Years ago in another life I worked for M/A-COM who owned Omni-Specta, creme de
la creme of connectors. HP, Wilton & many military companies purchased our
connectors.
I have no idea where they are in the market today.
BTW, amateur radio & Amphenol are synonymous.
___
Sent from my two-way wrist watch
73 de W3AB/GEO
On Nov 25, 2023, 09:06, at 09:06, towertalk-request@contesting.com wrote:
>Send TowerTalk mailing list submissions to
> towertalk@contesting.com
>
>To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
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>or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> towertalk-request@contesting.com
>
>You can reach the person managing the list at
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>
>When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>than "Re: Contents of TowerTalk digest..."
>
>
>Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Looking for recommended vendors: coaxial adapters (Scott Townley)
> 2. ...and another coax adapter question (Scott Townley)
> 3. Re: ...and another coax adapter question (Jim Brown)
> 4. Re: ...and another coax adapter question
> (Richard (Rick) Karlquist)
> 5. Re: ...and another coax adapter question (Jim Brown)
> 6. Re: ...and another coax adapter question (Jack Brindle)
> 7. Re: ...and another coax adapter question (Jack Brindle)
> 8. Re: ...and another coax adapter question (Jim Brown)
> 9. Re: ...and another coax adapter question (Wayne Kline)
> 10. Re: ...and another coax adapter question (Michael Tope)
> 11. Re: ...and another coax adapter question (Rob Atkinson)
> 12. Re: ...and another coax adapter question (Charles Gallo)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:57:47 -0500
>From: Scott Townley <scott@nx7u.net>
>To: towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: [TowerTalk] Looking for recommended vendors: coaxial adapters
>Message-ID: <e2e0fb56-3151-41e5-a017-c0288463fa62@nx7u.net>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>Anyone willing to share sources?
>Looking for quality, no cheap overseas crap.
>
>Thanks,
>
>--
>Scott NX7U
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 2
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:59:16 -0500
>From: Scott Townley <scott@nx7u.net>
>To: towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID: <1dc09644-4d88-473a-add3-18c3aa42c75c@nx7u.net>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>Say I have a pile of coax adapters on my bench (we all do, right?).
>
>How do I separate the wheat from the chaff?? I have a fully equipped
>bench...I would think the go-to would be a TDR measurement.? Any
>better/additional suggestions?
>
>TIA,
>
>--
>Scott NX7U
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 3
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 11:53:58 -0800
>From: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
>To: towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID:
> <d1024a44-7c9f-41d9-a51f-779a863f1aa4@audiosystemsgroup.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>On 11/24/2023 10:59 AM, Scott Townley wrote:
>> How do I separate the wheat from the chaff?? I have a fully equipped
>> bench...I would think the go-to would be a TDR measurement.? Any
>> better/additional suggestions?
>
>Look at them carefully. If they aren't labeled Amphenol or stamped with
>
>MIL-spec numbers, they're junk. It's all about mechanical
>construction.
>Measurements won't show it.
>
>I've bought surplus MIL-spec adapters at ham flea-markets. Amphenol
>parts are sold by legacy electronics vendors like Allied, Newark,
>Arrow,
>etc. There are a few ham vendors who sell them, but many also sell junk
>
>connectors. The real thing is 2-3x more expensive. Here's one quality
>vendor that sells both the real thing and the junk. They don't offer
>quantity discounts, while the traditional electronics vendors do.
>
>https://www.rfparts.com/sitemap
>
>We sometimes need to study the Amphenol parts listing to know which
>connector to buy. For example, they manufacture the solder-type PL259
>with at least 4 different part numbers, all of which start with 83-1SP.
>
>The one we want is the one with no suffix, because the body is silver
>plated, and thus easier to solder to.
>
>73, Jim K9YC
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 4
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:30:39 -0800
>From: "Richard (Rick) Karlquist" <richard@karlquist.com>
>To: jim@audiosystemsgroup.com, towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID: <7b7a8bc1-c0a2-416e-a65e-a495898c849c@karlquist.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>Unfortunately, if I search "Manufacturers" on the DigiKey site, there
>are dozens of listings that start with the word "Amphenol" followed
>by the name of some non-Amphenol entity that has been acquired by
>Amphenol. Obviously, Amphenol is now simply a holding company
>and the name no longer necessarily means anything. Jim, with
>a background in audio, will identify with the destruction of JBL
>after its acquisition by Harmon-Kardon.
>
>Specifically, at D/K, they show:
>
>Amphenol
>Amphenol Connex (Amphenol RF)
>Amphenol RF
>Amphenol Times Microwave
>
>The latter name had a decent reputation at least before being acquired.
>
>Can you give us any additional guidance as to how to identify
>the "REAL" Amphenol connectors?
