Topband: Rather use N-type (was Re: The answer to PL-259 soldering/reliability problems)

Thu Dec 6 11:03:04 EST 2018

The issue with PL-259 is the leaking of common mode current into the
internal RF current. On higher bands the leaking is very bad but difficult
to see or understand. 

I went to over 50 WF installation on contest station, DX station, city lot
QTH and very quiet rural areas. I noticed several problems with pl259
contact between the braid and the connector and between the male and female
connector as well.

Using a 40 db gain preamplifier is like using a huge magnifier lent, I
notices the noise floor going from s0 to s7 just moving the cable up and
down, the braid was break inside the PL259. Hard to detect and all works
fine if you don't check with the right tool.

The N connector has an internal ring to connect the RF coaxial current , the
external tread ring is just for mechanical and water proof protection with
the "O" ring inside. No leaking.

"N" connector as well PL259 requires a mechanical reinforcement of the
cable, using 2 inches of heat shrink tube dual wall with glue is almost
mandatory to avoid problems in the future.

Price is no longer an issue for N due large use on WIFI, and new wireless
products, the same thing with SMA connectors for RX signal path, the price
is good for the quality you get.

I am using N connectors as much possible in the last 30 years. My suggestion
for protection is auto fusion # 2155  from 3M TemFlex Rubber Splicing Tape.
It create a solid rubber cover tight to the connectors, really seal from
water. Easy to remove without glue damage on the connector. I've seen 20
years old connector looking like new when I removed the tape protection. It
is available on any Home Depot.

PL259 makes your station noisy and you just don't know it.

73's
JC
N4IS

----Original Message-----
From: Topband <topband-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of N2TK, Tony
Sent: Thursday, December 6, 2018 10:31 AM
To: 'GEORGE WALLNER' <aa7jv at atlanticbb.net>; topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Rather use N-type (was Re: The answer to PL-259
soldering/reliability problems)

I have been using PL-259 connectors forever. I have switched to crimp
connectors when I need to make up a new cable. No sense replacing the
soldered connectors if they are working fine. ThePL-259 is a low loss, easy
to assemble connector for up to at least 6M (nothing higher in frequency
here) that makes good contact and are easy to seal with rescue tape followed
by Scotch 33+. Some of my PL-259's have been in use outside for 40 years and
still look good and work well. I hope manufacturer's don't change.    
73,
N2TK, Tony

-----Original Message-----
From: Topband <topband-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of GEORGE WALLNER
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2018 9:13 AM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Rather use N-type (was Re: The answer to PL-259
soldering/reliability problems)

Greg,
I completely agree. For all my outdoors applications I use N connectors. 
Unfortunately, amateur radio gear (even seriously expensive gear) is still
built with SO-239 connectors which perpetuate the use PL-259 male
connectors. As a result, my station and my DXpedition gear contain both,
necessitating the use of adaptors. How do we convince manufacturers to
change?
73,
George
AA7JV/C6AGU

On Thu, 06 Dec 2018 17:00:53 +1300
  Greg-zl3ix <zl3ix at inet.net.nz> wrote:
>
>
> I continue to be mystified by the fact that the amateur radio 
> community insists on using PL259 connectors. N-type are much more 
> reliable (used by professional communicators), low cost, can be 
> crimped easily and quickly and have a well-defined impedance right up 
> into GHz frequencies.
>
> Back in 2005 I started having contact problems with the connector on 
> my SteppIR 3-element. There was a thin layer of oxide that built up 
> around the centre pin of the PL259. I had had similar problems with 
> other connectors around my shack. I decided to change my entire 
> station, including the SteppIR, to N-type, and have never looked back.
>
>
> 73, Greg, ZL3IX
>
> On 06.12.2018 13:29, Steve Ireland wrote: 
> G'day
>>
>> About five years I discovered this fool-proof and brilliant
> way to solder PL-259s invented by Bill Maxon N4AR who taught this to 
> Tim K3LR. Tim uses this method throughout his contest station and did 
> a great job of documenting it - see 
> http://www.k3lr.com/engineering/pl259/
> [1] and it has totally changed my angry and worried attitude towards 
> soldering PL-259s.
>>
>> The key component is Amphenol 83-1SP connectors.
> The connector body is silver and the shell is nickel and you can buy 
> them from Mouser or DX Engineering.
>>
>> Vy 73
>>
>> Steve, VK6VZ
>>
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