Questions tagged [connectors]
Questions about RF connectors, including the properties of specific types and how to use them.
54 questions
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What is this radio antenna connector called?
I have this radio antenna, and need to replace the coaxial cable, but cannot figure out what this connection is called?
1
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1
answer
69
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What are the electrical properties and connectors of a CW key?
I'm working on a simple homebrew design and want to connect a CW key to it. (The basic design can use a simple built in pushbutton key, but I'd like to be able to purchase a proper key and use it as ...
- 301
5
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2
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738
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What is this (dangerous) connector type that looks like SMA?
At a hamfest, I recently bought a few RF adapters that I thought were BNC to SMA:
However, when I tried to use one, it ended up destroying the SMA male plug on the cable I attached to it. It pushed ...
- 2,057
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2
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loosening frozen coax connectors
I have purchased some 2M yagis which were removed from service. the coax connectors have BNC adaptors screwed into them which have become frozen in place with weather exposure. Is there a way to ...
- 1,102
7
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1
answer
222
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How do you solder/crimp a 90-degree BNC connector?
I ordered this 90-degree BNC connector, but I'm not sure how to connect the center pin. The back of it looks like this:
The small screw plate threads into the back when you're done connecting the ...
- 859
6
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1
answer
227
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All male BNC connectors have a rubber gasket: are they rain-proof by design?
This question is about the BNC connection interface itself and not how the coax is attached (assume the coax is attached in a rain-proof way).
While inspecting a male BNC connector we noticed that ...
- 859
3
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1
answer
153
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What are the implications of increasing the coaxial cable length using connectors?
So the antenna spine (suspended line that was holding up the centre insulator) came apart. I've moved the centre insulator elsewhere. The move means my existing coaxial cable is now around 40ft short.
...
- 2,834
1
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2
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101
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What is the name of this connector?
It's the TTL connector on an MFJ-1270. The pins are 1/10" spacing, but I don't know what it's called so I can order another one.
- 959
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3
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323
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Is a UHF connector any real disadvantage off the transmitter circuit board or at an antenna feedpoint?
I have a discone antenna intended for use in the 25-1300 MHz frequency range, but it uses a SO-239 connector.
Now, we know that the so-called "UHF" i.e. the PL-259 male plug and SO-239 ...
- 7,469
3
votes
1
answer
153
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What is this BNC-type radio connector about 13mm diameter?
What is this radio connector? LIKE BNC, but it is about 13mm in diameter, odd.
Follow up:
It turns out putting a sma BNC adapter in the center of it does work.
In place of a "C" or "N&...
- 241
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2
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109
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SMA 3.5mm to Baofeng or similar radio
My friend just got a 2006 Chevy Calorado and it came installed with an 3.5mm SMA cable running from the roof to under the dash. It was a park ranger vehicle so it would make sense that they needed a ...
- 111
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210
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How to choose antenna "pigtail" pragmatically?
I'm starting to tinker with an RTL-SDR (generic, and cheap, so nothing fancy in any respect, hence the "pragmatic" in my question title).
It's clear that the antenna provided (about a foot ...
- 383
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1
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130
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How do I connect a homebrew antenna using RX-8 to a Yaesu FT-70DR (SMA)?
I made an 2m / 70cm tape measure antenna using RG-8 coax. That part was quite a bit of fun and went fine. But when I tried to connect the coax to my Yaesu FT-70DR, the copper core of the RG-8 was too ...
- 13
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1
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How did SMA connector size become standard?
I'm working on a project in microfluidics and it has become apparent that a significant challenge to overcome is a lack of consensus in connector design.
I have been thinking about my time working ...
- 13
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3
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401
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Lab599 Discovery TX-500 connectors?
The Lab599 Discovery TX-500 is coming out soon. A lot has been said about that radio's use of weather-resistant proprietary connectors, but what are the actual connector types?
The antenna is female ...
- 327
4
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2
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818
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How do I know if my coax connectors are good?
In installed a couple of compression style PL-259 connectors to the ends of RG8/U FOAM coax. It's about 16 feet in length. Here is an example of one of the connectors:
How do I know if the coax is &...
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1
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517
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How to deal with foil shield when adding a connector?