>
>73
>Rick N6RK
>
>On 11/24/2023 11:53 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
>> On 11/24/2023 10:59 AM, Scott Townley wrote:
>>> How do I separate the wheat from the chaff?? I have a fully equipped
>
>>> bench...I would think the go-to would be a TDR measurement.? Any
>>> better/additional suggestions?
>>
>> Look at them carefully. If they aren't labeled Amphenol or stamped
>with
>> MIL-spec numbers, they're junk.? It's all about mechanical
>construction.
>> Measurements won't show it.
>>
>> I've bought surplus MIL-spec adapters at ham flea-markets. Amphenol
>> parts are sold by legacy electronics vendors like Allied, Newark,
>Arrow,
>> etc. There are a few ham vendors who sell them, but many also sell
>junk
>> connectors. The real thing is 2-3x more expensive. Here's one quality
>
>> vendor that sells both the real thing and the junk. They don't offer
>> quantity discounts, while the traditional electronics vendors do.
>>
>> https://www.rfparts.com/sitemap
>>
>> We sometimes need to study the Amphenol parts listing to know which
>> connector to buy. For example, they manufacture the solder-type PL259
>
>> with at least 4 different part numbers, all of which start with
>83-1SP.
>> The one we want is the one with no suffix, because the body is silver
>
>> plated, and thus easier to solder to.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 5
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:55:37 -0800
>From: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
>To: towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID:
> <b4b69e9d-126d-4067-a357-8d0b110c9969@audiosystemsgroup.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>AARGH! Thanks, Rick. Sorry, I can't help with that.
>
>73, Jim K9YC
>
>On 11/24/2023 1:30 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
>> Unfortunately, if I search "Manufacturers" on the DigiKey site, there
>
>> are dozens of listings that start with the word "Amphenol" followed
>> by the name of some non-Amphenol entity that has been acquired by
>> Amphenol.? Obviously, Amphenol is now simply a holding company
>> and the name no longer necessarily means anything.? Jim, with
>> a background in audio, will identify with the destruction of JBL
>> after its acquisition by Harmon-Kardon.
>>
>> Specifically, at D/K, they show:
>>
>> Amphenol
>> Amphenol Connex (Amphenol RF)
>> Amphenol RF
>> Amphenol Times Microwave
>>
>> The latter name had a decent reputation at least before being
>acquired.
>>
>> Can you give us any additional guidance as to how to identify
>> the "REAL" Amphenol connectors?
>>
>> 73
>> Rick N6RK
>>
>> On 11/24/2023 11:53 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
>>> On 11/24/2023 10:59 AM, Scott Townley wrote:
>>>> How do I separate the wheat from the chaff?? I have a fully
>equipped
>>>> bench...I would think the go-to would be a TDR measurement.? Any
>>>> better/additional suggestions?
>>>
>>> Look at them carefully. If they aren't labeled Amphenol or stamped
>>> with MIL-spec numbers, they're junk.? It's all about mechanical
>>> construction. Measurements won't show it.
>>>
>>> I've bought surplus MIL-spec adapters at ham flea-markets. Amphenol
>>> parts are sold by legacy electronics vendors like Allied, Newark,
>>> Arrow, etc. There are a few ham vendors who sell them, but many also
>
>>> sell junk connectors. The real thing is 2-3x more expensive. Here's
>>> one quality vendor that sells both the real thing and the junk. They
>
>>> don't offer quantity discounts, while the traditional electronics
>>> vendors do.
>>>
>>> https://www.rfparts.com/sitemap
>>>
>>> We sometimes need to study the Amphenol parts listing to know which
>>> connector to buy. For example, they manufacture the solder-type
>PL259
>>> with at least 4 different part numbers, all of which start with
>>> 83-1SP. The one we want is the one with no suffix, because the body
>is
>>> silver plated, and thus easier to solder to.
>>>
>>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 6
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 16:21:52 -0600
>From: Jack Brindle <jackbrindle@me.com>
>To: reflector Towertalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID: <C9A100B5-E748-4814-99D1-308DD9F86118@me.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
>If you go to DigiKey and look up 83-1SP it shows only one manufacturer
>- Amphenol RF. That is the genuine part, with a Q1 price of $7.45, but
>it drops quickly in quantity.
>
>I would probably look for adapters and other parts by the same company,
>Amphenol RF.
>
>73,
>Jack, W6FB
>
>
>> On Nov 24, 2023, at 1:53?PM, Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
>wrote:
>>
>> On 11/24/2023 10:59 AM, Scott Townley wrote:
>>> How do I separate the wheat from the chaff? I have a fully equipped
>bench...I would think the go-to would be a TDR measurement. Any
>better/additional suggestions?
>>
>> Look at them carefully. If they aren't labeled Amphenol or stamped
>with MIL-spec numbers, they're junk. It's all about mechanical
>construction. Measurements won't show it.
