[TowerTalk] Reliability (or not) of SMA connectors

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Thanks, guys - I wasn't aware of a torque standard - guess I've been 
spoiled by BNCs.

73, Pete N4ZR
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On 12/4/2022 10:10 AM, Michael Tope wrote:
> Hi Pete,
>
> Good SMA connectors are very reliable. They are used extensively in 
> microwave test equipment as well as military and spaceflight hardware.
>
> The torque spec is typically between 5 to 8 in-lbs. If you don't have 
> a calibrated torque wrench you can snug them up with a 5/16 open-end 
> wrench. Finger tight is okay for a quick and dirty measurement, but 
> for anything where you want stability over time they need to be 
> tightened with a wrench. This is especially true if the cable in 
> question gets twisted or moved in such a way that it can transmit 
> torque into the connector. That will loosen a hand tight connector and 
> sometimes even a torqued connector.
>
> 73, Mike W4EF.......
>
> On 12/4/2022 6:05 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
>> I'm not sure if this is the right place or not, but thought I'd ask 
>> because this is at least a feedline question.
>>
>> I have a number of SMA connectors in areas of my station like my RBN 
>> SDR and my N1MM Spectrum Display.  It seems like every few weeks I 
>> start running into problems, and have to go through and retighten 
>> them to get rid of intermittent signal losses.  Is there anything 
>> that can be done to secure them better?
>>
>
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