[TowerTalk] Type N and PL-259 Connectors for Belden 9913 Flex

[Roger (K8RI)]

Mark Spencer wrote:

Just a point. As most of us already know, connectors are not created 
equal be they crimp, clamp, or solder and particularly the PL-259 
variety.  Most  of the connectors I have will readily accept the flex 
versions of 9913 and LMR-400 including some Amphenol.  Some PL-259 crimp 
connectors will also accept the larger, stranded center conductor as 
will *some* type N (crimp and solder). All of my N-type, clamp 
connectors do not although I'd not be surprised if the same kind of 
variation exists there as well.
> With regards to "9913 flex" (ie Belden 9913 F7 ?)  you can easily attach standard PL 259 plugs by cutting off one of the strands of the portion of the center conductor that is soldered to the center pin of a PL 259.  Although I wouldn't reccommend this practice, it's arguable how much extra loss and or miss match this would cause over and above using a PL 259 at VHF or UHF.    At high power levels where you would be concerned about the current carrying capacity of the conductors this is probably not a good practice. 
>    
>   If you are going to use N connectors I would go out of my way to get the correct connectors with the special center pin that will accomodate the larger center conductor. 
As I mentioned the clamp type, N-connectors I have do not accept the 
larger, stranded center conductor.
I've resorted to clipping the one strand procedure which works very well 
with them and leaves virtually no change in the center conductor size 
from cable to connector,  but it does take extra care.  I've since gone 
to all crimp type connectors.

73 and good luck,

Roger (K8RI)


>   My recollection is that these were quite finnicky to install the first few times, so if you have not done this before I would buy a few extras and allow yourself some extra slack in your cable runs in case you need to cut off the cable and start again.
>    
>   Good luck.
>   
>
> Jim Rhodes <k0xu at longlines.com> wrote:
>   The 9913 flex, LMR400, buryflex (and maybe others I don't know about) 
> have a larger center conductor that will not fit many of the 
> "standard" connectors. N connectors for sure you need special 
> connectors. I have used some "standard" solder type connectors with 
> 9913 flex, but the crimp needs to be special.
>
> At 01:44 AM 4/29/2008, Jeff Stevens wrote:
>   
>> I'm looking to do some runs of 9913 flex: a run from my shack to the
>> roof (through the attic) for VHF/UHF and another run (likely through
>> conduit) to an HF wire antenna in the pasture.
>>
>> Until now, most of my work has been with RG-8X type cable with PL
>> connectors (and reducer).
>>
>> Some sources I've come across say that I can use "standard" PL / Type N
>> connectors with 9913 flex while others suggest I need to use connectors
>> specific to 9913. Can someone give me the straight scoop? Can I use
>> "standard" RG-8 type sized connectors with 9913 flex or do I need
>> "special" connectors?
>>
>> -Jeff
>> KE7FRJ
>>
>>
>>
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>
> Jim Rhodes K0XU
> jim at rhodesend.net
>
> Experience is the thing you have left when everything else is gone. 
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