coaxial connector pictures coax

N RF Connector Installation .....

Introduction

For this discussion the type "N" female connector will be used. The professional term is to "terminate" the line with a connector, of some type. This is true for both LMR and Microwave applications. Therefore, when someone asks you what's the line terminated with, they are not referring to "killing" or destroying such line, but rather what the line ends, or "terminates" with.

Installation

These are the general tools you'll need to perform a N connector installation on medium size feed line, such as LMR-400 coaxial cable. The center picture shows the parts of the connector. Generally there are six parts, starting from the left:

  • The nut, used to tighten and press-fit the coax to the connector's body, inside.
  • The ring, used to relieve the twisting action of tightening the nut.
  • The gasket, or o-ring used to press and fit the shied piece to the inside mid-section of the connector's body.
  • The shield piece, used joint the cable's shield to the connector's body. This is important for a low resistance connection. This is the most trouble area of novice level installations.
  • The center pin, used connect to the mating (opposite gender/sex) connector, later. This will be soldered to the line's center (copper) conductor.
  • The connector's housing, used to contain all the above parts and mate with the outer part of the opposing connector, later. This also provides mechanical stability with the mating connector as well as very slight weather protection, because of the second, (built-in) O-ring in the front of the mating (male) connector for a second seal.

    It's a good idea to put a piece of tape down the line about a couple of feet. This will keep the parts from sliding to far away and getting dirty on the floor/ground. Now, install the nut (noting correct direction), then the ring, then o-ring. Strip the line back about 3 inches. Later, when more proficient, you can cut less back. Strip only the outer (normally black) PVC insulation and leave the center dialectic intact at this point. Now, install the shield piece. (noting correct direction). When you install the piece in the correct direction you'll notice the o-ring will seat nicely on it's under side.



  • N Coax Connector Types,

    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.  









    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.







    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.




    Connector Photos                                     Buy Genuine US Made Cable Assemblies Here!


    N Male Connectors LMR-240 with N Male Connectors n male crimp LMR-400 N Male n male
    N Female Connectors N Female connector (LMR-400) n female LMR-400 N Female Connector (right) lmr n female



    Straight VS Reverse Polarity (RP)
                                                                            Buy Genuine US Made Cable Assemblies Here!


    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.


    TNC Series Connectors                                                    Buy Genuine US Made Cable Assemblies Here!
    Straight TNC Male Connectors Standard TNC Male Connector tnc male Standard Straight TNC Male Connection straight tnc
    RP-TNC Male Connectors Reverse Polarity TNC Connector Male     

    RP-TNC   
    Connector Male
    rptnc male  LMR-400  N Male to  RP-TNC  Male (right) lmr400 rptnc
    Straight TNC Female Connectors Female TNC Standard Connection tnc female TNC Female Straight Connection
    straight tnc female
    RP-TNC Female Connectors Back of Router RP-TNC Female Connection female rptnc Reverse Polarity TNC Connector Female rptnc female

    SMA Series Connectors                                                           
    Buy Genuine US Made Cable Assemblies Here!
    Straight SMA Male Connectors LMR-400 N Female (left)to SMA Male (right) Cable straight male sma
    Standard SMA Male Connector straight sma male
    RP-SMA Male Connectors Reverse Polarity SMA Male Connector rpsma male LMR-400 Cable
    RP-SMA Female (top) to RP-SMA Male (bottom)
    rpsma male to female
    Straight SMA Female Connectors  Straight  Female SMA    Connection Straight Female SMA Connection SMA Straight Female Connector straight sma female
    RP-SMA Female Connectors Back of Router RP-SMA Female Connection female rpsma connector LMR-400 Cable
    RP-SMA Female (top) to RP-SMA Male (bottom)
    rpsma male to female


    Solder VS Crimp Connectors
                                                                            Buy Genuine US Made Cable Assemblies Here!


    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.
     

    Less Common Connectors

    Those we may have:

    NMO Connectors
    MMCX Connectors
    MCX Connectors
    IPX Connectors


    Those we don't:

    Reverse Threads
    Reverse Polarity N
    SMB Connectors
    RCA Connectors
    SMC Connectors
    DIN Connectors
    C Connectors



      Buy Genuine US Made Cable Assemblies Here!

    LINKS: Other Coaxial Cable Connector Information and picture sites

    RF Industries Connector Database

    TESSCO - Where we buy our connectors & cable


    Cambridge RF Connector Types


    Good Connectors from Tiawon


    Automotive Connectors


    Linksys Router Antenna Connectors


    Crimp Connector Install Instructions
    Sagemaidens Connector Info Page

    Times Microwave - Connector Pics and Install instructions (we use these also)


    MAXGAIN PL-259 Soldering instructions


    DELTA Electronics RF Connectors


    Additional RF Connectors


    Netgear Routers Extension Connectors


    UHF Connector Install Instructions
    Amphenol Connectors Information

    Kings Radio Fequency Connectors


    TYCO AMP Connectors - They make a good UHF Crimp


    ITT Canon Coaxial Connectors


    D-Link Router Connectors


    Cisco Antenna Connectors

    N Connector Install Instructions