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Old March 11th 08, 10:13 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna
Roy Lewallen Roy Lewallen is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,374
Default Attenuation Questions

Jeff wrote:
" There's no mechanism within any common type of RF connector which causes
any significant amount of loss. Various types can cause some impedance
mismatch, but not enough to cause a noticeable reduction of signal to the
receiver.



Since the OP was asking about frequencies up to 1GHz, I would be more
cautious about losses in connectors. Poorly assembled connectors can show
significant losses at 1GHz. Also I have come across connectors and adaptors
(SMA) that show loss for no apparent reason at a Gig or so., now whether
this is due to dielectric losses or some other factor I am not sure but
mechanically they appeared to be prefect. One particular SMA barrel had a
stable and repeatable loss of over 2dB, but was clean and gauged OK.

Some of the cheap PL259 connectors also use very poor dielectric which show
significant loss at even VHF.

Regards
Jeff


I'm surprised at these reports, but not too much except for the 2 dB
connector. It must have had some internal corrosion, or perhaps
something like a helical internal contact causing an impedance mismatch
that would look like loss in a matched measurement system. (Some el
crappo UHF barrel adapters have found to be constructed that way.) I've
seen some awfully shoddy BNC connectors at ham conventions and wouldn't
use them for anything at all critical. But the OP asked if there was a
place he could find the losses of various kinds of connectors. I don't
believe there's any place you can go to find the losses of shoddily made
or improperly assembled connectors or adapters. Decently made and
properly assembled connectors of standard types show no appreciable loss
at 1 GHz. If loss is a concern, my advice is to buy name brand
connectors, and especially avoid the cheap stuff you see at places like
flea markets.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL