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Re: [TowerTalk] How lossy are PL-259s at HF?

To: towertalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How lossy are PL-259s at HF?
From: Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2024 08:15:35 -0500
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I'd say when it comes to loss with UHF connectors the most critical
thing is the machining of the male pin and the female cup fingers.
Amphenol females are made so that you feel some resistance when you
plug the UHF male into the jack.  That grip on the center pin is
important.  Poorly made jacks that don't make good pin contact are
where you have resistance and loss, so much so that in cases of 1 KW
continuous duty, the jack burns up after several minutes.  A good jack
will hold a PL259 body by the pin hanging down with the threaded
collar loose.  If the PL259 falls out, something is wrong, either the
male pin isn't the right size or the jack isn't holding it tight
enough.

When shopping for UHF connectors at a hamfest, bring an Amphenol male
and use it to test any connectors that have a UHF female involved.  Do
not be enticed by pretty looking jacks that are silver plated with
what appear to be teflon dielectric and gold plated pin cups.  In my
experience these off-shore jacks may fail to hold the male vertically
and will heat up if used.

73
Rob
K5UJ

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