PL-259 vs BNC vs. RCA?
 

I need to make some field antenna cables and connectors using RG-174/U
cable. If for for reasons of convenience and cost I use metal RCA
connectors, with there be a material difference in insertion loss?

Ken KC2JDY

Ken
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remove "zz" from address)

Ken wrote:
I need to make some field antenna cables and connectors using RG-174/U
cable. If for for reasons of convenience and cost I use metal RCA
connectors, with there be a material difference in insertion loss?

Ken KC2JDY

No, unless they're outside and can get corroded.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

"Ken" wrote in message
...
I need to make some field antenna cables and connectors using RG-174/U
cable. If for for reasons of convenience and cost I use metal RCA
connectors, with there be a material difference in insertion loss?


there will probably be some impedance mismatch but in most cases the extra
loss will probably be minimal. worse than that are the mechanical and
weather proofing problems. they are much worse on rca than either bnc or
uhf connectors. i would also worry about high power rf through them. if
they are only for short term use and in a weatherproof enclosure and being
used for low power or just rx then there shouldn't be a problem.

...
I need to make some field antenna cables and connectors using RG-174/U
cable. If for for reasons of convenience and cost I use metal RCA
connectors, with there be a material difference in insertion loss?


there will probably be some impedance mismatch but in most cases the extra
loss will probably be minimal. worse than that are the mechanical and
weather proofing problems. they are much worse on rca than either bnc or
uhf connectors. i would also worry about high power rf through them. if
they are only for short term use and in a weatherproof enclosure and being
used for low power or just rx then there shouldn't be a problem.


Using 174 coax you do not have to worry about the power ratings of the
connectors. Some of the GE rigs used the RCA connectors at levels of 100
watts . The older Heathkit low band rigs used them on their 100 watt rigs.

"Dave" wrote in message
...

"Ken" wrote in message
...
I need to make some field antenna cables and connectors using RG-174/U
cable. If for for reasons of convenience and cost I use metal RCA
connectors, with there be a material difference in insertion loss?


there will probably be some impedance mismatch but in most cases the extra
loss will probably be minimal.

Mismatch between what and what? Neither the UHF or RCA or constant Z
connectors to begin with. The antenna is likely not 50 Ohms, at least across
any bandwidth, the rig is probably not 50 Ohms.

Dale W4OP

On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 07:03:20 -0500, Ken wrote:
I need to make some field antenna cables and connectors using RG-174/U
cable. If for for reasons of convenience and cost I use metal RCA
connectors, with there be a material difference in insertion loss?

Ken KC2JDY

No problem at all: At 174 kcs. you'll never notice the difference.

Jonesy
--
| Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | linux
| Gunnison, Colorado | @ | Jonesy | OS/2 __
| 7,703' -- 2,345m | config.com | DM68mn SK

Ken, KC2JDY wrote:
"---RCA connectors, will there be a material difference in insertion
loss?"

The RCA pin size is large enough for low resistance contact, and
insulation quality can be good enough for low leakage. RCA connectors
were routinely used in Motorola 2-way radios to make connection to its
internal receiver 455 KHz intermediate frequency filter. This says
nothing about possible loss but does indicate suitabikity for some RF
applications.

Outside world RF connection to Mottorola 2-way radios was usually via
the familiar "UHF" (SO-239). These stay connected when yanked and are
simple and easy to connect to the coax. A bonus is that the
center-conductor pin socked is designed to accept a banana plug.

All common coax connectors are usually too short to represent much of an
impedance bunp.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI

Richard Harrison wrote:

Ken, KC2JDY wrote:
"---RCA connectors, will there be a material difference in insertion
loss?"

The RCA pin size is large enough for low resistance contact, and
insulation quality can be good enough for low leakage. RCA connectors
were routinely used in Motorola 2-way radios to make connection to its
internal receiver 455 KHz intermediate frequency filter. This says
nothing about possible loss but does indicate suitabikity for some RF
applications.

Outside world RF connection to Mottorola 2-way radios was usually via
the familiar "UHF" (SO-239). These stay connected when yanked and are
simple and easy to connect to the coax. A bonus is that the
center-conductor pin socked is designed to accept a banana plug.

All common coax connectors are usually too short to represent much of an
impedance bunp.

Best regards, Richard Harrison, KB5WZI

The RCA connector has been demonstrated to show a flat response from DC
to Light. The only problem with this connector is that it is hard solder
coax to the blasted thing.

Dave WD9BDZ

The RCA connector has been demonstrated to show a flat response from DC
to Light. The only problem with this connector is that it is hard solder
coax to the blasted thing.

Dave WD9BDZ

Can you direct me to the data that verifies this?

Dale W4OP

Specify the operating frequency range. Up to 100 MHz, not a problem. At 10
GHz I'd worry about it.

Jim



"Ken" wrote in message
...
I need to make some field antenna cables and connectors using RG-174/U
cable. If for for reasons of convenience and cost I use metal RCA
connectors, with there be a material difference in insertion loss?

Ken KC2JDY

Ken
(to reply via email
remove "zz" from address)

"Dale Parfitt" wrote in message
news:5YiBd.11435$hc7.1718@trnddc06...

The RCA connector has been demonstrated to show a flat response from DC
to Light. The only problem with this connector is that it is hard solder
coax to the blasted thing.

Dave WD9BDZ

Can you direct me to the data that verifies this?

Dale W4OP



Take a look at http://www.nwham.net/w7zoi/rca_plugs.html for an example of
using RCA connectors at VHF.

Bill AF4B

"Dale Parfitt" wrote in message
news:5YiBd.11435$hc7.1718@trnddc06...

The RCA connector has been demonstrated to show a flat response from DC
to Light. The only problem with this connector is that it is hard solder
coax to the blasted thing.

Dave WD9BDZ

Can you direct me to the data that verifies this?

i just tried to shine a laser through one and the wire got in the way...
100% loss i would say.