[TowerTalk] SO-239 with longer reach?

[Jim Brown]

I don't know of anything like what WW3S is looking for. A couple of 
thoughts.

First, make sure that your construction provides a return path for RF 
current that runs close enough to the traces on your board to form a 
transmission line. That could take the form of a second layer, or, if 
the PC board is quite close to the chassis and the connectors are bonded 
to the chassis, the chassis could serve that function. BUT -- whether 
the second layer or the chassis is used, crosstalk will increase and the 
match will be degraded  if the layer or chassis serving as the return is 
interrupted under the signal trace.

Second, the relays used really matter. The Array Solutions Six-Pak gets 
the return layer circuit right, but poor quality relays degrade both 
crosstalk and SWR.

It also matters which SO239 connectors are used. Some are better than 
others. Mounting method also matters. I've seen a couple of units, but 
don't remember which used which method. The one that works well and 
could work for you mounts the connectors to the board on threaded metal 
stand-offs that are screwed from the solder side of the board, and are 
screwed to the chassis from the outside of the chassis. Also, the 
"standard" SO239 with four mounting holes is superior, because it allows 
the connector to be "wrench-tight."

73, Jim K9YC

On Thu,3/24/2016 6:09 PM, Steve Maki wrote:
> There are two items on Max-Gain's web site that you may be interested in.
>
> Stock No. 9100 is a 4 hole bulkhead connector for Bird line sections 
> that is about .25" longer than standard.
>
> Stock No. 9935-125 is a very long (1.25") single hole bulkhead 
> connector which may not be ideal for PC board mounting but certainly 
> has the length.
>
> -Steve K8LX
>
> On 3/24/2016 6:20 PM, WW3S wrote:
>
>> Anyone know a source for slighlyt longer SO-239? The “standard” ones,
>> when mounted on my pc board, are somewhat short when I install them
>> inside my waterproof outdoor box, mounted inside and thru the box so
>> the PL259 connects outside....I’d feel better with more threads on
>> the outside of the enclosure....
>
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