I want to crimp a connector onto some RG58 A/U cable. The cable has a foil shield under the braided shield. What's the recommended way to deal with the foil?
Should I treat it just like the braided ...
- 1,023
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1
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2k
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SO-239 (UHF) vs N connector power handling on 160m
I am curious how much CW power an N connector or SO-239 connector will handle on such a low frequency like 160m band. I know on VHF they will probably handle about 800W before getting too warm.
I ...
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1
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PL-259/SO-239 vs N Type vs BNC which is best connector to use when?
I understand that the:
PL-259/SO-239 connector (so-called "UHF connector") isn't great for UHF frequencies, but is very common
N type connector is water-proof; and the
BNC connector is quick to ...
- 872
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1
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232
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Terminating double-shielded coax
When terminating coax (e.g. RG-400) that has an outer braid over an inner braid onto an SO-239 chassis mount, do we want to solder both the inner and outer braids together onto the ground of the SO-...
- 791
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2
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What is inside a 50 ohm termination?
I see RF applications requiring 50 ohm termination to avoid any open port reflections. Curious what is actually inside a 50 ohm termination connector. Is it simply a 50 ohm resistor? But then it is ...
- 159
2
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1
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290
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Using an OPC-478 programming cable for CI-V
I have an [clone of] an Icom OPC-478 programming cable for my IC-208H. I thought I read that I can use that same cable to do CI-V with my IC-706 if I can find an 1/8" mono (male) to 1/8" stereo (...
- 959
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2
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3k
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What cable is needed in order to record audio from a Baofeng UV-5x3 on a computer?
I would like to be able to connect my radio to my computer in order to record audio. It seems like this would just be a matter of getting the right cable, but after trying a few cables (listed below), ...
- 45
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4
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3k
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Is there any downside to consolidating on BNC connectors for HF?
I'm new to ham and quickly finding that the new and old equipment I'm accumulating at an alarming rate has an equally alarming array of connectors:
UHF PL-259
BNC
SMA
Type N
Is there any downside to ...
- 864
2
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3
answers
1k
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Connecting TNC-Pi to Kenwood TM-241A
I am looking into connecting a TNC-Pi to a Kenwood TM-241A for AMPRNet operation. I thought it was going to be fairly straightforward as each pin on the TNC-Pi seemed to have its own analogue on the ...
- 121
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3
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1k
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Radio stops receiving as soon as the antenna is threaded all the way
Is it normal for the antenna connector of the radio to have 18ohm resistance between the inner socket(signal) and the thread (ground)?
When I connect the antenna, it works fine if only the inner plug ...
- 203
10
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1
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815
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How terminate RG8 coaxial cable using PL259 (UHF) - screw - gasket - solder type?
Today I came across a problem in terminating RG8 cable using this PL259 plug.
I have never had this type and it arrived in a pile of parts; I have tried to puzzle it together but without positive ...
- 101
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235
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What is this connector?
It is the size of a BNC but has threads. For an RF output.
I need to adapt it to SO-239.
----------------------------------------------
Tip o' The Hat to Glenn and Scott. TNC it is.
This cable ...
- 2,097
0
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1
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Yaesu FT-450D How to troubleshoot problems with the Keyer jack
I am a big fan of the Yaesu FT-450D but there is one really frustrating quirk that took some time to figure out.
The FT-450 has a keyer jack on the front panel. It is the lower of two 1/8 inch ...
- 2,097
12
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1
answer
393
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Is there a special name (and if so what is it) for this flush-style SMA variant?
I have some radios that have a special antenna connector. It looks like an SMA connector, but the dielectric is flush with the end of the connector:
rather than recessed the way "normal" SMA ...
- 2,057
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3
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2k
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SMA connector sizes
So, I'm currently tinkering with a RTL SDR dongle and want to put an external antenna in the proper way (i.e. not by soldering a random wire on the included mcx terminated coax)
I was about to buy a ...
- 13
4
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3
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887
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What kind of antenna connector is this?
I'm looking for antennas to attach to my CB radio. This one is a "rubber ducky" antenna.
I'm not sure what the connector is, can anyone identify it for me?
[edit] Here are some other pictures
- 143
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2
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394
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Identify this “large TNC” coax connector
I have recently acquired a nice looking dummy load on military surplus sale. Being relatively new to the hobby, I assumed the connector on it was something common. Turns out it is not. So far nobody ...
