[TowerTalk] Long Term Connector Reliability

[Al Kozakiewicz]

The only caveat with N connectors is if you are running power into a load that is not mostly resistive. If you have a non-resonant or partially resonant antenna like an 80M dipole that you are using a tuner to get a match over the entire 500kHz of the band, you can have voltages along the feedline that exceed the ratings for N. UHF connectors fare somewhat better in this situation.

Al
AB2ZY

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Danny K5CG
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2022 1:44 PM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Long Term Connector Reliability

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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