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Re: [TowerTalk] Reliability (or not) of SMA connectors

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Reliability (or not) of SMA connectors
From: Pete Smith N4ZR <pete.n4zr@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2022 10:25:10 -0500
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
Thanks, guys - I wasn't aware of a torque standard - guess I've been spoiled by BNCs.

73, Pete N4ZR
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On 12/4/2022 10:10 AM, Michael Tope wrote:
Hi Pete,

Good SMA connectors are very reliable. They are used extensively in microwave test equipment as well as military and spaceflight hardware.

The torque spec is typically between 5 to 8 in-lbs. If you don't have a calibrated torque wrench you can snug them up with a 5/16 open-end wrench. Finger tight is okay for a quick and dirty measurement, but for anything where you want stability over time they need to be tightened with a wrench. This is especially true if the cable in question gets twisted or moved in such a way that it can transmit torque into the connector. That will loosen a hand tight connector and sometimes even a torqued connector.

73, Mike W4EF.......

On 12/4/2022 6:05 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
I'm not sure if this is the right place or not, but thought I'd ask because this is at least a feedline question.

I have a number of SMA connectors in areas of my station like my RBN SDR and my N1MM Spectrum Display.  It seems like every few weeks I start running into problems, and have to go through and retighten them to get rid of intermittent signal losses.  Is there anything that can be done to secure them better?


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