[TowerTalk] PL-259 question

[Dale Sanders]

I use the PL259 everyday......just purchase from a reliable, local
electronics supply house and don't scrimp on the price of the connector.  An
antenna is only as good as it weakest connection and this is NOT a place to
worry about pricing.  The connectors I'm using are made by Emerson but I
still prefer the old Amphenol standards.  ....and make sure you use a large
soldering iron.  I use a Weller 200 - 300 watt iron and it heats quickly and
connects the thing without the long, slow, heating the deforms the position
of the center connector pin.

73
Dale - WD4IFR

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of John
Becker
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2012 2:46 PM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] PL-259 question

A little more clarification here relative to my inquiry:

I am only interested in the differences between the different Amphenol
PL-259 plugs. I won't consider using a generic plug from an unknown
supplier.

The plugs I have with either dark yellow or light yellow insulators are
marked 83-1SP. Amphenol's published data says these have silver plating on
both the body and the center pin.

I was incorrect in stating that I had some with blue insulators; they
actually are green and they are marked 83-1SP-1007. I haven't found any
description of this variety on Amphenol's website. These were very common at
Motorola before I retired. I wonder if they were a special Motorola-only
variation.

The plugs I have with Teflon insulators are marked 83-886. Amphenol's
published data says these have nickel plating on the body and silver plating
on the center pin.

There is a variation 83-886-2050 which is Teflon with silver plating on both
the body and the center pin, but I have never seen one of these. 
R&L Electronics is selling them for $9.95 each. For comparison, they sell
the 83-1SP for $3.95.

Amphenol's UHF Connector brochure says the insulators used are PTFE
(Teflon), co-polymer of styrene, or mica-filled phenolic. It does NOT say
which insulator is used on each specific part number.

A couple of people have recommended the 83-1SP because the silver plated
shell is easier to solder than nickel plated varieties. I have also observed
this to be the case.

I have found no explanation from Amphenol as to why they use phenolic
insulators in some and PTFE in others. This is what I would like to
understand. Is there some application of a PL-259 where PTFE is
demonstratively superior to phenolic? Or is this just a marketing ploy to
justify a significantly higher price? I would guess that the difference in
material cost between phenolic and Teflon is very low in the quantities
Amphenol buys.

73, John, K9MM




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