[TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

Unfortunately, if I search "Manufacturers" on the DigiKey site, there 
are dozens of listings that start with the word "Amphenol" followed
by the name of some non-Amphenol entity that has been acquired by
Amphenol.  Obviously, Amphenol is now simply a holding company
and the name no longer necessarily means anything.  Jim, with
a background in audio, will identify with the destruction of JBL
after its acquisition by Harmon-Kardon.

Specifically, at D/K, they show:

Amphenol
Amphenol Connex (Amphenol RF)
Amphenol RF
Amphenol Times Microwave

The latter name had a decent reputation at least before being acquired.

Can you give us any additional guidance as to how to identify
the "REAL" Amphenol connectors?

73
Rick N6RK

On 11/24/2023 11:53 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
> On 11/24/2023 10:59 AM, Scott Townley wrote:
>> How do I separate the wheat from the chaff?  I have a fully equipped 
>> bench...I would think the go-to would be a TDR measurement.  Any 
>> better/additional suggestions?
> 
> Look at them carefully. If they aren't labeled Amphenol or stamped with 
> MIL-spec numbers, they're junk.  It's all about mechanical construction. 
> Measurements won't show it.
> 
> I've bought surplus MIL-spec adapters at ham flea-markets. Amphenol 
> parts are sold by legacy electronics vendors like Allied, Newark, Arrow, 
> etc. There are a few ham vendors who sell them, but many also sell junk 
> connectors. The real thing is 2-3x more expensive. Here's one quality 
> vendor that sells both the real thing and the junk. They don't offer 
> quantity discounts, while the traditional electronics vendors do.
> 
> https://www.rfparts.com/sitemap
> 
> We sometimes need to study the Amphenol parts listing to know which 
> connector to buy. For example, they manufacture the solder-type PL259 
> with at least 4 different part numbers, all of which start with 83-1SP. 
> The one we want is the one with no suffix, because the body is silver 
> plated, and thus easier to solder to.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
> _______________________________________________