BNC connector quest.

[nyscan00]

I have a hustler mag mount antenna with a pin-plug connector. i would liek to cut this end off and replace it with a BNC connector.(to connect to my scanenr) I bought the "phone-bnc" adapter from radio shack but I notice a huge reception loss because the connection is not good.

How do I go about changing the end to a BNC connector? Do I need special tools ?

Please help if u can
Thanx

 

[Voyager]

How do I go about changing the end to a BNC connector? Do I need special tools ?

It depends on who makes the connector and how good the quality is.

Some are crimp on. Some take wrenches and soldering irons.

Joe M.

 

[nyscan00]

im looking for an average quality connector....
I wasnt looking to soder but are the soder - on connectors better then twist on ones?
I want a bnc connector that will have minimal signal loss when attached to the scanner

thanks

 

[Pro-95]

im looking for an average quality connector....

OK, twist-on's are average quality but I've found that the quality of the connection still depends on your patientence with following directions and paying attention to the small stuff. Don't forget that one bad connection will kill the best antenna with the best cabling connected to the best receiver.

I wasnt looking to soder but are the soder - on connectors better then twist on ones?

Yes, otherwise everything would come with twist on fittings.

I want a bnc connector that will have minimal signal loss when attached to the scanner

Your first statement and this one don't match. However go with the solder on ones when and where you can.

 

[JohnWayne]

This will probably start a holy war, but I always suggest going with crimp connectors over solder connectors. Just about every commercial, cellular, public safety, etc installation uses crimp connectors. They provide the most consistent connection with the least amount of room for error. People who think that crimp connections are weak and unreliable have never invested the time to learn how to properly crimp a connector. Every time I show someone how much better crimping is, they almost always convert from their old solder ways.

Back to your problem. You can get clamp on BNC connectors where you can solder the center pin (though crimping is recommended), and clamp the body to the outer conductor and insulation of the coax. These connectors are available here. However, if you are going to be doing more than a few connector installations, then I would suggest going ahead and investing in the proper tooling. You can see a few good tools by clicking here. The Sargent tool will do crimp all the BNC connectors you could ever want.

That is my two cents. Let me know if you have any questions.

Jeff

 

[nyscan00]

Thanks for all the help

I went with the RS solderless BNC adapter (cat # 278-185) and it is working fine

 

[K2KOH]

This will probably start a holy war, but I always suggest going with crimp connectors over solder connectors. Just about every commercial, cellular, public safety, etc installation uses crimp connectors. They provide the most consistent connection with the least amount of room for error. People who think that crimp connections are weak and unreliable have never invested the time to learn how to properly crimp a connector. Every time I show someone how much better crimping is, they almost always convert from their old solder ways.

You're right, they do, and it won't start a holy war. Commercial user also use professional crimping tools for their equipment.
Soldering is a P.I.T.A. :twisted:

 

[ECPD279]

I used to use crimp on connectors when I installed CCTV. I probably installed over a thousand BNC's and never had to replace one. If you do it right, and use a professional crimping tool, you'll do fine.