k2 antenna connector

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k2 antenna connector

wsm-3
Hi

Has anyone ever changed the antenna connector on the K2 to a
SO239 instead of the bnc connector?

I'm just beginning assembly of the RF board and not far enough
along to see what the antenna connector setup is going to look like.

Sure would rather have the SO239 if it's not a big deal to change it.

Thanks
Scott N5SM



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RE: k2 antenna connector

Gregg R. Lengling
Not on the basic K2 but on the K2-100 and the KAT-100 I changed all the
SO-239's to N's.


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email]
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 1:48 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] k2 antenna connector

Hi

Has anyone ever changed the antenna connector on the K2 to a
SO239 instead of the bnc connector?

I'm just beginning assembly of the RF board and not far enough
along to see what the antenna connector setup is going to look like.

Sure would rather have the SO239 if it's not a big deal to change it.

Thanks
Scott N5SM



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RE: k2 antenna connector

Darwin, Keith
In reply to this post by wsm-3
Hi Scott,

Well, the BNC is soldered to the board and then just sticks out the back
of the rig.   Changing it to SO-239 would probably require enlarging the
opening in the case and possibly moving the hole up.  That may get in
the way of options down the road.

It will probably be easier to build a pigtail cable for yourself.  BNC
on one end, PL259 on the other.  Use a barrel connector to make it
SO-239.

The other path to SO-239 is with the KPA100.  That baby uses SO-239.

Hmmm, come to think of it, maybe you could put an SO-239 in the back
edge of the top panel, same place it would be with the KPA100.  A small
coax jumper to the board and you just might be in business.

- Keith N1AS -
- K2 5411.SSB -

-----Original Message-----
Has anyone ever changed the antenna connector on the K2 to a
SO239 instead of the bnc connector?

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Re: k2 antenna connector

w6jd
In reply to this post by wsm-3
BNC -> UHF  connecters are readily available. Try mouser or Jameco. Come to think of it I believe
that Elecraft has one available.

73,
Doug
W6JD

-------------- Original message --------------
From: [hidden email]

> Hi
>
> Has anyone ever changed the antenna connector on the K2 to a
> SO239 instead of the bnc connector?
>
> I'm just beginning assembly of the RF board and not far enough
> along to see what the antenna connector setup is going to look like.
>
> Sure would rather have the SO239 if it's not a big deal to change it.
>
> Thanks
> Scott N5SM
>
>
>
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> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
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>
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Re: k2 antenna connector

Don Nesbitt
So does your local Radio Shack!  '73 -- Don N4HH

----- Original Message -----
From: <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 4:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] k2 antenna connector


> BNC -> UHF  connecters are readily available. Try mouser or Jameco. Come
> to think of it I believe
> that Elecraft has one available.
>
> 73,
> Doug
> W6JD

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Re: k2 antenna connector

NR5A
In reply to this post by Darwin, Keith
I don't know what they are called but I got a deal that has the BNC
connector and on the other end is a SO-239. That works great for me. Sorry I
just don't know the name of it but they are common and easy to get. I think
I got mine from Rat Shack.

Jerry - NR5A - South Dakota
----- Original Message -----
From: "Darwin, Keith" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 1:01 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] k2 antenna connector


Hi Scott,

Well, the BNC is soldered to the board and then just sticks out the back
of the rig.   Changing it to SO-239 would probably require enlarging the
opening in the case and possibly moving the hole up.  That may get in
the way of options down the road.

It will probably be easier to build a pigtail cable for yourself.  BNC
on one end, PL259 on the other.  Use a barrel connector to make it
SO-239.

The other path to SO-239 is with the KPA100.  That baby uses SO-239.

Hmmm, come to think of it, maybe you could put an SO-239 in the back
edge of the top panel, same place it would be with the KPA100.  A small
coax jumper to the board and you just might be in business.

- Keith N1AS -
- K2 5411.SSB -

-----Original Message-----
Has anyone ever changed the antenna connector on the K2 to a
SO239 instead of the bnc connector?

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Re: k2 antenna connector

Phil Kane-2
In reply to this post by wsm-3
On Mon, 20 Nov 2006 15:22:37 -0700, nr5a wrote:

>I don't know what they are called but I got a deal that has the
>BNC connector and on the other end is a SO-239.

  It's called an adapter.....

