[TowerTalk] Amphenol Connector Brands

[Jim W7RY]

I agree 100% Stan.

We used 1000's of PL-259 connectors and RG-58 reducers we purchased from 
Motorola Parts between 1979 and 1998. They were mostly Amphenol brand. 
Some were Teflon insulators/dialectic, most were not.

Not to mention the PS-259's supplied by Larsen Antennas, Antenna 
Specialists, etc... and some generic ones supplied by the later 
manufactures that supplied Motorola branded mobile antennas on all 
bands. 30 MHz through 500 Mhz.

They ALL worked fine.

BUT, since then, Ive successfully used stuff from China, and all manner 
of other un-known brands of solder-on PL-259s.

I call my self an expert when it comes to installing a PL-259 to a piece 
of RG-58 and RG-8 (RG-213). I have literally installed 1000s of them.

Always used a Weller D-550 (325 watt) soldering gun. Unless it was in 
the field where AC power was not available, then a Weller Pyropen butane 
with a very large tip. It also worked flawlessly.

*There is basically no difference in a PL-259 brand, unless they are not 
installed correctly. Brand makes no difference when a PL-259 is not 
installed and waterproofed correctly.
*

Same with a crimp on PL-259 for all types of coax. As long as they are 
installed correctly, never a failure.

73, Jim W7RY

Motorola Service Shop from 1979-1998, Motorola Corp, from 1998 to 2021. 
Ham since 1975.



On 1/1/2025 8:56 PM, Stan Stockton wrote:
> Here is my experience with UHF connectors.
>
> I’m sorry I ever bought the stuff to crimp on connectors for RG-213 sized coax.  I like the ones you solder and will probably limit my crimping to RG-400 since I have the tools.
>
> As for the Amphenol 83-1SP, I’m quite sure it’s a great connector and no doubt I have purchased many in the past but that was probably a couple decades ago.  Since then I buy Teflon insulated, silver plated connectors without a brand name on EBAY for, IDK, $2.00 each and I’m quite happy with them.
>
> I have never, ever had a situation when I have said to myself - I wish I had used a top of the line Amphenol connector.
>
> If my station consisted of a radio, an amplifier and 4 antennas using about a dozen connectors I might buy 83-1SP connectors.  However, if I were on a budget or had a hundred connectors involved, I would not pay over $10.00 for a connector that, in my experience, will not do the job any better than the $2.00 one.  If I had a total of $5,000 to spend on a new radio station, it would not even cross my mind to buy 83-1SP connectors.
>
> 73 & HNY…Stan K5GO/ZF9CW
>
>
>> On Dec 31, 2024, at 10:30 AM,john at kk9a.com wrote:
>>
>> I hope that they are not selling inferior connectors under the Amphenol
>> name.  You did not specify the connector type that K6XX is looking for.  If
>> he is using soldered UHF wouldn't the gold standard 83-1SP still be the best
>> choice?  I know that there has been some recent quality complaints about
>> this part but it is still my preferred choice for smaller cables.
>>
>> John KK9A
>>
>>
>> Jim Brown K9YC wrote:
>>
>> Since Amphenol bought up several connector mfrs, they seem to be selling
>> the output of these companies under several different Amphenol brands.
>> Neighbor K6XX needs to buy a bunch to rebuild after the wildfire
>> destroyed everything, and needs advice.
>>
>> Thanks and 73,
>> Jim K9YC
>>
>>
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