Re: Topband: Replacing F Connectors with BNCs


> Thanks, all - you've persuaded me.
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
> http://reversebeacon.net,
> blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
> For spots, please go to your favorite
> ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
>
> On 11/14/2013 8:14 AM, George Dubovsky wrote:
>> Pete,
>>
>> I recommend you stay with the F-connectors. BNCs are fine in a lab 
>> environment where cables must be disconnected often, but their 
>> convenience factor comes with a trade-off in reliability. If, however, 
>> you are connecting and disconnecting F-connectors a lot, the female F 
>> will start to show reliability problems also.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> geo - n4ua
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Nov 14, 2013 at 7:38 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr at contesting.com 
>> <mailto:n4zr at contesting.com>> wrote:
>>
>>     That is certainly possible, Frank - I've been using Ideal
>>     compression connectors from Home Depot.  I have not had any
>>     reliability problems with them at all - they are just a pita to
>>     connect and disconnect.
>>
>>     If a BNC is wrapped with Scotch 2242, over-wrapped with Scotch
>>     88+, and not submerged, shouldn't that be adequate?
>>
>>
>>     73, Pete N4ZR
>>     Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
>>     http://reversebeacon.net,
>>     blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com
>>     <http://reversebeacon.blogspot.com>.
>>     For spots, please go to your favorite
>>     ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
>>
>>     On 11/14/2013 7:31 AM, donovanf at starpower.net
>>     <mailto:donovanf at starpower.net> wrote:
>>
>>         Hi Pete,
>>
>>         I wonder why you've decided to switch to BNCs?   They have
>>         their own issues and they've completely unsuitable for outdoor
>>         use.
>>         I wonder if perhaps you've been using poor quality F connectors?
>>
>>         73
>>         Frank
>>         W3LPL
>>
>>
>>         ----- Original Message -----
>>         From: Pete Smith N4ZR <n4zr at contesting.com
>>         <mailto:lt%3Bn4zr at contesting.com>>
>>         To: Topband at contesting.com <mailto:Topband at contesting.com>
>>         Sent: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 07:24:59 -0500 (EST)
>>         Subject: Topband: Replacing F Connectors with BNCs
>>
>>         I have finally decided to go through my RX antenna systems and
>>         replace
>>         all the F connectors with BNCs. My coax is all RG-6 Quad shield. 
>> I
>>         would like to find an all-crimp BNC male solution, or failing
>>         that, one
>>         that only requires soldering the center conductor.
>>
>>         Any advice on which connectors would be best, or which to stay
>>         away from?
>>
>>
>>     _________________
>>     Topband Reflector
>>
>>
>
> _________________
> Topband Reflector
>
>
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