PL-259/SO-239 Return Loss and Attenuation Test
We pit the PL-259 (and SO-239) against more recent connectors. This is the list of contenders plus a description of the test setup.
Ham Radio . Magnum Experimentum
Antennas, experiments, engineering and other articles of interest to radio folks.
We pit the PL-259 (and SO-239) against more recent connectors. This is the list of contenders plus a description of the test setup.
Cutaway examinations, mathematical calculations, VNA measurements and proposed compensation techniques round out a nice article by W0QE about the UHF connector.
I measured the SWR and Return Loss of a loaner Diamond X50 antenna.
Basic tests of the LNR Precision EF-10/20/40 multi-band portable HF EFHW antenna including S11, SWR and a bandwidth check of the match box.
The background and details of the LNR (Par Electronics) EF-10/20/40 end fed half-wave multi-band portable HF antenna. Come see what’s inside the mysterious “black box.”
Real measured data reveal the UHF (PL259 and SO239) connectors have real limitations.
Lab tests show post WW2 connector designs perform exceptionally well up to 500 MHz. The SMA, BNC, TNC and N connectors are great.
The PL259/SO239 (aka UHF) connectors have harsh critics and religious defenders. Questionable measurement techniques complicate matters. Let’s clear things up.
Fab Corp offers a decent PL-259 connector, heatshrink and crimp tool for a decent price.