[TowerTalk] Clamp Type UHF/PL-259 Connector (Epilogue)

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

   Pete, for some reason the Ebay "Buy it Now" option is blocked on this 
connector.  There is a suggestion that the item is no longer available.

73, Joe
K2XX

On 2/11/2011 2:48 PM, Pete Smith wrote:
> Coincidentally, yesterday I received a couple of clamp-type PL-259s that
> I ordered from a Chinese vendor on E-Bay -- the two connectors,
> including air mail, totalled only US$6.  They are not quite the same -
> the shells are nickelpl , the inner conductor is gold flashed, and the
> innards are in several different pieces - see
> <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270680278483>.  The
> center conductor and insulator are not captive, as it appears Paul's are
> - this allows full assembly and test before soldering.
>
> I just put one together with minimal wrench work, and then took it
> apart.  The clamping appears very good both electrically and from the
> standpoint of water-proofing.
>
> I think I'm in love.  Now if only they have a size for RG-58/8X.
>
> 73, Pete N4ZR
>
> The World Contest Station Database, updated daily at www.conteststations.com
> The Reverse Beacon Network at http://reversebeacon.net, blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com,
> spots at telnet.reversebeacon.net, port 7000
>
>
>
> On 2/11/2011 1:12 PM, Paul Christensen wrote:
>> A few weeks ago, Ian, GM3SEK suggested looking into a clamp-type UHF/PL-259
>> connector (not crimp) that offered easy assembly and a weather-resistant
>> backing for outdoor installations.  The only soldering required is for the
>> inner conductor.
>>
>> I ordered a dozen connectors through Newark Electronics and the shipment
>> arrived today.  I had a RG-214 jumper that needed shortening so I tried the
>> new connectors this morning.
>>
>> http://www.newark.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=94M6035
>>
>> These connectors are specific to the larger RG-213/214 and LMR400 class of
>> cables.  However Multicomp offers a smaller clamp-style connector for RG-58.
>>
>> Cable prep for the Multicomp clamp UHF connector could hardly be easier.
>> When Ian said it was a one cut prep with no special tools required, he meant
>> it.  I used a ChannelLock cable cutter (seen on the bench) but a utility
>> knife could also be used to make the single cut.  I simply took the cable
>> cutter to rotate a single cut at one time through the jacket, braid,
>> dielectric, and stopped at the inner conductor.  The jacket, braid, and
>> dielectric are spun off in one twist and discarded.  Next, a flanged
>> metallic and non-metallic bushing are inserted onto the end of the cable.
>> The result looks like this:
>>
>> http://72.52.250.47/images/PL-259-1.jpg
>>
>> You can see I first installed the connector on a section of discarded LMR400
>> for a trial.  Notice the end clamp and red non-metallic bushing on the
>> cable.  The connector inner pin must be milled out just a bit to accommodate
>> the LMR400's solid inner conductor.  I inserted a 7/64 drill bit and twisted
>> until the opening widened.  This step is not required with the RG cables and
>> may not be necessary with other LMR400 variants like UF.
>>
>> After completing the connector, I wanted to disassemble it to determine
>> difficulty.  It was a super-easy to remove just by re-heating the inner
>> conductor and unscrewing the end clamp.  Next, I re-used the same connector
>> on my RG-214 jumper.  Here's the end result:
>>
>> http://72.52.250.47/images/PL-259-2.jpg
>>
>> The end clamp screws into the body using two adjustable open-ended
>> wrenches -- similar to installing an "N" type connector.  The cable at the
>> clamp end is fully sealed and the connector body absolutely does not rotate.
>>
>> A few comments:
>>
>> 1) This connector is weather-resistant between the nut and connector body.
>> Unlike an "N" type, the threaded shell does not form a seal onto the mating
>> SO-239.  That's primarily a limitation of the 'teeth' design used on the
>> SO-239.
>>
>> 2) Unlike a soldered UHF connector, one can visually inspect the work before
>> inserting the cable into body of the connector until satisfied that the prep
>> is good before soldering the inner conductor.  Even then, removal only
>> requires re-heating the inner conductor.  Try that with a soldered PL-259 on
>> RG-213/LMR400 cable.   Yes, I know there are those who claim they can
>> visually inspect and remove a soldered PL-259 by pounding the connector's
>> dielectric out of the shell with a nut driver.  You decide whether that's
>> the proper use of the connector and right tool for the job;
>>
>> 3) These connectors are not inexpensive but I will now use them for outdoor
>> use, while continuing to use crimp connectors indoors.  However, since these
>> connectors are easily re-used, the initial cost may be offset by economizing
>> on re-use in some instances rather than the purchase of new UHF connectors.
>>
>> Paul, W9AC
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> .
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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