The UHF connector is the most common connector in amateur radio applications up to 150 MHz. At low frequencies, the power handling is rather better than that of the similar-sized N connector. The average power handling of the PTFE versions is essentially set by heating of the center pin, and is therefore frequency-dependent, as the RF resistance rises as the skin depth falls. There is variation between manufacturers with the choice of dielectric, the PTFE types being favored where low loss is desired. UHF connectors are generally usable through what is now known as the VHF and HF frequencies and can handle RF power levels over one kilowatt. This connector was developed on basis of a shielded banana plug. Originally intended for use as a video connector in radar applications, the connector was later used for other RF applications. The UHF connector, also called the Amphenol coaxial connector, is a World War II threaded RF connector design, from an era when " UHF" referred to frequencies over 30 MHz. There are some I avoid like the plague UHF, Belling-Lee, F. SMA is next if neither N nor SMA will do then it really depends on the application. There is a reason most RF test equipment uses it, and it is effectively our lab standard (tons of N attenuators, mixers, couplers, etc). I almost always default to N for professional applications unless frequency or form factor cause problems, mostly because of it's robustness and how common it is. Sometimes you just need different connectors so things aren't hooked up incorrectly. Maximum power handling and impedance aren't nearly as important for receive applications, but factor into choices when power amplifiers are involved. Robustness and number of insertion cycles can be important some connectors are only rated for < 30 mating cycles, and if you need to operate equipment with gloves SMA probably isn't a great choice. I've finally settled on SMA for my current applications, but will likely need to consider N in the future, as I grow beyond simple "scanning" and get more involved with amateur radio.įrequency range ( /u/SodaAnt covered this) but also physical size, for example MMCX and U.FL are common for space constrained applications some compact SDRs use SMB for this reason. While I generally understood impedance, I also didn't realize that RG6/RG58 and RG59 differ by impedance (75Ω vs 50Ω, respectively), which may be of concern (especially when transmitting, which isn't the case with RTL-SDR - please correct me if I'm wrong). I've since learned that SMA is NOT the same as F (as I mistakenly thought), UHF (SO-239) generally sucks (not only because it can be confused with N), and BNC is OK in certain applications, where one may require repeated/quick connect/disconnect. What are some of the reasons you would choose one type over another? Thanks in advance!ĮDIT: Thank you all for your valuable input. I've been tinkering with my RTL-SDR dongle with an MCX connector, and I'm in the process of building a planar disc antenna, which naturally leads me to ponder the many RF connector types. In contrast, the Planar Disk is almost free and it performs quite well in an indoor setting. Just because an antenna "is sold" does not mean its good or even marginal. Please verify your dongle is working with a good antenna before complaining that you cannot receive something. Here is a great, broadband Planar Disk Antenna that outperforms most commercial antennas of similar size for under $65-75 and can be built in a half hour or less by beginners with less than $10 in parts. See our wiki with tutorials and other resources including a Quick Start page to verify your dongle works. The rtl-sdr project page Source of the rtl-sdr driver software and hub for its continued development. Resources - Please read this first - before posting!
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