Hi David. Very informative video on some of the stuff we all use. By the way, can you help me find some used macroscopes (similar to the type I saw in your shack)? I am desperate for one for troubleshooting boards and the like. Thanks and 73 // Earle // WB3EFE
Great video! If I can just add my two cent: N-type: this is the "universal" between-instruments connector. The manufacturers wanting to show that their equipment is high performance will specify those up to 18, 21 and even 26 GHz. I personally found some resonances at around 15 GHz sometimes. The repeatability depends on the frequency of course, but let's just say it is around 0.03 dB (1 percent). To me this is a robust connector. (50 Ohm, but 75 Ohm is available too; BEWARE, DAMAGE). SMA: is the universal inside-the-instrument connector. There are multiple variations for up to 110 GHz, beautiful connectors that you can only dream of... but your cheap one-dollar connector is good for 10 GHz, only limited by the cable. Not for power transmission however! BNC: is the only spring loaded connector. I found it quite robust, in spite of its reputation. Use only below 100 MHz however. Not for powefull signals. Other types are PROFESSIONAL products that will end up costing much much more. I would like to mention that if you transmit above 1 KW, then you are close to technology limitations, and no equipment will support extreme operator's abuse. However if you transmit 100 W or less then any decent equipment can be put in operation at a reasonable cost. (Low power) RF technology is simple to understand and can be fun...
I really appreciate and enjoy your insights and information your providing. I do have a question about fm low power antenna. Will contact you about this. Thanks. Rod nelson msui hi.
Is LMR400 suitable for portable use for ARES events or is it necessary to use LMR400UF? - How does LMR400 hold up to being coiled and uncoiled if setting up temporary radio stations out in the field? Simon
I use MPD cables for test equipment interfaces to antenna coax. You pay much more but the quality of cables and craftsmanship on their connections can't be beat in my opinion. Being in Canada shipping costs are high but thats how much I want their cable assemblies.
04:35 "About the only folks still using them (PL259 connectors) are Amateur Radio Operators..." Really? What about the CB radio market segment? Both UHF and 11M radios sold here are fitted with SO239s which is a pity as N connectors are much better for 477Mhz. Commercial/Business radio platforms utilise either BNC or N type and have for years
@@hobbified Have to disagree about be nearly non existent. While CB is not nearly as poplular as in the 70s they do still have a cult following and many are still joining the ranks. Many new CB radios are being produced and sold everyday. Go to Facebook and search CB radio. There is no end to list of pages and groups dedicated to CBs.
@@Vegan123 I would disagree, not Amateur Radio Operators but Radio Enthusiasts because not all CB'ers have a working understanding of radio operation and technical aspects.
Brilliant video, only thing that you and he did not mention was the BNC , you can get 75 ohm and 50 ohm connector in this class would be nice to mention how to tell the difference and might save someone damaging thier scanner or QRP rig. Just a thought, find your video's to be one of the better ones out there.Well done 73's de M0JFE
One thing he didn't mention is in a pinch you can plug an "N" male into a "BNC" female........say plugging a piece of RG213 with an "N" connector into a test device with a "BNC" panel mount.......seen this done in Labs all over the place in a pinch and still maintain 50 ohms impedance across the connector.....
A little semantics: The term “plastic” or thermoplastic was coined to distinguish some man-made materials from others that were called thermoset type, (bakelite, phenolic). The thermoset materials don’t melt, they get destroyed with excess heat. In that respect, teflon belongs to the thermoplastic group, even though its melting temperature is considerably higher than other common plastics. As a further classification, a term elastomer was coined for various rubber-like materials that are basically in the thermoset group regarding reprocessing, but otherwise different from the customary hard feel of ordinary thermosets. A curious case is Viton, that feels like some rubbers, but at the same time has temperature rating matching or even exceeding that of teflon. Speaking of misuse of material terms, I bet everybody has heard people talking about steel vs metal. For those people I would want to yell: STEEL IS METAL! I know where their misnomer came - they don’t say “non-ferrous metals” when they talk about everything else as just ‘metal’.
I watch all of your videos, Dave... and enjoy them all, I always learn something new with each video. The two videos with Ray have been the most educational for me...... thanks for doing them. It has been most helpful....de WØFW
Great video. So what do you do then? If N connectors are impedance matched and SO239 are not if you use N connectors everywhere in the system you still need to convert so you can connect to the pl239 on the radio. Waterproof is great and less loss is great but there is still a weak link in the chain right at the back of the radio. Would it be worth changing the connection on the back of the radio? These are just a few of the thoughts this video stirred up. Thanks for the videos.
