Wiring an N type VHF connector

[Murv]

Plenty of guides on youtube, but I can't find one for this type of plug, does anybody have any links?

This connector: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262004972154?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

The orange bit is rubber, and looks as if it grips the cable by expanding as it's compressed by the nut on the back of the fitting but where does the earth go? Also, the centre part of the tip is hollow, so the inner cable can be slid into it, but there's no hole in it to run solder down and the end is sealed. Is it just a push fit, or is there a technique to soldering it?
Was hoping to get the assistance of a local expert, but time is now conspiring against me, and need it ready for the weekend!

 

[RichardS]

If there no hole in the end of the centre connector then I don't think soldering it is realistic so it's presumably just a push fit.

You presumably need to physically trap the outer braid and compress it against the internal connector with the cable nut, ensuring that there are no loose strands near the centre conductor?

Richard

 

[Lon nan Gruagach]

Plenty of guides on youtube, but I can't find one for this type of plug, does anybody have any links?

This connector: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262004972154?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

The orange bit is rubber, and looks as if it grips the cable by expanding as it's compressed by the nut on the back of the fitting but where does the earth go? Also, the centre part of the tip is hollow, so the inner cable can be slid into it, but there's no hole in it to run solder down and the end is sealed. Is it just a push fit, or is there a technique to soldering it?
Was hoping to get the assistance of a local expert, but time is now conspiring against me, and need it ready for the weekend!

That'll be a crimp centre contact then. If you cant find a hex crimp then do what you can with solder, You can persuade solder to the bottom of the hole with a steel pin, sewing needles are good for this.. Once theres a decent amount of molten solder in there, just slide in a tinned centre.

Or...You might make a hole with a hack saw, it dosent need to be round (the hole, not the hack saw..)

 

[parbuckle]

I am no expert but I am curious is your cable mini 8 coax this type appears to have a seven strand centre wire and around 7mm outer dia.
I thought vhf had solid centre wire and dia. of 5mm known as type RG58

 

[RichardS]

That'll be a crimp centre contact then.

First time I've ever heard of that, although I'm not really an electronics type. What is a "hex crimp" and where do you actually apply the crimp so as to avoid distorting the pin so that it doesn't fit any more?

Richard

 

[prv]

I thought vhf had solid centre wire and dia. of 5mm known as type RG58

There are several different kinds of suitable cable. I can't remember the designation of mine, but it's about 10mm in diameter and the central conductor consists of several thickish strands twisted together, looks a little like rigging wire on a smaller scale. It gives excellent performance, the only downside is the amount of French chatter I hear in the Solent

Pete

 

[Martin_J]

Looks similar to the plugs at Nevada Radio... Click on the download link on their item and you'll see the instructions..

nevada-uhf-238

The instructions state to solder the inner pin. As Dougal suggests - Fill the hole with solder then insert the tinned wire.

 

[parbuckle]

There are several different kinds of suitable cable. I can't remember the designation of mine, but it's about 10mm in diameter and the central conductor consists of several thickish strands twisted together, looks a little like rigging wire on a smaller scale. It gives excellent performance, the only downside is the amount of French chatter I hear in the Solent

Pete

The reason I mentioned the cable is that the plug must match the cable for it to fit and this seemed an unusual type cable. Looking at R S Components Website there are hundreds of connectors many of them give an instruction on the exact cutting dimensions and assembly order but your cable dia. is important. Here is an example of a standard vhf plug with a link to instructions.http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/4232093/

 

[maxi77]

http://kb.unavco.org/kb/print-193.html

this might help

 

[Murv]

Thanks very much all, much appreciated. I feel far better equipped to have a go now!

 

[Lon nan Gruagach]

First time I've ever heard of that, although I'm not really an electronics type. What is a "hex crimp" and where do you actually apply the crimp so as to avoid distorting the pin so that it doesn't fit any more?

Richard

This one is for BNC, I would at least attempt to use it on any vagrant centre pins.
Where to use it? A short bit of the back end of the pin, it will reduce overall dimension AF but keep the corners the same as the original OD.

 

[Daverw]

Solder the small centre pin, very easy even without the small hole and either crimp the outer or compression fitting dependant, just make sure you have the correct plug for cable type, many different types if you include the military spec that most of us ham radio guys use.

 

[Murv]

'tis done!
I must apologise though, on stripping the connector down, there was a tiny hole in the centre pin.
I thought it would be very difficult to solder, but it was actually very easy.
Only slight snag was that the centre wire was slightly too thick for one of the nylon insulating rings, but only the one that closes off the end (that will make absolutely no sense reading it, but I know what I mean)
With a bit of careful jiggling, I'm reasonably happy that it's connected OK and a test call gave strong comms both ways.
Thanks again for all the help,