--
   73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane
   Elecraft K2/100   s/n 5402






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Re: k2 antenna connector

David Cutter
In reply to this post by Gregg R. Lengling
I'm going around my contest station changing all the 239s for Ns.
David
G3UNA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gregg R. Lengling" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>; <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 7:53 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] k2 antenna connector


> Not on the basic K2 but on the K2-100 and the KAT-100 I changed all the
> SO-239's to N's.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of [hidden email]
> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 1:48 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] k2 antenna connector
>
> Hi
>
> Has anyone ever changed the antenna connector on the K2 to a
> SO239 instead of the bnc connector?
>
> I'm just beginning assembly of the RF board and not far enough
> along to see what the antenna connector setup is going to look like.
>
> Sure would rather have the SO239 if it's not a big deal to change it.
>
> Thanks
> Scott N5SM
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
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>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
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Re: k2 antenna connector

David Pratt
In a recent message, David Cutter <[hidden email]> wrote ...
>I'm going around my contest station changing all the 239s for Ns.
>David
>G3UNA

Why?  How many dB gain to you expect to achieve by changing to N-type?
The BNC connector should be plenty adequate for the K2.

In contests, everybody is 599 anyway ;-)

73 de David G4DMP


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Re: Re: k2 antenna connector

David Cutter
In reply to this post by wsm-3
Hello David

It's not a gain or vswr issue it's one of reliability.  We've had so many plugs and sockets become defective with wx/mis-handling/connections makes and re-makes, etc that the 239s are just not up to it.  Also you cannot be sure that you have the right thread - there's more than one.  We tape over all our outdoor connections, even tho the N is notionally waterproof, but for quick testing we don't and it is not a problem for over-weekend to leave them untaped if we are in the middle of a contest.  Whereas 239s have leaked and failed within a 48 hour contest, so you have to be diligent.  

Frankly, I think the industry went the wrong way when it chose 239s to amateur equipment; I know it was for cost reasons and then it became a standard.  The modern ones with the new braid connection arrangement (as in the N) is far superior, but the N is still better and fits in the same space for similar money.  

I'm perfectly happy with the BNC on the K2 and it would be a good choice for all moderate power amateur equipment.  No threads to get crossed etc.  The only issue is it's a bit more fiddly to fit the cable connector.

David
G3UNA

>
> From: David Pratt <[hidden email]>
> Date: 2006/11/21 Tue AM 07:28:36 GMT
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] k2 antenna connector
>
> In a recent message, David Cutter <[hidden email]> wrote ...
> >I'm going around my contest station changing all the 239s for Ns.
> >David
> >G3UNA
>
> Why?  How many dB gain to you expect to achieve by changing to N-type?
> The BNC connector should be plenty adequate for the K2.
>
> In contests, everybody is 599 anyway ;-)
>
> 73 de David G4DMP
>
>
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Re: Re: k2 antenna connector

Rick Dettinger-2
> I'm perfectly happy with the BNC on the K2 and it would be a good choice
for all moderate power amateur equipment.  No threads to get crossed etc.
The only issue is it's a bit more fiddly to fit the cable connector.
>
> David
> G3UNA
==============================================
I operate QRP only and really like BNC connectors.  I change rigs almost as
often as I change keys, including during a QSO.  The BNC connectors make
this a snap.  There is one other issue I have found.  As far as I can
determine, there are no BNC connectors made for larger coax, such as RG213.
Not a problem in the shack, small cables are one of the advantages of QRP.
The problem is the connector on the cable that comes into the shack, as even
(especially) QRP stations benefit from the low loss available with large
coax.  I need to use an intermediate RG 58 cable with a BNC plug on one end
and UHF on the other and a connector.  Not a big deal really.  I have
replaced the UHF connectors on my non Elecraft kits, including my OHR WM2,
with the BNC adaptors sold by Morse Express.  The work very well.  Now I
just to need deal with non standard key and power jacks.
73
Rick Dettinger
K7MW

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Re: Re: k2 antenna connector

wd4lst
In reply to this post by wsm-3
Rick,
Amphenol part number 6775 is a BNC plug for RG8/213. Newark electronics has them. They are pretty pricey (~30 + shipping), but would keep you from having to use adapters and excess connectors.
Last time I used RG213 with my K1, I had a hard time keeping the K1 on the table - You could suspend it off the end of the coax.
73s,
Pete
>
> From: "Rick Dettinger" <[hidden email]>
> Date: 2006/11/21 Tue AM 10:24:40 CST
> To: <[hidden email]>,  "David Pratt" <[hidden email]>,
> <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: Re: [Elecraft] k2 antenna connector

> The problem is the connector on the cable that comes into the shack, as even
> (especially) QRP stations benefit from the low loss available with large
> coax.  I need to use an intermediate RG 58 cable with a BNC plug on one end

>
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>

Pete Axson
WD4LST
17901 NE 18th Ave
Citra, FL 32113

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RE: Re: k2 antenna connector

Ron D'Eau Claire-2
In reply to this post by Rick Dettinger-2
A properly installed BNC is extremely reliable in environments where the
cables are moved around a great deal. (There's a reason most test equipment
manufacturers chose BNC for RF ports on their gear where cables are
connected and disconnected constantly.) Of course, the "bayonet" type
connector is much faster to change than one with a lot of threads.

