Preferred Connector for QRP? - QRP Forum at eHam.net

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eHam.net Forum : QRP : Preferred Connector for QRP?

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Preferred Connector for QRP?	Reply
by N9OFN on October 8, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
Hello, I'm just getting into QRP/HF operation and am starting to order equipment. I've ordered a couple kits from SWL and will probably get a FT-817 eventually. My problem is that I was also looking at purchasing a Emtech ZM-2 antenna tuner and they offer one with BNC connectors and one with UHF. Then I realised, I have no idea what is the preferred connector that QRP guys use? I don't want to start a flame war over which is better, I'm just more interested in finding out which is in more common use for QRP equipment? That way in the future I can purchase more equipment without fearing that I'll need to get adaptors or yet another ZM-2... All help is appreciated. Going for my tech->extra at the end of this month. Hopefully will be on the air soon. 73's, -Jason

RE: Preferred Connector for QRP?	Reply
by WA9PWP on October 9, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
QRP gear seems to be going toward BNC connectors because they are physically smaller. A BNC/UHF adaptor can always be attached if needed.

RE: Preferred Connector for QRP?	Reply
by AD6WL on October 9, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
BNC seems to be the preffered connector. I preffer the UHF connector myself. I know that I can use a BNC/UHF adapter but that makes more to carry around which I prefer not to use. Your best bet is to see what the radios you're getting use. The SWL radio uses a BNC connector. The FT-817 has both but I'm not sure if the front BNC connector can be used for HF. The rear connector is UHF and is factory set for HF.

RE: Preferred Connector for QRP?	Reply
by W5WJP on October 10, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
The front BNC connector on the FT-817 can be used for HF.

RE: Preferred Connector for QRP?	Reply
by HFHAM2 on October 12, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
I always go with SO-239 / PL-259 on all my QRP gear. That way, it's all compatible with any "non-QRP" accessories you may buy down the road.

RE: Preferred Connector for QRP?	Reply
by W3JJH on October 12, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
Another vote for the PL-259. It's more robust and is found on more gear. If you need a minature connector, a BNC will do, but there's no reason to overly minaturize a rig. If you want a small connector, why not go all the way to an SMA? Stick with PL-259s whenever possible.

RE: Preferred Connector for QRP?	Reply
by DK3QN on October 13, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
BNC is the way to go. Should become a standard for all equipment up to the 100 watt class anyway, IMHO. This is indeed related to short-haul RG-58 and the likes in-shack coax interconnect cabling. - smaller but still easy to assemble - definite impedance, definite contacting of cable and connector - faster handling, 'bajonet' fixing instead of 'screwing' the thing onto the female connector During my HAM life I've seen much more PL connections going wrong over the life cycle than BNC connections. For long-haul and/or high power coax connections I'd use 'N' type connectors. Klaus, DK3QN

RE: Preferred Connector for QRP?	Reply
by KT8K on October 16, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
I would advise the PL-259. I just had a bnc go bad on me (though it was in a stressful position where the cable got pulled on from time to time). PL-259 are good - reliable but large. SMAs are a pain to screw/unscrew and hard to tighten (must be the thread pitch or something, or my big fingers), plus, when you add the inevitable adapter etc. you may put too much stress on the connector. My old Argonaut 509 does just great with RCA phono plugs. I probably wouldn't use them above 6 meters, though. They are only slightly larger than an SMA, cheaper, and much less trouble. Hope to work you on the air soon. 73 de kt8k - Tim (a died in the wool QRP CW enthusiast).

RE: Preferred Connector for QRP?	Reply
by ON4MGY on October 20, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
I would say the PL-259 is the best for use on HF. If you're working QRP on 144MHz or 432Mhz you should use the BNC, but for HF the PL-259 is a mot more easy. It will give you some minor losses over the BNC, but a bad soldered or mounted BNC will give a lot more losses. I know a lot of people, including myself (shame on me!!), who can't solder a BNC to a coax correctly, so for me the PL-259 is the best. 73 de ON4MGY Nic

RE: Preferred Connector for QRP?	Reply
by KC8VWM on October 21, 2003	Mail this to a friend!
Personally, I think a PL-259 makes more positive ground contact than those "loose fitting" BNC connectors. KC8VWM

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