Lets Talk About Coax Adapters

Lets talk a bit about coax adapters. Often I hear they introduce loss and maybe some of that comes from the poor quality of many fo them. The point here is not to worry, its almost never enough loss to worry about for HF and you are generally OK using them too for VHF/UHF.
Here is a SO-239 to BNC I like. amzn.to/2W7hyLJ
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Thanks!

[@TaylorLaub]

I’ve got a little plastic box in my bag with about a dozen adapters. You can never have too many adapters

[@WI9LL]

A lot of BNC Connectors in the TV and PLC world are 75ohm as opposed to 50ohm as well. Not a lot of loss, but that would be one place you can easily save some loss by matching impedances with your adapters. Totally agree with searching for more quality built components. Great vid!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

This is one area where spending a bit more is worth it I feel.

[@jeffreystroman2811]

WI9LL this is so bizarre for me, I am the local guy who can show kids how to calculate wavelength and often hook up a scope to a microphone so they can learn something. 20 years as a broadcast video tech and just found out last night there are 50 and 75 ohm BNC connectors. I literally have tool bags full of new BNCs and crimp tools and am able to find both impedances in my stash of stuff from my former existence. How the hell did this escape me? Did I finally find an example of being able to depend on an engineer? That is scary

[@volodymyrzakolodyazhny7740]

​​@@jeffreystroman2811you are not the only one. I recently knew that BNC can be 75 R too, and they are not the only type, which has 50/75 Ohm variants - there can exist 75 R SMA etc.

[@cabe_bedlam]

0:51 - Pretty sure its MFJ rather than Elecraft who makes the 1899T :)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I put in an overlay stating MFJ 👍

[@769270865]

W6LG alao a ham KZbinr did a test with like 30 connector and adapter all together back to back to back no measureable loss with bird meter. But get some good quality ones

[@jbloodwo]

I was trying to recall who did that video. I was thing is was kevin (old tech guy)

[@nosilverharbinger]

#SayNOtoKILO I saw that video, and from what I recall he used a bunch of what some would call “cruddy” old connectors in that crazy long chain, and it was fine. If there is one thing I can impart to anyone out there about paying out the nose for “high end” adapters and the like it’s this.. Don’t. It may look shinier, but it almost certainly won’t perform any better. Much more often than not it is a rip-off.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

For me, its the lock up I care about. I want that connection to be strong.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Josh, a really great tip for any ham radio operator. I have a small case that I have all my connectors in one bag. It stays in my go kit. I have been out two many times without the right connector!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Oh man, when that happens is SUCKS!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse It sure does. Stopped a local deployment immediately. :(

[@HamRadioDX]

Nice informative video Josh. I use a Unidapt Kit, I might do a video on it soon. Great little things they are

[@winstonsmiths2449]

I now 1,472 adapters...including the ONE I needed. LOL. As Josh states, I will need many of them one day (as I advance).

[@franklyre]

Hey Josh, thank you for this video. I just added BNC to my three HTs and it makes it so much easier as I move between the house my truck and just clicking on a signal stick antenna......I'm a convert!

[@scamsuncensored7740]

I'll be looking at my coax stuff much more closely. Thanks.

[@chudykam01]

Thanks for the video! I definitely enjoy your short instructional videos (even more than live streams).

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks!

[@bruehlt]

And if you want the best connectors you can get for your money - buy Amphenol! Don't buy junk connectors because they will only cause you problems. Spend the extra few bucks and get a good connector.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I have to get a few more of those. I only have one or two.

[@Wally_GTO]

Where do U get the quality connectors ?

[@mikeklemens8970]

Thank you Josh for a great demonstration of coax connectors. Mike N6IMY

[@rkaag99]

I see your link takes you to a DHT Electronics page. I have had a good experience with their items (I'm a repeat customer for them). I just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Thanks for the video!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks for the confirmation on the quality!

[@chuck4050]

Good info Josh, when I first got my KX2 it was the first radio I had with BNC connector and I did the same two of any adapter I thought I needed and some I didn't. :-)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You'll need them someday!

[@darylnd]

Thanks, Josh! I'm a new ham but a longtime electronics hobbyist. I stick with Amphenol connectors as much as I can. 73 de KN6NPZ

[@k2icc]

I got an MFJ-1899T. Will use an SO239 to BNC, so I can connect the 1899T to a magnet mount. Will then add the counterpoise from the radio ground screw, then test.The coax line that came with the magnet mount and terminated in a PL259, is about 17" 4". I will connect the 1800T on it with some adapters as above. Then will check with my Xiegu G90 internal analyzer to check for a nice SWR. Counterpoise for 20 meters will be 12' 6". So, the magnet mount and counterpoise will be used for a portable solution. If you have any videos on something like that, it will be nice. I will test mine, then see how it goes.

[@DullBoyJack]

I just got home and had a bunch of amazon packages full of adapters, and this video waiting for me. Talk about good timing! Thanks, John KJ7GPX

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good timing!

[@Johnyrocket70]

You will get loss on higher frequencies with Cheap adapters and connectors that can and have melted the solder where cheap adapters will leak the solder out.