The amount of loss introduced by a single connection is not that much. If you are adventurous and your radio is out of warranty, you can change the chassis connector to an N connector.
Yes they do make great cables. I like them so much I order from them, at a greater expense for the quality and have them shipped to Canada. Everything from BNC cables for my test equipment interfaces to coax for my antennas. They are top notch in my opinion.
I read somewhere that the PL259 is a better choice than 'N' when connecting through a Lightning / Surge Protector, because the centre pin is thicker. Hopefully this is true because I just ordered a number of the PL259 style Protectors. If the rest of the cable path from 450MHz antenna to radio is 'N' and RG213, is the PL259 Protector section likely to cause a large loss? Total run Antenna to Radio is 30 metres. Look forward to your advice. 73 VJ2FALF
What would be the concern with the thinner pin in the N connector with regards to lightning surge protection? If the pin can potentially act as a fuse, then I don't see a problem. In reality, if an antenna is struck my lightning, you're replacing the antenna and coax at the absolute minimum if you're lucky.
No. Although Baofeng do seem to insist on using a male SMA connector on the radio where most HTs that use SMA use a female connector on the radio. Those little pins can break and I'd rather lose an antenna than a radio.
Excellent series!!!
GREAT INFO THANKS
Another informative video my friend. Speaking to the manufacturer adds so much more to the knowledge base. Keep the videos going Dave. :)
Hi David. Very informative video on some of the stuff we all use. By the way, can you help me find some used macroscopes (similar to the type I saw in your shack)? I am desperate for one for troubleshooting boards and the like. Thanks and 73 // Earle // WB3EFE
Great video! If I can just add my two cent:
N-type: this is the "universal" between-instruments connector. The manufacturers wanting to show that their equipment is high performance will specify those up to 18, 21 and even 26 GHz. I personally found some resonances at around 15 GHz sometimes. The repeatability depends on the frequency of course, but let's just say it is around 0.03 dB (1 percent). To me this is a robust connector. (50 Ohm, but 75 Ohm is available too; BEWARE, DAMAGE).
SMA: is the universal inside-the-instrument connector. There are multiple variations for up to 110 GHz, beautiful connectors that you can only dream of... but your cheap one-dollar connector is good for 10 GHz, only limited by the cable. Not for power transmission however!
BNC: is the only spring loaded connector. I found it quite robust, in spite of its reputation. Use only below 100 MHz however. Not for powefull signals.
Other types are PROFESSIONAL products that will end up costing much much more.
I would like to mention that if you transmit above 1 KW, then you are close to technology limitations, and no equipment will support extreme operator's abuse.
However if you transmit 100 W or less then any decent equipment can be put in operation at a reasonable cost. (Low power) RF technology is simple to understand and can be fun...
I really appreciate and enjoy your insights and information your providing.
I do have a question about fm low power antenna. Will contact you about this.
Thanks.
Rod nelson msui hi.
There was another military coax fittings that looked like a "N" connector, but larger.
Thank you. A lot of useful information.
Isnt RG-400 & 393 ³/⅙" capabilities above 10k watts . Why did he say the thicker the better ?
Wow, how would we know if not for this video.
Is LMR400 suitable for portable use for ARES events or is it necessary to use LMR400UF? - How does LMR400 hold up to being coiled and uncoiled if setting up temporary radio stations out in the field?
Simon
Classic LMR 400 is designed for permanent installations. There are more flexible versions of LMR 400, or you can just use RG 213.
I use MPD cables for test equipment interfaces to antenna coax. You pay much more but the quality of cables and craftsmanship on their connections can't be beat in my opinion. Being in Canada shipping costs are high but thats how much I want their cable assemblies.
04:35 "About the only folks still using them (PL259 connectors) are Amateur Radio Operators..."
Really? What about the CB radio market segment? Both UHF and 11M radios sold here are fitted with SO239s which is a pity as N connectors are much better for 477Mhz.
Commercial/Business radio platforms utilise either BNC or N type and have for years
By the name and the comment I guess you're Austrialian, but the "CB radio market segment" is pretty near nonexistent in most of the rest of the world.
@@hobbified Have to disagree about be nearly non existent. While CB is not nearly as poplular as in the 70s they do still have a cult following and many are still joining the ranks. Many new CB radios are being produced and sold everyday. Go to Facebook and search CB radio. There is no end to list of pages and groups dedicated to CBs.
CB Radio Operators are still Amateur Radio Operators albeit mostly not licensed probably because no license would be required.
@@Vegan123 I would disagree, not Amateur Radio Operators but Radio Enthusiasts because not all CB'ers have a working understanding of radio operation and technical aspects.
