[TowerTalk] N connector, Re: UHF (PL259) soldered center

[john at kk9a.com]

Thanks for the info Steve, your knowledge of commercial systems is very
valuable to us on towertalk. 7-16 DIN connectors are indeed very robust. I
have a few on my 10m system however they are larger than the N and UHF
connectors that most hams use. So, for the fun of it I purchased an Amphenol
4.3-10 jack. It is a very nice looking connector, similar to an N on
steroids, that would be an easy swap with existing N/UHF jacks. The only
issue may be with finding 4.3-10 plugs. The Commscope and Amphenol stock is
very low for LDF4 cable and I found nothing reasonably priced for RG series
coax. 

John KK9A




To:	towertalk <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject:	Re: [TowerTalk] N connector, Re: UHF (PL259) soldered center
From:	Steve Maki <lists at oakcom.org>
Date:	Wed, 27 Jun 2018 19:46:25 -0400

I haven't looked, but I'm guessing that neither of the *mini* DIN series
have much to choose from as far as connectors for 3/8" braided coax (RG213,
LMR400, etc). They were developed to be the next generation connector for
the Remote Radio Head to Antenna jumper interface, which is 1/2" corrugated
hardline 99% of the time. The availability scenario will improve as time
goes on, but I'd bet on the 4.3-10 to be the survivor.

Whereas 7-16 DIN has gained enough market share to be available for almost
all cables, and will be for the foreseeable future.

The 4.1-9.5 has been around for 15 years at least, and is the one properly
called mini-DIN. The 4.3-10 is much more recent, and was developed
specifically with ultra low PIM in mind, plus high density jack fields. The
4.3-10 is what all new cell equipment is and will be using, especially as we
move into 5G.

Either series though is a big upgrade to the N in mechanical robustness.

-Steve K8LX

On 06/27/18 17:01 PM, john at kk9a.com wrote:

Is the 4.1-9.5 a new connector. It looks like the chassis jack is the same
size as a SO-239 and N which would make an easy swap. I also found a
4.3-10 chassis jack which has a hole pattern close enough that it may fit.
These Mini-DIN's could be a  great upgrade without severely modifying
equipment except I have found few connectors, especially for the 4.1-9.5
that you mentioned. Finding connectors for smaller RG-400 coax is even
more challenging.