Hi Charles,
Yes, I converted my RCS-4 over to N connectors some 15 years ago. It was
not terribly hard but it required some patience with desoldering the
conenctors from the PCB, and then choosing a method to afix the N conenctors
to the plate. In my case I chose 4 pop rivits per connector, but before
reassemblying I also beaded solder on two sides of each N connectors to the
plate.
I saw no real advantage of the N connector other than the inherent
weather seal. Here in Texas, my boxes would become intermittent usually a
few months after our summer rains with hail. The hail would bust ou the box
and water would get in, corroding the relays and other.
I actually put N-UHF adapters on 2 of the ports so I could still use an
existing set of cables that I deemed okay. Bad planning on my part.
I was concerned about the QRO capability of the bias T feeds in the
shack controller and upstairs relay box. I have run mine up to 1500 watts
without failure but I do not know if that is typical or not.
If I had to do it over again, I would not. However I would open the
unit and inspect all the critical solder joints. I have had three RCS-4's
and found questionable (long term reliable) soldering on all three, and on
one of them the center pin on the SO-239 was not soldered at all.
73 Mike K9MK
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Charlie Gallo
Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 9:27 PM
To: TowerTalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Ameriton RCS4 and N Connectors
Hi Gang,
NOT critical, but has anyone changed a RCS-4 over to N connectors? I've
read all the pros/cons of N connectors here, but I've pretty much have
decided that where I can/as I can, I'm replacing al my PL/SO-259s with N
connectors, and was wondering is anyone converted this unit
BTW - the Reason? Last year, I had "issues" with my 80m antenna on Field
Day (I run from home - class 1E), and I THOUGHT I had it fixed. I don't
run a lot of 80m (It is a short antenna, low, but it is the best I can do on
my city lot). Anyway, This year, it failed again, but the GOOD news was it
didn't go intermittent, it failed hard. The failure was at the junction
from the Buryflex to the lighter coax going up in the air to my 80m dipole
(600w max on the traps, so...). The AMP brand UHF barrel connector had
failed - the spring fingers that grip the center conductor had become
extremely loose on one side - non conducting! I decided that at least in
that connector, I wanted to put in a female and male pair, and get rid of
the barrel, and the best way to do that was with N connectors (I did think
about 7-16 din, but)
--
73 de KG2V - Charles Gallo
Quality Custom Machine-shop work for the radio amateur (sm)
My Website: http://www.thegallos.com
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|