tedsmith
Well-Known Member
I want to buy some, but can't remember their proper name, so can't google (or ebay, or maplin).
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
VHF aerial plugs - what are they called?
- Thread starter tedsmith
- Start date
tedsmith
Well-Known Member
Is this one ok?
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&DOY=1m3&ModuleNo=1605&criteria=
Is that a reasonalable price? I want about 30 of 'em
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&DOY=1m3&ModuleNo=1605&criteria=
Is that a reasonalable price? I want about 30 of 'em
Aardee
Well-Known Member
BNC?...RG58?...combination of the two?
tedsmith
Well-Known Member
BNC - I'll try that - cheers.
tedsmith
Well-Known Member
what is the diference between
http://marinestore.co.uk/Merchant2/merch...;Category_Code=
and
http://marinestore.co.uk/Merchant2/merch...;Category_Code=
http://marinestore.co.uk/Merchant2/merch...;Category_Code=
and
http://marinestore.co.uk/Merchant2/merch...;Category_Code=
EBoat126
Well-Known Member
Re: what is the diference between
First one I suspect needs soldering on & second doesn't.
First one I suspect needs soldering on & second doesn't.
tedsmith
Well-Known Member
Re: what is the diference between
Yup, now I remember. You got it.
Thanks.
Yup, now I remember. You got it.
Thanks.
damo
Well-Known Member
Re: what is the diference between
One is a Glomex PL259 Male Connector For RG213U
the other is a Glomex PL259 Male Twist On Connector For RG58
IIRC they are both for 50 ohm coax, one is also called thin ethernet. You can google for the specs and applications
One is a Glomex PL259 Male Connector For RG213U
the other is a Glomex PL259 Male Twist On Connector For RG58
IIRC they are both for 50 ohm coax, one is also called thin ethernet. You can google for the specs and applications
VicMallows
Well-Known Member
Re: what is the diference between
Somehow I don't think ethernet (thin or otherwise) enters into the equation.
I am informed though that for those who are for some reason averse to soldering, Maplin do have push-contact insert sleeves for standard PL259s.
Personally I would always solder .
Vic
Somehow I don't think ethernet (thin or otherwise) enters into the equation.
I am informed though that for those who are for some reason averse to soldering, Maplin do have push-contact insert sleeves for standard PL259s.
Personally I would always solder .
Vic
William_H
Well-Known Member
Re: what is the diference between
It is certainly not BNC that you want unless you buy an expensive converter BNC to PL259. (Pl 259 is what you want.)
The difference in plugs referred to is the size of the cable going into it.
The first is for the larger RG88 cable about 10mm diameter while the other is for the smaller RG58 cable about 6mm outside diameter.
( BNC is the much smaller plug about 10mm diameter as used in ethernet where you push the plug on then turn 40 degrees to lock it in) It is mainly used with this cable)
The heavier cable is necessary for low loss at VHF for longer cable runs. ie up a tall mast. The thinner cheaper cable is for short runs where loss is less. (It is best to use the heavy cable for the typical 10 metre mast although the this stuff will work but with larger losses.) Taller mast longer run definitely use the heavy cable while for shorter runs the thinner is OK. Although the heavier is more robust and last longer in corrosion etc.
I would certainly use the solder connection type for the centre conductor. There are various arrangements for connecting the outer. I think the plugs on links all screw the cable and braid into a coarse thread while some types require soldering. ( a difficult job)
good luck with your 50 connectors olewill
It is certainly not BNC that you want unless you buy an expensive converter BNC to PL259. (Pl 259 is what you want.)
The difference in plugs referred to is the size of the cable going into it.
The first is for the larger RG88 cable about 10mm diameter while the other is for the smaller RG58 cable about 6mm outside diameter.
( BNC is the much smaller plug about 10mm diameter as used in ethernet where you push the plug on then turn 40 degrees to lock it in) It is mainly used with this cable)
The heavier cable is necessary for low loss at VHF for longer cable runs. ie up a tall mast. The thinner cheaper cable is for short runs where loss is less. (It is best to use the heavy cable for the typical 10 metre mast although the this stuff will work but with larger losses.) Taller mast longer run definitely use the heavy cable while for shorter runs the thinner is OK. Although the heavier is more robust and last longer in corrosion etc.
I would certainly use the solder connection type for the centre conductor. There are various arrangements for connecting the outer. I think the plugs on links all screw the cable and braid into a coarse thread while some types require soldering. ( a difficult job)
good luck with your 50 connectors olewill
damo
Well-Known Member
Re: what is the diference between
"Somehow I don't think ethernet (thin or otherwise) enters into the equation."
I'm not saying it does, I'm just saying that RG58 (I've just looked it up) is often used for Thin Ethernet and other low power applications eg vhf.
I realise the question was about the connectors and not the cable, but if the OP gets RG213 then be aware that it is not recommended for runs longer than 10-15m
"Somehow I don't think ethernet (thin or otherwise) enters into the equation."
I'm not saying it does, I'm just saying that RG58 (I've just looked it up) is often used for Thin Ethernet and other low power applications eg vhf.
I realise the question was about the connectors and not the cable, but if the OP gets RG213 then be aware that it is not recommended for runs longer than 10-15m
William_H
Well-Known Member
Re: what is the diference between
I havn't got the figures in front of me but basically RG 58 small cable will lose nearly half of the transmitted power before it reaches the aerial at VHF marine frequency and with a cable run of around 15 metres. The larger low loss cable in the same length will lose perhaps 10% of power. And of course the same amount of power is lost on the received signal.
