John Ferrell wrote:
I was being intentionally vague. I was hoping for some experiences or
maybe even documentation. I have never seen it for anything other than
small signal use.


If you are looking for direct experience....

My M2 six meter Yagi's use F connectors and I regularly run 1000-1200
watts CW on six meters into one antenna.

The F connectors are in a coaxial feed for a T match, and the way they
are configured each connector has half the line current but there is
full line voltage on each connector. That's on six meters, and I mostly
work CW (sometimes for a few hours straight).

I've used CATV hardline to F connectors for dipoles on HF many times. I
used RG-6 style cable to feed dipoles for low bands, and the F
connectors never failed even with high power.

I was a little scared of the RG-6 and F connectors on my M2 antenna
feed system, but it has not been a problem. I never worried about 1500
watts at 160-40 meters and failure never was an issue. I high pot test
F connector cable assemblies to about 2000 volts peak, so I expect
current or moisture would be the limit.

73 Tom

On 15 May 2006 18:21:56 -0700, wrote:


watts at 160-40 meters and failure never was an issue. I high pot test
F connector cable assemblies to about 2000 volts peak, so I expect
current or moisture would be the limit.

Tom, whilst they are likely to withstand thousands of volts, small
coaxial cables are unlikely to withstand the heat from the
corresponding current if applied for sufficient time.

The focus in this discussion seems to be solely on the voltage
withstand capability, whereas loss / ability to dissipate heat /
temperature rise as installed are relevant and may be more
constraining.

Owen
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Owen Duffy wrote:
On 15 May 2006 18:21:56 -0700, wrote:


watts at 160-40 meters and failure never was an issue. I high pot test
F connector cable assemblies to about 2000 volts peak, so I expect
current or moisture would be the limit.

Tom, whilst they are likely to withstand thousands of volts, small
coaxial cables are unlikely to withstand the heat from the
corresponding current if applied for sufficient time.

The focus in this discussion seems to be solely on the voltage
withstand capability, whereas loss / ability to dissipate heat /
temperature rise as installed are relevant and may be more
constraining.

Owen


But Owen, I've used a variety of F connectors for hundreds of hours at
high power at lower HF and on six meters.

He asked if anyone had direct experience, and I stated what my first
hand experience with them was.

People would be amazed at the amount of power a good grade RG-6 style
cable will handle and how much power that F connector will take.

73 Tom

On 16 May 2006 01:40:48 -0700, wrote:

....


But Owen, I've used a variety of F connectors for hundreds of hours at
high power at lower HF and on six meters.

He asked if anyone had direct experience, and I stated what my first
hand experience with them was.

People would be amazed at the amount of power a good grade RG-6 style
cable will handle and how much power that F connector will take.

Tom, I agree with you. I use selected RG-6 cable myself, and it is
greatly undervalued. But... my point was mainly, don't focus only on
breakdown voltage, it is certainly a parameter that relates to
instantaneous failure, but heat from losses (principally ohmic loss in
the centre conductor) is an issue and may be more limiting. Of course,
average power under typical voice SSB service is perhaps 2% of the
PEP, so heat becomes less an issue than under higher duty cycle modes.

Discussion of F connectors inevitably leads to RG6. BNC connectors are
readily available (at least over here) for RG6 and are my preferred
choice.

Owen
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