Skip to content

Ham Radio . Magnum Experimentum

Antennas, experiments, engineering and other articles of interest to radio folks.

  • Home
  • Radio Shorthand
    • Morse Abbreviations
    • Morse Code
    • Phonetic Alphabet
    • Q Signals
    • RST Signal Report
  • Tech Talk
    • Antenna Gain
    • Antenna Counterpoise
    • Digital
    • Logging Software
  • Amateur Radio, Why?
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Request Account
    • Contact
    • Sitemap
    • Advertise
  • Subjects
    • Activities
    • Antennas
    • contesting
    • Connectors
    • Digital Modes
    • EmComm
    • Installations
    • interfaces
    • Introspection
    • Lab Shootouts
    • Miscellaneous
    • mobile
    • NEC Shootouts
    • News
    • Operating Tips
    • power supply
    • Accessories
    • Promoting
    • Propagation
    • Public Service
    • Radios
    • Repair
    • Reviews
    • Safety
    • Software
    • station
    • Test Gear
    • Tomfoolery
    • Whackers
  • Home
  • Radio Shorthand
    • Morse Abbreviations
    • Morse Code
    • Phonetic Alphabet
    • Q Signals
    • RST Signal Report
  • Tech Talk
    • Antenna Gain
    • Antenna Counterpoise
    • Digital
    • Logging Software
  • Amateur Radio, Why?
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Request Account
    • Contact
    • Sitemap
    • Advertise
  • Subjects
    • Activities
    • Antennas
    • contesting
    • Connectors
    • Digital Modes
    • EmComm
    • Installations
    • interfaces
    • Introspection
    • Lab Shootouts
    • Miscellaneous
    • mobile
    • NEC Shootouts
    • News
    • Operating Tips
    • power supply
    • Accessories
    • Promoting
    • Propagation
    • Public Service
    • Radios
    • Repair
    • Reviews
    • Safety
    • Software
    • station
    • Test Gear
    • Tomfoolery
    • Whackers

N

BOB, the battery operated “beacon” for APRS

August 4, 2019July 29, 2019

I built a prototype APRS beacon, dubbed Thor Hammer (big), to test back-packable APRS 2m beacon concepts.

Categories Portable Tags 2m, APRS, backpack, Byonics, dipole, EFHW, end-fed, hiking, Laird, Larsen, N, NMO, portable, PVC, SMA

When an N connector isn’t

January 1, 2021November 16, 2018
Gauge set to about 10.7 mm to show the bulkhead N female connectors clearance for a mating connector is close, but not quite long enough to ensure a full mate of the inner connector mechanics.

You would think the world of RF connectors of the pedigree of the “N” would rigorously follow the dictates of the standards that define them. Thankfully most do, but exceptions arise and here is one such example of why it pays to “trust, but verify.”

Categories Connectors Tags connector, measurement, N, N connector, T101, Times Technology

UHF BNC N Connector Return Loss Compared

May 31, 2018September 30, 2015
UHF BNC N Connector Return Loss Compared

A savvy ham performs testing on the UHF Connector and compares with BNC and N connectors.

Categories Connectors Tags Amphenol, BNC, N, PL259, SMA, SO-239, TNC, UHF connector

‘UHF’ Connector Test Results

January 11, 2017October 3, 2011
Insertion Loss of Various Connectors

Real measured data reveal the UHF (PL259 and SO239) connectors have real limitations.

Categories Connectors, Lab Shootouts Tags BNC, measurement, N, PL259, SMA, TNC, UHF, UHF connector

Lab Tests: SMA, BNC, TNC and N Connectors

May 28, 2016August 6, 2011

Lab tests show post WW2 connector designs perform exceptionally well up to 500 MHz. The SMA, BNC, TNC and N connectors are great.

Categories Connectors, Lab Shootouts Tags BNC, measurement, N, PL259, SMA, SO-239, TNC, UHF connector

PL-259/SO-239 Return Loss and Attenuation Test

May 28, 2016August 3, 2011

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.

Categories Connectors, Lab Shootouts Tags BNC, measurement, N, PL259, SMA, SO-239, TNC, UHF connector

Help support this site

Become a Patron!
Antenna and repeater parts

Topics & Keywords

2m 6m 10m 15m 20m 40m 43 foot 70cm 80m AHVD APRS Baluns battery BigIR copper Diamond dipole DX-Eng. EFHW Elecraft end-fed EZNEC Field Day Golden Packet hexbeam J-Pole Kenwood kj4faj KX3 kx4o measurement mobile NEC NMO NVIS packet PL259 QRP sdr Simulation SteppIR UHF vertical dipole verticals VHF

Recently popular

  • Improving the Super-J
  • Airspy YouLoop LF/MF/HF Möbius Receive Antenna
  • Build this Vertical Portable HF Antenna
  • Slim Jim vs. Traditional J-pole Antenna
  • EFHW LNR Precision EF-10/20/40MKII Examination
  • Simulating the end-fed half-wave (EFHW) dipole antenna
  • The 43 foot vertical – The answer to ...
  • Small Loop HF Antenna
  • J-Pole Antenna – Should I ground it?
  • Mast Mountable J-Pole Antenna
© 2007-2023 John Scott Huggins and other authors and creators, All Rights Reserved.