>>
>> I've bought surplus MIL-spec adapters at ham flea-markets. Amphenol
>parts are sold by legacy electronics vendors like Allied, Newark,
>Arrow, etc. There are a few ham vendors who sell them, but many also
>sell junk connectors. The real thing is 2-3x more expensive. Here's one
>quality vendor that sells both the real thing and the junk. They don't
>offer quantity discounts, while the traditional electronics vendors do.
>>
>> https://www.rfparts.com/sitemap
>>
>> We sometimes need to study the Amphenol parts listing to know which
>connector to buy. For example, they manufacture the solder-type PL259
>with at least 4 different part numbers, all of which start with 83-1SP.
>The one we want is the one with no suffix, because the body is silver
>plated, and thus easier to solder to.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 7
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 16:29:39 -0600
>From: Jack Brindle <jackbrindle@me.com>
>To: Scott Townley <scott@nx7u.net>
>Cc: towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID: <D2CB5658-D251-4AD9-82FA-A5CA7943C2DF@me.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
>One of the big problems with off-brand connectors and adapters is their
>power handling capabilities. This is especially noted in the
>right-angle adapter. We see a lot of arcing when higher power is
>applied.
>Higher power in this case is anything above just a few hundred watts.
>Whenever I see an amplifier log report with a lot of high reflected
>power or PA Dissipation faults, I immediately start looking at the
>connectors and feed line for problems. These are usually found in one
>of several places - right angle adapters, and baluns that were meant
>for low power, but have been over-stressed with high
>power.
>
>My advice? If the right-angle adapters aren?t Amphenol, throw them out.
>
>73,
>Jack, W6FB
>
>
>> On Nov 24, 2023, at 12:59?PM, Scott Townley <scott@nx7u.net> wrote:
>>
>> Say I have a pile of coax adapters on my bench (we all do, right?).
>>
>> How do I separate the wheat from the chaff? I have a fully equipped
>bench...I would think the go-to would be a TDR measurement. Any
>better/additional suggestions?
>>
>> TIA,
>>
>> --
>> Scott NX7U
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 8
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 14:46:32 -0800
>From: Jim Brown <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
>To: towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID:
> <54b67fc2-4c8c-4db8-b8c3-98fc728abed8@audiosystemsgroup.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>On 11/24/2023 2:29 PM, Jack Brindle via TowerTalk wrote:
>> These are usually found in one of several places - right angle
>adapters,
>
>Yes. The cheapies have a center conductor that's a tiny spring!
>
>73, Jim K9YC
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 9
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 23:49:54 +0000
>From: Wayne Kline <w3ea@hotmail.com>
>To: "jim@audiosystemsgroup.com" <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>,
> "towertalk@contesting.com" <towertalk@contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID:
>
> <SN4P221MB0729F32BB43E89F0FCB32CD38FB8A@SN4P221MB0729.NAMP221.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM>
>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>Only use Anaphonal 90 deg UHF adaptors
>
>Wayne ,W3EA
>Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
>Windows 10
>
>From: Jim Brown<mailto:jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>
>Sent: Friday, November 24, 2023 5:47 PM
>To: towertalk@contesting.com<mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>
>On 11/24/2023 2:29 PM, Jack Brindle via TowerTalk wrote:
>> These are usually found in one of several places - right angle
>adapters,
>
>Yes. The cheapies have a center conductor that's a tiny spring!
>
>73, Jim K9YC
>_______________________________________________
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>TowerTalk mailing list
>TowerTalk@contesting.com
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 10
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2023 17:24:28 -0800
>From: Michael Tope <W4EF@dellroy.com>
>To: towertalk@contesting.com
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID: <381d98c2-c366-4317-a444-e48a5b7919f8@dellroy.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
>FWIW, here is a comparison of two UHF bullet adapters (F-F). Both are
>sold by "Amphenol-RF":
>
>https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol-RF/182109?qs=pUp6IBEmRweq5dreR9OqEw%3D%3D
>
>https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Amphenol-RF/083-1J?qs=py4qCovljJ%252BPkeGph3iz4w%3D%3D
>
>The first one (the 182109) is $8.14 each and the second one (the
>083-1J)
>is $18.93 each. If you look at the datasheets (they are actually
>drawings), the first one appears to be the Amphenol-Connex brand,
>whereas the 2nd more expensive one may be the original "Amphenol".
>
>I would probably take my chances with the cheaper one, especially if I
>was using them inside the shack or on the ground where they are readily
>
>accessible. If you are putting it somewhere where failure would require
>
>a crane or a lot of climbing to repair, it might be worth investing in
>the more expensive part. Hard to say. Personally what has given me the
>most trouble over the years are UHF right angle adapters (the M-F
>type).
>The retaining clip that holds the threaded outer cylinder of the male
>side in place can slip out of the groove it rides in. This allows the
>male side of the adapter to separate from the female jack it is mated
>with (not good!).