If this sounds unbelievable you must remember that perceived radio strength works on a logarythmic fashion a bit like humman hearing. So in fact half power is barely perceptable. But the loss of power can still be significant if you are at the limit of range.
The losses are linear increase with length and get worse at higher frequencies.
Damo I don't think the power of any yacht transmissions would exceed the power rating of the thinest coax cable. But the losses are still there. Making the thin cable bad for low power applications. Certainly bad for mobile phone antenna for instance. olewill
I havn't got the figures in front of me but basically RG 58 small cable will lose nearly half of the transmitted power before it reaches the aerial at VHF marine frequency and with a cable run of around 15 metres. The larger low loss cable in the same length will lose perhaps 10% of power. And of course the same amount of power is lost on the received signal.
If this sounds unbelievable you must remember that perceived radio strength works on a logarythmic fashion a bit like humman hearing. So in fact half power is barely perceptable. But the loss of power can still be significant if you are at the limit of range.
The losses are linear increase with length and get worse at higher frequencies.
Damo I don't think the power of any yacht transmissions would exceed the power rating of the thinest coax cable. But the losses are still there. Making the thin cable bad for low power applications. Certainly bad for mobile phone antenna for instance. olewill
Salty John
Well-Known Member
The plug that connects the aerial to the radio is the PL259. PL259's come in various qualities - some good some bad. I have has PL259's made in China that have cracked insulation, crossed threads, appalling quality.
PL259's are typically soldered. However, you can get some called 'screw-in earth' connectors where only the centre wire is soldered and the braid is 'screwed' into the body, and you can get solderless connectors. The best bet is a standard, top quality soldered PL259.
To accomodate the different cable diameters good connectors come with the appropriate adapter. Usually the base PL259 will take RG8/RG213 cable, an adapter is added for RG8X and a different adapter is added for RG58.
The cable, all 50 ohm as opposed to 75 ohm television coax, is either:
RG58U which is for short runs where attenuation isn't a problem. Often supplied on cheap aerials for longer runs. This will lead to significant losses in performance. This cable is typically 5mm or so diameter.
RG8X, also known as mini-8. This cable is good for runs up to about 20 meters, is flexible and has a diameter a little over 6mm. I believe this is the best option for most boats.
RG8U and RG213 are the same diameter, 9mm. RG213 is much higher quality with better waterproofing but is difficult to join and probably best left to professionals.
The PL259 connector is universally used at the radio end. It is also used at the antenna end of good antennas such as Shakespeare and our own Metz. It is not a waterproof connector so must be protected with a boot or self amalgamating tape. It is, however, a join of immense mechanical integrity, which is why it is used.
When connecting a VHF antenna to an AIS engine the connection is a BNC connector. This is a bayonet connector develped for use in laboratories where quick connections are a virtue. In order to use your AIS antenna as an emergency radio antenna you can get an SO239/ BNC adaptor. This allows you to plug a PL259 into the adapter and the adapter into the AIS engine.
I hope this helps.
PL259's are typically soldered. However, you can get some called 'screw-in earth' connectors where only the centre wire is soldered and the braid is 'screwed' into the body, and you can get solderless connectors. The best bet is a standard, top quality soldered PL259.
To accomodate the different cable diameters good connectors come with the appropriate adapter. Usually the base PL259 will take RG8/RG213 cable, an adapter is added for RG8X and a different adapter is added for RG58.
The cable, all 50 ohm as opposed to 75 ohm television coax, is either:
RG58U which is for short runs where attenuation isn't a problem. Often supplied on cheap aerials for longer runs. This will lead to significant losses in performance. This cable is typically 5mm or so diameter.
RG8X, also known as mini-8. This cable is good for runs up to about 20 meters, is flexible and has a diameter a little over 6mm. I believe this is the best option for most boats.
RG8U and RG213 are the same diameter, 9mm. RG213 is much higher quality with better waterproofing but is difficult to join and probably best left to professionals.
The PL259 connector is universally used at the radio end. It is also used at the antenna end of good antennas such as Shakespeare and our own Metz. It is not a waterproof connector so must be protected with a boot or self amalgamating tape. It is, however, a join of immense mechanical integrity, which is why it is used.
When connecting a VHF antenna to an AIS engine the connection is a BNC connector. This is a bayonet connector develped for use in laboratories where quick connections are a virtue. In order to use your AIS antenna as an emergency radio antenna you can get an SO239/ BNC adaptor. This allows you to plug a PL259 into the adapter and the adapter into the AIS engine.
I hope this helps.
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I try to avoid soldering if possible because if you need to remake the joint removing the old solder with a 12volt iron in a gale is difficult. Although with a gas iron inside the cabin would not be such a problem.
tedsmith
Well-Known Member
Reply to all posters
Thanx a lot.
Some really useful info there.
I will be soldering and as it is for short runs I'll go for thinner cable and now I can get the correct PL plug (but I wouldn't have known that if you guys hadn't helped.)
Cheers
Thanx a lot.
Some really useful info there.
I will be soldering and as it is for short runs I'll go for thinner cable and now I can get the correct PL plug (but I wouldn't have known that if you guys hadn't helped.)
Cheers
