I will be putting up some antennas at a new location in about six weeks. I
have acquired some Times Microwave (TM) LMR-400 and LMR-600 at a good price
for the runs to and up the tower (about 200 feet total) and intend to use
something like LMR-400UF around the rotator, as has been suggested
previously on this reflector.
I intend to use N-connectors in most places, but will need UHF connectors
at some of the endpoints.
My only experience with coax connectors has been with UHF-type on RG-8 and
9913 type coax.
I have studied the TT archives, www.eham.net discussions, and various
vendors' web sites about connectors for the LMR cables, but some questions
remain.
For the LMR-600, the preferred connector seems to be the EZ-600-NMH, which
requires the infamous $400 (approx) TM crimping tool. I have not been able
to find one locally to borrow. Needing only to install a few connectors for
the LMR-600, I cannot justify the cost.
The instructions for the TC600-UMC "clamp" type connector
(http://www.timesmicrowave.com/connectors/drawings.shtml) seem daunting and
mention the need for a "high-power soldering unit in the engineering lab."
What, exactly, does that imply?
TM, offers, however, two other "EZ" connectors that do not require crimping
or soldering (EZ-600-NMC and EZ-600-NMC-2). . They have interesting install
videos (http://www.timesmicrowave.com/connectors/videos.shtml) for
EZ-600-NMH and EZ-600-NMC-2 (but not for the EZ-600-NMC, but the written
instructions seem to similar to traditional N-connectors) and EZ-600-NMC-2
seems to be really EZ (i.e., easy to install). There are also videos for
EZ-1200-NMH and EZ-1700-NMH but the structure and installation of these
connectors seems more similar to EZ-600-NMC-2 (I guess that these monster
connectors are too big to crimp!).
Other than need for special tools and time of installation, what are the
tradeoffs among the EZ-600-NMH, TC600-UMC, EZ-600-NM, and EZ-600-NMC-2? Is
there a downside to the EZ-600-NMC-2, which seems almost as EZ as the
EZ-600-NMH, but without the need for the expensive tool?
Also, because I am used to carefully soldering coax connectors, I wonder
about the integrity of the no-solder connectors. Is there anything to be
concerned about?
Finally, I imagine that there are similar issues for the TM LMR-400. I have
not studied these as carefully. I have heard conflicting views on whether
one should use standard UHF and N connectors with the LMR-400, but am
thinking of using standard, lower-cost, connectors here. What is the
current thinking on this?
Thanks,
Bill
K0KT
William Q. Meeker
Department of Statistics
304C Snedecor Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011
Phone: 515-294-5336
Fax: 515-294-4040
Home Fax: 515-232-1323
www.public.iastate.edu/~wqmeeker
_______________________________________________
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Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
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