>
>I suspect avoiding connectors with no established pedigree or track
>record probably takes you from the realm of likely junk to "good
>enough"
>(especially if the price of the no-name seems too good to be true).
>Beyond that it may be the difference between "good enough" and "better
>than good enough".
>
>73, Mike W4EF..........................
>
>
>On 11/24/2023 1:30 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
>> Unfortunately, if I search "Manufacturers" on the DigiKey site, there
>
>> are dozens of listings that start with the word "Amphenol" followed
>> by the name of some non-Amphenol entity that has been acquired by
>> Amphenol.? Obviously, Amphenol is now simply a holding company
>> and the name no longer necessarily means anything.? Jim, with
>> a background in audio, will identify with the destruction of JBL
>> after its acquisition by Harmon-Kardon.
>>
>> Specifically, at D/K, they show:
>>
>> Amphenol
>> Amphenol Connex (Amphenol RF)
>> Amphenol RF
>> Amphenol Times Microwave
>>
>> The latter name had a decent reputation at least before being
>acquired.
>>
>> Can you give us any additional guidance as to how to identify
>> the "REAL" Amphenol connectors?
>>
>> 73
>> Rick N6RK
>>
>> On 11/24/2023 11:53 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
>>> On 11/24/2023 10:59 AM, Scott Townley wrote:
>>>> How do I separate the wheat from the chaff?? I have a fully
>equipped
>>>> bench...I would think the go-to would be a TDR measurement.? Any
>>>> better/additional suggestions?
>>>
>>> Look at them carefully. If they aren't labeled Amphenol or stamped
>>> with MIL-spec numbers, they're junk.? It's all about mechanical
>>> construction. Measurements won't show it.
>>>
>>> I've bought surplus MIL-spec adapters at ham flea-markets. Amphenol
>>> parts are sold by legacy electronics vendors like Allied, Newark,
>>> Arrow, etc. There are a few ham vendors who sell them, but many also
>
>>> sell junk connectors. The real thing is 2-3x more expensive. Here's
>>> one quality vendor that sells both the real thing and the junk. They
>
>>> don't offer quantity discounts, while the traditional electronics
>>> vendors do.
>>>
>>> https://www.rfparts.com/sitemap
>>>
>>> We sometimes need to study the Amphenol parts listing to know which
>>> connector to buy. For example, they manufacture the solder-type
>PL259
>>> with at least 4 different part numbers, all of which start with
>>> 83-1SP. The one we want is the one with no suffix, because the body
>>> is silver plated, and thus easier to solder to.
>>>
>>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 11
>Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2023 08:43:03 -0600
>From: Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo@gmail.com>
>To: towertalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID:
> <CALWD7Z46qGX2Q2cy4NOD4vswznGMcRjsV3PSeF98m_ixD0pH-Q@mail.gmail.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
>Two failings of off-brand UHF connectors is the machining of the
>threaded surfaces and the female center pin cup. Off brands don't
>have the thread precision that Amphenol has. There's a risk that the
>female center pin holder won't grip well. When shopping at hamfests,
>bring a UHF male with you and use it to see how hard the fingers in
>the jack cup grip the pin. I've burned up jacks that were junk before
>I learned this. I have not found an Amphenol that didn't have a tight
>grip unless it was misused (jamming a banana plug into it etc.).
>
>73
>
>Rob
>K5UJ
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 12
>Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2023 11:16:25 -0500
>From: Charles Gallo <charlie@thegallos.com>
>To: towertalk <towertalk@contesting.com>
>Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] ...and another coax adapter question
>Message-ID: <86026DE2-0D3C-427F-9BFF-FB14212CB48E@thegallos.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
>Yes, and no. One interesting thing as CNC made it into small companies
>over the last couple of decades (with insert tooling), the quality of
>machining has gone up. The days of hand ground HSS tooling in a screw
>machine or turret lathe has really ended in most places
>--
>73 de KG2V
>Charlie
>
>> On Nov 25, 2023, at 9:43?AM, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo@gmail.com>
>wrote:
>>
>> ?Two failings of off-brand UHF connectors is the machining of the
>> threaded surfaces and the female center pin cup. Off brands don't
>> have the thread precision that Amphenol has. There's a risk that the
>> female center pin holder won't grip well. When shopping at hamfests,
>> bring a UHF male with you and use it to see how hard the fingers in
>> the jack cup grip the pin. I've burned up jacks that were junk
>before
>> I learned this. I have not found an Amphenol that didn't have a
>tight
>> grip unless it was misused (jamming a banana plug into it etc.).
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Rob
>> K5UJ
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> TowerTalk mailing list
>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Subject: Digest Footer
>
>_______________________________________________
>TowerTalk mailing list
>TowerTalk@contesting.com
>http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of TowerTalk Digest, Vol 251, Issue 18
>******************************************
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