Connecting a severed VHF aerial cable

[john_morris_uk]

I like N connectors as they are easy to screw onto the cable.

Not sure what N connectors that you use. The ones that I use are just as difficult to put on the cable correctly as BNC's and they certainly don't just screw on! You need to be able to cut very accurately and solder very accurately as well...

 

[john_morris_uk]

...not sure why manufacturers still use PL259.

Because they are cheap and if kept in the dry will 'just about do...'

 

[john_morris_uk]

Another possibility would be to use F-connectors for the join. These are what are used for connecting satellite TV recievers to the downlead from the dish .

Unfortunately F connectors are not very good with the sorts of co-ax that the standard yacht VHF uses. F Connectors usually rely on the centre (solid) conductor being used as the 'pin' in the connector. The various cables used for yacht VHF are not necessarily the correct diameter, nor with the correct solid centre to perform well in this use. Satellite cable usually has an outer sheath then a foil covered dielectric with a solid copper centre conductor in the middle. Yacht VHF co-ax (whichever is being used) is usually braid, with a multi strand centre conductor.

 

[andythilo]

Not sure what N connectors that you use. The ones that I use are just as difficult to put on the cable correctly as BNC's and they certainly don't just screw on! You need to be able to cut very accurately and solder very accurately as well...

Quality silver plated clamp ones. Cost about £3 each. I never said they did screw on but their as easy as BNCs to fit, easier if you ask me as the pin is bigger so flowing solder in is easier.

I'm a radio engineer btw so we use them everyday on base stations, vehicle installs etc..

 

[john_morris_uk]

it was Wight Dawn who said that they screw on. "I like N connectors as they are easy to screw onto the cable." I agree that they are slightly bigger and easier to solder on, but they are still not connectors for novices to fit easily.

I used to be an RF engineer in a previous career as well. (Silver plated) N connectors are the dog's doo dahs in RF terms, but they do need putting on properly...

 

[Bodach na mara]

Mea culpa, it was F connectors that were used and they do only work with a solid core coax cable.