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Links to Pics, Coax Connector Types, Pictures, Information, and Descriptions
                                                          
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Descriptions and links to photos of common Coaxial Connectors we offer for US Made LMR-400, LMR-240 LMR-Ultraflex and Belden 9907 Cable
(we "consolidated" and synopsized, some info from Wikipedia submissions)

Where possible we prefer to use Silver plated connectors for best conductivity!

N Male Connector
The N connector (in full, Type N connector) is a threaded RF connector used to join coaxial cables. It was one of the first connectors capable of carrying microwave-frequency signals, and was invented in the 1940s by Paul Neill of Bell Labs, after whom the connector is named. N connectors are the most common WiFi Antenna connections and are also widely used in HAM and other Amateur Radio applications.  










UHF Male PL-259 Connector

The UHF connector design, from an era when , also called the Amphenol coaxial connector, is a World War II threaded RF connector UHF referred to frequencies over 30 MHz. Originally intended for use as a video connector in RADAR applications, it was later used for RF applications. This connector was developed on basis of a shielded banana plug.


                                
                                                                                                                               
F Connectors

The F connector is a common means of connecting television signals. It is a type of coaxial RF connector commonly used for "over the air" terrestrial television, cable television and universally for satellite television and cable modems. It was invented by Eric E. Winston in the early 1950s while working for Jerrold Electronics on their development of cable television. In the 1970s it became commonplace on VHF television antenna connections, as coaxial cables replaced twin-lead, and later for UHF also.






Straight SMA Connectors

SMA (SubMiniature version A) connectors are coaxial RF Connectors developed in the 1960s as a minimal connector with a screw type coupling mechanism. The connector has a 50 Ω impedance. It offers excellent electrical performance from DC to 18 GHz. The outer shell of the male or plug connector has an inside thread and an inner pin, which can be confusing. In conventional SMA, the terms "male" and "female" refer exclusively to the inner pin or socket of the connectors. The male connector is also commonly referred to as a "plug", whereas the female connector is also known as a "socket" or "jack".


N Female Connector
Originally, the connector was designed to carry signals of up to 1 GHz in military applications, but the common Type N today handles up to 11 GHz comfortably. More recent precision enhancements to the design by Julius Botka at Hewlett Packard have scaled this to 18 GHz. The connector is hand-tightened and has an air gap between center and outer conductors. The coupling has a 5/8-24 thread.







UHF Female SO-238 Connector

An old standard, UHF connectors are generally usable through what is now known as the VHF and HF frequencies and can handle RF power levels over one kilowatt. Despite the name it is rarely used for actual UHF frequencies as they don't work well above 300 MHz.







Straight VS Reverse Polarity (RP)
If you are among the majority confused by the Governments (FCC) boondoggle in connector governance join the crowd!  We try to shed a little light here.















RP-SMA WiFi Connectors
This just confuses people who intuitively know that pins are male and holes are female!  Reverse polarity SMA (RP-SMA or RSMA) is a proprietary variation of the SMA connector specification which reverses the gender of the interface, as shown in Photos below. The term "reverse polarity" here refers only to the connector gender, not in any way to the polarity of the signal.  An RP-SMA MALE connector has the same external housing as a standard or conventional SMA, however, the internal prong or pin is replaced by a receptacle or female inner pin. Similarly, an RP-SMA FEMALE has a pin like a conventional male, and the connector keeps the female outer threads.

BNC Male Connector
The BNC (Bayonet Neill-Concelman) connector is a very common type of RF Connector commonly used for terminating coaxial cable. The BNC connector is used for RF signal connections, for analog and digital video signals, HAM Amateur Radio antenna connections,  and many other types of equipment.




FME Connectors
FME (For Mobile Equipment)is a miniature 50Ω RF connector series offering excellent performance from DC to 2.0 GHz used in mobile applications and installations. The FME female is designed to be snaked through the often tight access holes or spaces of a vehicle to the desired equipment location(s).
Straight TNC Connectors
The TNC (threaded Neill-Concelman) connector is a threaded version of the BNC connector. The connector has a 50 Ω impedance and operates best in the 0–11 GHz frequency spectrum. It has better performance than the BNC connector at Microwave frequencies. Straight TNCs are used on Cellular, Ham and Microwave cables and Antennas.



Solder VS Crimp Connectors
Old School PL-259 versis newer Crimp and Compression Connectors.  Which really work better?









BNC Female Connector
Male and Female BNC Connectors come in 50 and 75 Ohm versions.  Although we match impedance, 75 Ohm BNC connectors that comply with IEC 169-8 will mate in a non-destructive manner with 50 Ohm BNC connectors that comply with IEC 169-8. The Canford Group, a manufacturer of BNC connectors claims "In over 15 years and a many million BNC connectors we have no first hand experience of incompatibility between 50 ohm and 75 ohm types, other than extremely rare (and very obvious) manufacturing faults."



Mini-UHF Connectors
Mini-UHF connectors are miniaturized versions of UHF Connectors, designed primarily for use in mobile phones and similar applications where size is an important consideration. Introduced in the 1970's, Mini-UHF has a 3/8-24 thread size and operates up to 2.5 GHz.





RP-TNC WiFi Connectors
Reverse-polarity TNC (RP-TNC) is a variation of the TNC specification which reverses the polarity of the interface. This is usually achieved by incorporating the female contacts normally found in jacks into the plug, and the male contacts normally found in plugs into the jack. RP-TNC connectors are widely used by WiFi equipment manufacturers to comply with FCC regulations designed to prevent consumers from connecting antennas which exhibit too much DB gain and breach compliance. This connector is common on WiFi or Broadband Routers and Antennas from Cisco, Linksys and other lines of Wi-Fi products. RP-TNC can also be abbreviated as RPTNC.
Less Common Connectors
Yep, There are more, Many More...
















Straight VS Reverse Polarity (RP)
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Straight or Reverse Polarity - Big Difference!
Straught and reverse RF connectors
At one time all connectors were straight.  Boys were boys and Girls were girls then along came the Government...


In order to regulate WiFi and try to create connectors specialized for it's use we have the FCC and the wonderful concept of RP (Reverse Polarity).  Now we have Females with Male Pins and Males with Female innards.  See the picture here of SMAs, but TNCs, BNCs, Ns and others can all be Straight or RP depending on their use.  Take a look at the photos and if you don't know which you need Please Ask.


Solder VS Crimp Connectors
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For many years now the commercial standard has been to Crimp, Clamp or Compress connectors onto cable assemblies.  Crimped connections simply provide better shielding, retention, service life and ease of installation.  HAM purists of the old school scoff at the very idea!  This is so true that we continue to offer quality Soldered PL-259s as our standard UHF connection. We use Silver plated connectors to assure a good solder joint and Silver solder to make the connections.  Most Hams just seem to desire this.  While we will continue to offer PL-259s standard we will provide the same Crimp UHF connectors we use on our own installs upon request.
 

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LINKS: Other Coaxial Cable Connector Information and picture sites



Automotive Connectors


Linksys Router Antenna Connectors


Crimp Connector Install Instructions


Additional RF Connectors


Netgear Routers Extension Connectors


UHF Connector Install Instructions

D-Link Router Connectors


Cisco Antenna Connectors

N Connector Install Instructions