Brilliant video, only thing that you and he did not mention was the BNC , you can get 75 ohm and 50 ohm connector in this class would be nice to mention how to tell the difference and might save someone damaging thier scanner or QRP rig.
Just a thought, find your video's to be one of the better ones out there.Well done 73's de M0JFE
They mentioned BNC and TNC connectors.
Great video Dave. I learned a lot in this video. Thanks!
One thing he didn't mention is in a pinch you can plug an "N" male into a "BNC" female........say plugging a piece of RG213 with an "N" connector into a test device with a "BNC" panel mount.......seen this done in Labs all over the place in a pinch and still maintain 50 ohms impedance across the connector.....
Some great information there, We learn everyday.... Thanks from The UK :)
Not just wifi. Some 900 MHZ radio modems use RP SMA connectors.
A little semantics: The term “plastic” or thermoplastic was coined to distinguish some man-made materials from others that were called thermoset type, (bakelite, phenolic). The thermoset materials don’t melt, they get destroyed with excess heat. In that respect, teflon belongs to the thermoplastic group, even though its melting temperature is considerably higher than other common plastics. As a further classification, a term elastomer was coined for various rubber-like materials that are basically in the thermoset group regarding reprocessing, but otherwise different from the customary hard feel of ordinary thermosets. A curious case is Viton, that feels like some rubbers, but at the same time has temperature rating matching or even exceeding that of teflon.
Speaking of misuse of material terms, I bet everybody has heard people talking about steel vs metal. For those people I would want to yell: STEEL IS METAL! I know where their misnomer came - they don’t say “non-ferrous metals” when they talk about everything else as just ‘metal’.
I watch all of your videos, Dave... and enjoy them all, I always learn something new with each video. The two videos with Ray have been the most educational for me...... thanks for doing them. It has been most helpful....de WØFW
Excellent video with great information but like someone said, it would have been better if we could have seen the actual connectors
Yes, skype has limitations. I don't have local examples of the N, TNC, etc, or I would have superimposed them.
Lucky for you, you have the internet, which is well-known for its ability to show people *all kinds* of pictures with minimal effort.
Great video. So what do you do then? If N connectors are impedance matched and SO239 are not if you use N connectors everywhere in the system you still need to convert so you can connect to the pl239 on the radio. Waterproof is great and less loss is great but there is still a weak link in the chain right at the back of the radio. Would it be worth changing the connection on the back of the radio? These are just a few of the thoughts this video stirred up. Thanks for the videos.
The amount of loss introduced by a single connection is not that much. If you are adventurous and your radio is out of warranty, you can change the chassis connector to an N connector.
Is this a repeat? I thought I watched this on your channel a while back. KB8AMZ
Different questions. We may have covered some of the same material.
they make great cables and are just down the road in Albany Georgia. I'm closer to macon.
Yes they do make great cables. I like them so much I order from them, at a greater expense for the quality and have them shipped to Canada. Everything from BNC cables for my test equipment interfaces to coax for my antennas. They are top notch in my opinion.
Great video. Thank you
Informative and interesting. Thanks!
Thanks, a lot of good info.
A very enlightening discussion! Thanks so much.
Thanks, a great video, very informative
A very good interview. It would be nice if he could have had a better camera or cameraman to show the connectors better.
Thank you, and 73s
Yes, Skype is not the best.
I read somewhere that the PL259 is a better choice than 'N' when connecting through a Lightning / Surge Protector, because the centre pin is thicker.
Hopefully this is true because I just ordered a number of the PL259 style Protectors.
If the rest of the cable path from 450MHz antenna to radio is 'N' and RG213, is the PL259 Protector section likely to cause a large loss? Total run Antenna to Radio is 30 metres.
Look forward to your advice.
73
VJ2FALF
What would be the concern with the thinner pin in the N connector with regards to lightning surge protection? If the pin can potentially act as a fuse, then I don't see a problem. In reality, if an antenna is struck my lightning, you're replacing the antenna and coax at the absolute minimum if you're lucky.
All of my lightning protectors have PL 259 style connectors
David Casler Well that's a relief 😊
And I assume your 2m and 70cm still work OK. ?
That was a very informative video, as are all your others. Thank you :)
Usacoax doesn't list lmr600 coax on website
No. You'll have to call them and order it
So Satellite connector should work?
RP is used a lot in GPS connectors for marine and some in RC radio antennas
your interviews are great - maybe you can do more with other manufacturers?
I'm willing to talk to anyone. I'll have to look to some others.
one exception is the Baofang radio antenna is RP
No. Although Baofeng do seem to insist on using a male SMA connector on the radio where most HTs that use SMA use a female connector on the radio. Those little pins can break and I'd rather lose an antenna than a radio.