The BNC will handle > 1.5 kilowatt of RF, so power isn't a consideration for
Hams using them at reasonable SWR levels. Good quality BNCs have a peak
voltage rating of about 500 volts. That's the same voltage rating as the
large SO/PL259 connectors(1)! Insertion loss and SWR will be very, very low
at HF. (It's < 0.3dB and SWR < 1.3:1 up at 1 GHz in a good quality unit such
as an Amphenol(2).) But, since most installations use a larger diameter coax
on high power installations, they also use a larger type of connector.

For outdoor use, I've yet to see a connector I'll trust by itself to real
weather. I've done a lot of work on large ships, so when I talk about "real
weather" I mean hurricane-force winds blowing salt water around! In that
environment, most of the HF equipment I've worked with used SO/PL-239
connectors. Yep, the "UHF" connectors developed by Amphenol back in the
1930's that we find on the back of our KPA100 amplifiers. You'll still find
them on coax feeding HF antennas on ships of all sizes. I never saw a
weather-related failure in one that was properly installed, but it requires
a little more than just soldering a connector on the line. It is true they
are *not* weather proof, so when "properly installed" they are coated with
something like coax-seal. That's a material that comes in rolls like tape,
but which after being wrapped around the connector can be molded like putty
to form a water tight seal. A layer of conventional tape on top of it
finishes the job.

If/when it comes time to remove the connection, one uses a knife to cut
through the coax seal "jacket' around the connector and cable, then it is
peeled away from the connector and cable inside. Inside will be the old coax
and connector clean and shining bright and pretty just like the day it was
put on,  even though it many have been on there a couple of years and the
rest of the coax may be starting to look like something pulled out of an
ancient archeological dig.

I'd not trust a normal connector to *any* outdoor weather, since a little
water will cause instant trouble and water has a way of finding itself in
small cracks even without a hurricane force wind behind it.  

Ron AC7AC

1) http://www.amphenolrf.com/products/uhf.asp

2) http://www.amphenolrf.com/products/bnc.asp


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Re: Re: k2 antenna connector

Rick Dettinger-2
In reply to this post by Rick Dettinger-2
> Rick,
> Amphenol part number 6775 is a BNC plug for RG8/213. Newark electronics
has them. They are pretty pricey (~30 + shipping), but would keep you from
having to use adapters and excess connectors.
> Last time I used RG213 with my K1, I had a hard time keeping the K1 on the
table - You could suspend it off the end of the coax.
> 73s,
> Pete
====================================
Thanks, Pete - I guess the cheaper solution would be to use a UHF jack on
the
antenna input to my tuner.  When I started with QRP about 7 years ago, the
last piece of QRO equipment in my shack was a TenTec 2KW tuner.  It seemed
strange, feeding RF to my NorCal 40A, but it did a good job anchoring the
RG213 line.  And I know about attaching the 213 direct to my K1.  It takes a
brick to keep the rig on the bench.
73
Rick Dettinger
K7MW

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RE: k2 antenna connector

Arie Kleingeld PA3A
In reply to this post by Phil Kane-2
So.... on HF it makes no difference if I use BNC or SO239.

My MP has so239, that's a fact.
My HF antennes + coax have PL239, a fact in my case (in my 30 years of
ham radio always used them and they never failed me)
The K2 has BNC, that's a fact.
A simple bnc-so239 adapter is permanently connected to the bnc of my K2.
Problem solved.

73
Arie PA3A

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Re: k2 antenna connector

John GM4SLV
In reply to this post by Rick Dettinger-2
On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 08:24:40 -0800
"Rick Dettinger" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> As far as I can determine, there are no BNC connectors made for
> larger coax, such as RG213.

I find Elecraft's use of real RF connectors refreshingly professional.

BTW you can get BNCs to fit large cable too...

http://docs-europe.electrocomponents.com/webdocs/0267/0900766b80267ed1.pdf

but I find it a bit awkward - RG213/214 is a quite heavy and must put
quite a bit of stress on a BNC.

That's what C connectors are for...

Cheers,

John GM4SLV
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