Why I hate F-Connectors

dnme

They are bloody awful,
You can't grip them to tighten them properly.
They fall assunder all too easily.
When you are screwing in an F-Connector to a STB, the weight of the cable has far too much influence on how hard it is to screw the connector home.
Way too much thread on em also, you are there trying to realign the dam cable as you continuously try to screw the dam thing over 20 rotations...
I just want something that plugn in.

I hate F-Connectors

byte

I find the compression F connectors to be quite good. They tend to have better threads also, for screwing into LNB/STB. Also, they look more professional too, and many are waterproof.

Downside is their extra expense.

I agree with the basic twist-on connectors. They do seem to break easily and threading them can be a nuisance (very sore on the fingers if you're doing lots of them at one time, like a distribution point).

ISAA

Only use good quality compression, and I agree with Byte.

St Senan

byte wrote: »

I find the compression F connectors to be quite good. They tend to have better threads also, for screwing into LNB/STB. Also, they look more professional too, and many are waterproof.

Downside is their extra expense.

I agree with the basic twist-on connectors. They do seem to break easily and threading them can be a nuisance (very sore on the fingers if you're doing lots of them at one time, like a distribution point).

Agree with Byte some of the f connectors can rip skin of your fingers especially in the cold weather. I use this http://www.tselectronic.com/ideal/ideal_images/35_046.jpg to screw on f connnectors. Also i use a tool that comes with Triax VHF/UHF combiners thats made of plastic and is shaped to fit around f connectors.

MACHEAD

Yes they're deffo fiddley alright, though sometimes they'll just thread up perfectly first time and away you go. They are however a big improvment on the old PL259 plugs. Anybody remember them? They're used extensively on comms/2 way RF equipment. To do the job properly you were supposed to solder both the center conductor and the screen in place. And in perfect conditions we often did! Though on a bitter cold January day with the feeling almost gone from your hands, and the cable nearly as stiff as an iron bar you'd let the screen go to hell! If the plug was a tight fit over the screen you'd get away with it anyway.

watty

ISAA wrote: »

Only use good quality compression, and I agree with Byte.

+1
I use stainless compression types with neoprene seal ring. Easy to crimp on cable (Mine crimp along the connector, not at sides giving Hex shape).

Easy to screw on setbox and LNB etc.

The screw onto cable type are rubbish as are the ones with just a separate compression ring that pushes over cable on bush (Like BNCs).

They are PCT-TRS-6 made by PCT International.

I hate nasty F-Connectors and I hate cheap cable.

channelsurfer2

so would i be foolish to try and use f connectors on my aerial without any tools? thought it would more or less the same as the old fashioned coaxial plugs to strip the wire and put on etc/

watty

Only the cheap rubbish F-connectors work without tools

You need crimp tools for decent RJ45, RJ11, BNC, F type, FME, SMA.

You need correct power soldering iron, files, spanners etc for other connectors.

For coax you often need multi-tool or different size tool for RG174, RG58, RG59, RG6/CT100/PF100, PF125, RG213 etc...

dnme

OP here again

I'm just a home user, not an installer. I have to undo my sat connection once a month and screw it into old sky box to keep sky ftv card alive. Apart from that, I use them rarele - maybe when moving kit around etc. But I still hate them.

Compression types sound great, but I could not justify costs of crimp tools

Apogee

dnme wrote: »

OP here again

I'm just a home user, not an installer. I have to undo my sat connection once a month and screw it into old sky box to keep sky ftv card alive. Apart from that, I use them rarele - maybe when moving kit around etc. But I still hate them.

Compression types sound great, but I could not justify costs of crimp tools

Get a manual switch like below available in Maplins.

http://info.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=17808

snaps

Apogee wrote: »

Get a manual switch like below available in Maplins.

http://info.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=17808

or use the loopthrough on the back of the other sat receiver??

montgolfiere

I offer a bit of support for the lowly screw on f-connector!!!!!

the problem with 'screw on' F-connectors is that they vary in the actual size of their thread!!! As does cable vary!!! These variations are quite small but for example if you have a slightly oversized F-connectors and a slightly undersized cable then you have a joint that is likely to come apart!!!! the reverse to this is a joint that actually cannot be made....ie. 'Too Tight'!!!

I have found that just so long as you buy f-connectors from a variety of suppliers and also carry some of all the different ones available from places like 'Satcure', you will always have a choice to suit the cable that you use and the cables that have already been fitted you come across on a daily basis!!!

as far as i know i have never had a problem since following this solution!!!

dont forget that there are special f-connectors available for 'shotgun' or other ' 4,5 ' cable

lucernarian

montgolfiere wrote: »

I offer a bit of support for the lowly screw on f-connector!!!!!

the problem with 'screw on' F-connectors is that they vary in the actual size of their thread!!! As does cable vary!!! These variations are quite small but for example if you have a slightly oversized F-connectors and a slightly undersized cable then you have a joint that is likely to come apart!!!! the reverse to this is a joint that actually cannot be made....ie. 'Too Tight'!!!

I have found that just so long as you buy f-connectors from a variety of suppliers and also carry some of all the different ones available from places like 'Satcure', you will always have a choice to suit the cable that you use and the cables that have already been fitted you come across on a daily basis!!!

as far as i know i have never had a problem since following this solution!!!

dont forget that there are special f-connectors available for 'shotgun' or other ' 4,5 ' cable

+1

Screw-on connectors can work pretty well in normal circumstances if they fit the cable well. And I'd always use a small pliers to screw on the connector and a second pliers in my pocket if I had to join the connector with an f-barrell joiner. Saves the skin being rubbed off my fingers!