- 143
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2
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597
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1
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1
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135
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Ramsey's DDF1 with a SMA connector
Need some help with my Ramsey DDF1. It comes with telescopic antennas and my son has accidentally stepped on and broken one. I'm taking the opportunity to replace them with a SMA connector and ...
- 123
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1
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93
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Magnetic antenna for the UV8000E
I have the new UV8000E ht and I'm trying to find a magnetic antenna or at least the adapter that allows the unit to be attached to a pl259 connector.
I have no clue what the connector is other than ...
0
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2
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661
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How to substitute a U229 connector?
The rig I'm possessed of is a homebrew from a fellow ham in a manpack case (GE524).
The audio connector is a 5-pin 3-point all-weather bayonet mount from the heritage of the manpack.
The trouble is .....
- 2,834
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7
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3k
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How do I separate dovetailed PowerPole housings?
Anderson PowerPole connector housings can be joined side-to-side using dovetail joints molded into the plastic to make a multi-conductor connector, as seen in the conventional amateur radio 12V power ...
- 25k
7
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3
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3k
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On Anderson Powerpoles, does the red on go on the left or right?
When attaching a red and black pair of Powerpoles together, which way should I do it to ensure that it will plug into the most number of other people's gear?
When looking from the top of the ...
- 339
2
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2
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2k
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Measuring Connector Impedance
Before discovering that connectors can have characteristic impedance, I ordered a bunch of adapters. I've noticed that I'm getting really sub-par performance out of the antennas I'm using and think I ...
- 813
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2
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25k
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Does the Baofeng UV-5R accept both male and female SMA connectors?
Most antennas for the Baofeng UV-5R have male connectors, but the UV-5R actually has a larger diameter set of threads that look like they'd accept a female connector. Is that true? Is it a female SMA, ...
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3
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433
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What is this large, flat microwave coaxial connector?
I picked up a random piece of RF hardware at a flea market. I'd like to know what these unusual connectors on it are.
The jack is flat on its face except for the gold ring. Inside the gold ring ...
- 25k
3
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1
answer
637
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Can I use an RG-8X crimper/stripper on LMR-240?
From all my reading online it seems LMR-240 and RG-8X are only about .002 inches apart in diameter and most connectors/tools that support one support the other. I'm looking for a crimper and stripper ...
- 744
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2
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4k
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How to hook up my computer's audio output to my CB Radio?
I own this simple CB Radio: http://www.cbforumas.lt/upload/manuals/alan/alan_42_um.pdf
I would like to connect its 2.5mm microphone jack and my computer's 3.5mm audio out jack. I have tried simple ...
- 143
23
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4
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27k
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What's the pinout for "Kenwood" 2.5mm TRS/3.5 mm TRS connector?
I've seen many Chinese HTs (Baofeng, Puxing, Wouxun, QuanSheng etc.) using the so-called "Kenwood connector", which has a 2.5 mm TRS connector and a 3.5 mm TRS connector. It looks something like this:
...
- 2,942
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5
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Why are some electrical connectors silver plated?
Silver is pretty expensive. Unlike gold, it will tarnish in air. Why then would anyone bother to plate connectors with it? Does it have some unique electrical characteristics that make it useful?
- 52.4k
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8
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Why are some electrical contacts gold plated?
Gold is really expensive. Why then would anyone bother to plate connectors with it? Does it have some unique electrical characteristics that make it useful?
- 52.4k
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3
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6k
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How do I extend broken coaxial cable?
I have a piece of 75 ohm coaxial cable of unknown type (outer diameter is around 7 mm) which has developed a breakage in the center conductor (which is stranded). This cable is an adapter cable which ...
- 2,942
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1
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308
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What is this RF connector?
And what will I need to mount it in my wall?
I'd like to mount it similar to the below images in my wall. Will I need any additional adapters/converters?
So to put all my questions in one place:
...
- 1,754
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1
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2k
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What are the most common RF connectors encountered in amateur radio? [closed]
SO-239, PL-259, UHF, NMO, SMA male/female, reverse SMA, oh my! Some of these may even refer to the same thing with different names. Can someone list the most common connector types and show a picture ...
- 1,754