whats the difference between type N, and type F connectors?

[NorwalkRXing]

Can someone tell me the difference between the 2 connectors, and possibly post a picture of an N type connector!..

 

[edN]

Google is your best friend. Run a search, and you'll see what I mean.

For several N type pics look here: http://www.alltronics.com/n_adapters.htm

 

[fourwd1]

"F" connectors are used for TV antennas and cable TV applications.

"N" connectors are used for high frequency (UHF) antennas and radios.

("UHF" connectors, also known as PL-259 (m) & SO-239 (f) connectors, are not good at UHF frequencies, go figure.)

 

[N_Jay]

("UHF" connectors, also known as PL-259 (m) & SO-239 (f) connectors, are not good at UHF frequencies, go figure.)

They were designed for some of the first UHF equipment. (Military)
Of course UHF was 300 to about 450 back then.

 

[NorwalkRXing]

if PL-259's are not good for UHF, then how come some companies don't change there connections on there antennas? for instance, my Diamond Discone comes with a SO-239 connection which requires a PL-259..what would be a better connection for this antenna?

 

[DaveH]

They were designed for some of the first UHF equipment. (Military)
Of course UHF was 300 to about 450 back then.

I believe the PL-259/SO-239 were first used on IBM teminal equipment.
They are not constant-impedence connectors, in fact the cable was RG62/U (93 ohms).

Dave

 

[astrodanco]

....what would be a better connection for this antenna?

An N connector would be better.

 

[N_Jay]

They were designed for some of the first UHF equipment. (Military)
Of course UHF was 300 to about 450 back then.

I believe the PL-259/SO-239 were first used on IBM teminal equipment.
They are not constant-impedence connectors, in fact the cable was RG62/U (93 ohms).

Dave

Maybe.

I thought the PL/SO was a military designation.

But, as I have said before:
"I learn something new every day!" :wink:

 

[Pro-95]

I thought the PL/SO was a military designation.

But, as I have said before:
"I learn something new every day!" :wink:

PLug and SOcket. Sounds like a military thing.

 

[KC4ZEX]

PL 259's are fine for most use up through 512 Mhz. Most mobile radios have them in antenna systems. A few motorola's have their special little rinky dink connectors that I don't like. You find the larger N connectors on Commercial more expensive base antennas and repeater antennas where hardline is used instead of coax.

 

[N4DES]

N connectors are 50 ohm and F connectors are 75 ohm also.

They are both capable of being low loss at high frequencies (up to 1GHz) but not interchangable on the same type of transmission lines.

PL/SO 239 are just toys...poor impedance match above 400 MHz. If you looking for a small connector and is easy to use I would go with a BNC. It has almost identical characteristics to an N connector without the size.

 

[n7mk]

N connectors are 50 ohm and F connectors are 75 ohm also.

Not necessarily.. I have some 75 ohm 'N' connectors lying here. The difference primarily being the diameter of the center pin. They are used in CATV infrastructure. Seen lots of them at hamfests... so be careful when you think you're getting a smoking deal on N connectors that you intend to use for 50ohm applications.


M

 

[jhooten]

N connectors are 50 ohm and F connectors are 75 ohm also.

Not necessarily.. I have some 75 ohm 'N' connectors lying here. The difference primarily being the diameter of the center pin. They are used in CATV infrastructure. Seen lots of them at hamfests... so be careful when you think you're getting a smoking deal on N connectors that you intend to use for 50ohm applications.


M

You beat me to it for the N connectors, the same applies to BNC. They can be had in a 75 ohm version also.

Putting a 75 ohm plug into a 50 socket will damage the center pin in the socket.

 

[DaveH]

Sounds like a military thing.

PL and SO are from the Amphenol part numbers which are not military. I believe military coaxial connector names start with "UG", just like the coax names start with "RG".

Dave

 

[NorwalkRXing]

so heres the dilema that I'm in...later today I'm ordering 65' of LMR-400 coax, and I'll have the company also install the connectors on each end of the coax for me..but since my Diamond discone has a SO-239, i'm basically forced to use a PL-259 on one end of the LMR-400, while I have a BNC installed on the other end of coax for the scanner end... :

 

[fourwd1]

So what's the dilema? Just get what you need and you're done.

UHF connectors are used on a lot of antennas where N would be a better choice simply because they're cheaper.

 

[Highlander_821]

If you are using a good quality cable with PL-259's, and you change them to N connectors, are you really going to notice a difference? For monitoring from VHF up to, say, the 900 MHZ band? I seriously doubt it.

 

[NorwalkRXing]

o.k...I'm glad to hear that..looks like I won't be sacraficing much at all, with the PL-259 on one end, and the BNC on the orther...the LMR-400 that I ordered this morning, has been shipped..when I recieve it next week, I'll let everyone know how it turns out..

 

[N4DES]

N connectors are 50 ohm and F connectors are 75 ohm also.

Not necessarily.. I have some 75 ohm 'N' connectors lying here. The difference primarily being the diameter of the center pin. They are used in CATV infrastructure. Seen lots of them at hamfests... so be careful when you think you're getting a smoking deal on N connectors that you intend to use for 50ohm applications.


M

You beat me to it for the N connectors, the same applies to BNC. They can be had in a 75 ohm version also.

Putting a 75 ohm plug into a 50 socket will damage the center pin in the socket.

Yeah you guys are right...I gotta stop posting so early in the morning.