[TowerTalk] Long Term Connector Reliability

[Danny K5CG]

Use N connectors everywhere possible. They are designed to be waterproof and as well, are impedance controlled.

I have, and I think "we" typically spend thousands on gear. A few more dollars on N is worth it, IMHO.


----- Original Message -----
> From: "Raymond Benny" <rayn6vr at gmail.com>
> To: john at kk9a.com
> Cc: "towertalk" <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2022 11:56:05 AM
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Long Term Connector Reliability

> I have recently had two PL 259s and mating SO234s develop black crud at
> their contact point. Rx was fine but on Tx a very high SWL resulted at the
> rig.
> 
> In both cases I totally cleaned the male PL259 pin and SO234 female
> receptacle, all is now fine.
> 
> My thought is that somehow a slight bit of moisture got inside and caused
> arcing at the contact point. One connection lasted 12 years, the other abt
> 4 years. I have never put any grease or silicone on a PL259 or SO234.
> 
> Any thoughts on this internal arcing and how to prevent it?
> 
> Ray,
> N6VR/W7YA
> 
> 
> On Fri, Jul 22, 2022, 6:53 PM <john at kk9a.com> wrote:
> 
>> I have PL-259 and N connectors in use that are likely that old however none
>> have stayed connected anywhere near that time frame. It is a good question
>> but you cannot really complain about 25 years of service. I do not apply
>> anything inside the connector and use quality connectors such as Amphenol
>> and Andrew/Commscope.  W8JI has an article on grease and he states
>> conductive grease should never be used in RF connectors.
>> https://www.w8ji.com/dielectric_grease_vs_conductive_grease.htm
>>
>> GL
>> John KK9A
>>
>>
>>
>> k7nj wrote:
>>
>> After over 25 years I've found some problems with connector conductivity at
>> my 4X4NJ station.  I would be interested in knowing about experience that
>> any of you may have with reliable connector conductivity for  similar time
>> periods. This is primarily with PL-259, N-Type, and hard-line  connectors
>> and associated adapters.  In particular, any experience with the following
>> would be helpful:
>>
>> 1.       Nothing done to ensure conductivity
>>
>> 2.       Silicon grease
>>
>> 3.       Penetrox (or similar)
>>
>> 4.       "STUF" dielectric water proofing filler
>>
>> I'm interested mainly in actual experience that you have had after many
>> years of using any of the above, or other, methods.  Please note that I'm
>> not seeking methods for waterproofing - just in keeping the connection
>> between mating surfaces highly conductive assuming waterproofing is good.
>>
>> 73, Riki K7NJ
>>
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>>
>>
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