RG6 - PL-259 Adapter --- CONFUSED!!!

[Freeski]

Hey everyone,
My discone antenna just came in! I just got back from town with a length of RG6 however I need to find an adapter that will connect the RG6 to my antenna.

My antenna has a female PL-259 connector. So what adapter do I need? Ive been reading so much and I'm just getting more confused.

I think Im looking for a PL-259 to F connector, or is it N?

Here is my antenna:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5752639315

Sorry for the dumb question.

 

[FPO703]

More than likely it's an N Connector. an 'F' connector is what is used commonly with Cable/Satellite TV setups.

 

[Freeski]

Hmm, the packaging on my RG6 said that it is for satellite dishes however I read somewhere that I could use it for my scanner as well..

 

[diskmonger]

Hmm, the packaging on my RG6 said that it is for satellite dishes however I read somewhere that I could use it for my scanner as well..

75ohm rg6 cable is fine for a scanner antenna. You need to put a CATV "F" connector on your RG6 and then find an "F" to "PL259" adapter. Radio Shack should sell either of these.

 

[Freeski]

Thanks for the info. Radio Shack didnt carry anything :evil:

But my RG6 does have a connector on each end so I guess I just need the "F" to "PL259".

I guess I need two of these, one for my antenna and one for my actual scanner.

 

[Freeski]

There, I think I have it all figured out.

I need:

"F" female - BNC male -to connect cable to scanner
"F" female - PL-259 male -to connect cable to antenna

I sure hope this is right! Im going to head to another radio shack and see what they have.

:lol:

 

[diskmonger]

There, I think I have it all figured out.

I need:

"F" female - BNC male -to connect cable to scanner
"F" female - PL-259 male -to connect cable to antenna

I sure hope this is right! Im going to head to another radio shack and see what they have.

:lol:

That's it! I'm suprised RS didn't carry those adaptors.

 

[Freeski]

They do not carry the PL259 adapter, I may have to get a PL259 to BNC and then another BNC to F

 

[JGP]

Freeski,

You need just one connector for the anteenna end, an F Female to PL259 Male.

Then you need one F Female to BNC Male to connect to the scanner.

Grove sells what you need. Go to their web site at www.grove-ent.com

Joel
Franklin, Wisconsin

 

[diskmonger]

They do not carry the PL259 adapter, I may have to get a PL259 to BNC and then another BNC to F

Ouch. Just keep in mind the more adapters and connectors you use, the more signal loss you are going to have.

Diskmonger

 

[DSYCUTTER]

yeah pl259 to bnc then use a F to bnc..... I am really surprised you cant find the stuff at rat shack in the drawers, not necassarily hanging on the wall.

 

[jbstahr]

Why not just clip off both "F" Connectors and get one PL-259 connector for the antenna side and one BNC connector for the scanner side? It will save you loss and make life much easier. :idea:

 

[astrodanco]

Why not just clip off both "F" Connectors and get one PL-259 connector for the antenna side and one BNC connector for the scanner side? It will save you loss and make life much easier. :idea:

You should read the very long discussion over at eham.net concerning the proper soldering of PL-259 connectors. PL-259 connectors seem to be more of a PITA than anything else. Too bad his antenna didn't come with an N connector. On the other hand, six-piece BNC solder-clamp connectors are a breeze to install. They're well constructed, physically strong, and generally perform well. Learning how to use the coax stripper tool to properly strip the coax takes only a little practice. I found a PDF on the web with good soldering and assembly technique for solder clamp BNC connectors. Perhaps he should consider cutting off the "F" connector on the scanner end and installing a BNC instead.

 

[K5MAR]

Why not just clip off both "F" Connectors and get one PL-259 connector for the antenna side and one BNC connector for the scanner side? It will save you loss and make life much easier. :idea:

You should read the very long discussion over at eham.net concerning the proper soldering of PL-259 connectors. PL-259 connectors seem to be more of a PITA than anything else. Too bad his antenna didn't come with an N connector. On the other hand, six-piece BNC solder-clamp connectors are a breeze to install. They're well constructed, physically strong, and generally perform well. Learning how to use the coax stripper tool to properly strip the coax takes only a little practice. I found a PDF on the web with good soldering and assembly technique for solder clamp BNC connectors. Perhaps he should consider cutting off the "F" connector on the scanner end and installing a BNC instead.

I've seen a lot of poorly installed PL connectors, but it's really not that hard to do. I'd say the key is having a proper wattage iron/gun.

How about posting a link to the .pdf, I'm sure there are many who would find it handy.

Mark S.

 

[astrodanco]

How about posting a link to the .pdf, I'm sure there are many who would find it handy.

http://www.cprl.ars.usda.gov/programs/TDR_S3.PDF

Mind you, I found this helpful only because I had never done it before. This document is part of a larger topic that was of no interest (to me). The section I found helpful is a few paragraphs down and is headed "Attaching BNC connectors (clamp/solder type) to RG58 cable." After this section the document goes on to other stuff that is also of no particular interest (to me).

 

[TeRayCodA]

Why not just clip off both "F" Connectors and get one PL-259 connector for the antenna side and one BNC connector for the scanner side? It will save you loss and make life much easier. :idea:

Keep in mind that the RG-6 coax shield is ALUMINUM,and will not solder to the PL 259.This is why I use adapters when working with RG 6 to PL 259.
The BNC,on the other hand,will be OK.

 

[K5MAR]

Why not just clip off both "F" Connectors and get one PL-259 connector for the antenna side and one BNC connector for the scanner side? It will save you loss and make life much easier. :idea:

Keep in mind that the RG-6 coax shield is ALUMINUM,and will not solder to the PL 259.This is why I use adapters when working with RG 6 to PL 259.
The BNC,on the other hand,will be OK.

There are special crimp-style PL connectors made for use with RG-6 coax. I found them a couple of years ago. They were being sold by Alltronics Electronic Supply www.alltronics.com . It is the UHF Male - Cable crimp for RG6U", p/n CU051. They also sell a BNC connector - p/n CB081. I haven't bought any in several years, so I can't guarantee they are still available, but it's worth checking into.

Mark S.

 

[n4yek]

Here is what I found:
(as someone mentioned earlier) :
http://www.grove-ent.com/ANTADAP.html
Order adaptors ADP02 (F female to pl-259) and ADP09 (F female to BNC male)

Hope this helped,

Danny
N4YEK

 

[TeRayCodA]

K5MAR;

They appear to still have them in stock,Thanks.

http://www.alltronics.com/uhf__connectors.htm#UHF CONNECTORS

 

[growboy]

Since you're in Ontario, give Durham radio a call, or check their website for the adapter, and get some co-ax seal as well. It will help to keep it working a long time. Cheers