[@robertchambers5821]

Thanks for the video! You're so lucky to have HRO near you, everything arrives mail order in Barbados. 8P6RC

[@applejacks971]

Same here, my nearest HRO is in Denver Co, 550 miles :(

[@MaryBrownForFreedom]

If using them at VHF/UHF buy quality! The cheap ebay China ones have really bad impedance at higher frequencies. I hve confirmed this, I melted a N to PL259 adapter with 1,000 watts at 2 meters...

[@howlingwolven]

The issue at that point is less likely the adapter quality as it is using a pl259 for VHF. There are far better things to terminate coax with.

[@howlingwolven]

The issue at that point is less likely the adapter quality as it is using a pl259 for VHF. There are far better things to terminate coax with.

[@howlingwolven]

The issue at that point is less likely the adapter quality as it is using a pl259 for VHF. There are far better things to terminate coax with.

[@howlingwolven]

The issue at that point is less likely the adapter quality as it is using a pl259 for VHF. There are far better things to terminate coax with.

[@howlingwolven]

The issue at that point is less likely the adapter quality as it is using a pl259 for VHF. There are far better things to terminate coax with.

[@johnoneill62]

Hi newbie here, just wondering are twist on bnc good, I’d be grateful for folks opinions on it. Thanks

[@karenwm1805]

Can a radio that is transmitting on 460 mhz do well or function on an antenna that can only get up to 440?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It will likely be fine, but you should check the SWR.

[@koonce66]

Hi Josh, I'm in need of your help? I have a Baofeng UV-5R handheld and I'm wanting to go to BNC for my antennas....can you let me know what BNC adapters I need to get and if posable a link to your Amazon store to buy from. if I can... Thanks, Josh for another GREAT video!

[@N2LRB]

Thanks for the video. But I can’t stand BNC connectors. Had bad experiences with them on HTs back in the early 1990s. The forced required to use them on HTs would break them off the HT case. Meaning, the case would break at that point. Hence I have a strong dislike for bncs. I was hoping that they were on their way out of usage. Much prefer to screw a PL-259 than push in and turn a BNC.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I fear SMA much more than BNC.

[@thinkmore7575]

how would you connect an si4732 to an mla 30 antenna?

[@drc44646]

Hi, What coax do you recommend for using between radios, tuners , indoors , in the shack . 1' to 6' ? thank you.

[@ewing21139]

My new Baofeng does not have bnc connectors.

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

Great info!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks Rob!

[@Robert08010]

I have an amplified TV antenna I want to use with an SDR, Rsp1a. Its the same size as any generic cable TV wire but it's don't know the name of that plug to order a proper adaptor. I only know it by the type of cable, RG 6, but I don't know the name of the connector.

[@JM-rh2gr]

Useful info

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!

[@johnbauman4005]

Josh, Thought you had a video on how to attach PL-259s to coax, but can't find it. You now have SO many excellent vids but no way to go back and mine the info. So, if you did such a video can you point me to it, and more importantly, any hope of getting some sort of searchable PDF or spread sheet or index of your videos? It seems like there is word processsing software that can create an index from documents and the scripts of your vids could be used to create the index...wouldn't be perfect thanks to voice rec errors, but would still be HUGE for your subscribers. Thanks! 73, John - KK7JBZ

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Go to my channel and click the little magnifying glass. Also, I have no video specifically on coax connectors.

[@franklyre]

Are BNC connectors only for uhf/vhf? How about for HF? I unscrew my antenna from my IC7300 each time I'm done......just in case......this would be easier but are BNCs rated for HF?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes. Most qrp radios use bnc.

[@sethjenna2561]

Josh, have a question.. I have a Nagoya antenna that I want to use on my Radioddity GD77. Can I use the female/male SMA adapters or would it blow my equipment?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It would work, but chance to snap the connector would go up.

[@sethjenna2561]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks for the response! Great channel and keep up the good work. Highly informative.

[@mrtechie6810]

How much loss at 2.4 GHz?

[@DanTaylorDotCom]

Unfortunately, the link didn't work for me.

[@MaxHedrm]

Wouldn't you rather a bit of wobble in your cheap, replaceable connector to absorb movement than have the connector on your radio absorb it? Clearly an unintended "feature," but it seems it might be a plus. Almost like a fuse.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You would think so, but no it can lead to an issue were too much wobble can lead to a short being generated or a disconnect of the antenna. For my money want to rigid so there are no issues with SWR or loss of connection.

[@MaxHedrm]

My thought was I'd rather replace the adapter a dozen times than replace the radio because I broke the connector off the board. :) But I guess if that shorts, it can take out other things in the radio as well.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Its alot less likely to break BNC connections off of the QRP radios than the little SMAs off the HTs.

[@MaxHedrm]

Ham Radio Crash Course just don’t hook up some LM400 or something directly to it. 🤣

[@gerhardvanwykzs4rum685]

I hate bnc connectors

[@DillonOrbon]

FUDD LIFE

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Lol, me a fudd? Get real.

[@DillonOrbon]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse your patch on the bench bro. Nice every 2nd matters patch, love mine.