On a sunny day (Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:54:02 -0700) it happened
jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote:

>Who invented the F connector? Let's find out and punish him.

Nothing wrong with F connectors, very nice system,
SMA sucks.

On 2021-08-15, Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:54:02 -0700, jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com
> wrote:
>
>>Who invented the F connector? Let's find out and punish him.
>
><https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F_connector>
> The F connector was invented by Eric E. Winston
> in the early 1950s while working for Jerrold Electronics
> on their development of cable television.
><https://patents.google.com/patent/US3537065>
>
> The F Connector has 10 major advantages over other connectors. It's
> cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap,
> and cheap. Did I mention that is also inexpensive?
>
> Many years ago, I got involved in a mechanical design competition of
> sorts. The task was to cost reduce the male F connector without
> reducing performance (return loss over frequency range), mechanical
> specifications (per SCTE standards), or introducing difficult to
> obtain materials. I tried and failed badly. The winner contrived a
> plated plastic threadless compression connector, which only broke one
> key features. It was only good for about 10 insertion cycles before
> it fell apart.
>
> Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the inventors of the BNC connector
> (Paul Neill, Carl Concelman, & Octavio M. Salati) punished for
> contriving an abomination instead of designing what should have been
> more like an F connector.

Didn't they also invent TNC? that's arguably more like an F connector.

> I cringe when I halucinate that home
> theater electronics could have been interconnected with BNC connectors
> were it not for the invention of the F connector.
><https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BNC_connector>

Some of it was, but pretty soon vendors dicovered that the cheaper
stamped sheet metal RCA Phono connector was good enough for standard
definition video. (well I guess technically that was before home
theatre was a thing)

--
Jasen.

On 2021-08-15, Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:45:23 -0700 (PDT), Three Jeeps
><jjhudak4@gmail.com> wrote:
>
: > So, what else is available? Please, ignore the hex crimper on the
> right. It's made for converting cylindrical connectors into hex
> connectors. It can survive about 10 lbs of pull before everything
> falls apart. Not recommended.

I have one something like that (it's blue and it has different
sized aperatures but otherwise same over-all) used with the ribbed crimp F
connectors it produces very strong connections, (tested to over 40Kg force)

--
Jasen.

jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote in
news:n71ghg1cl75lufkmcf1lij86o6d1l2h6g5@4ax.com:

> We have Suddenlink at the cabin, the only choice, and they're not so
> good.
>
>

Get a sat link there. ViaSat is a choice.

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in
news:f26ghg50dogfu1q65dvsomebkriuee2o4c@4ax.com:

> I can also rant endlessly about crappy coax, crimpers, strippers,
> connectors, and tools, but I'm short on time today.
>

Spectrum is using F type connectors the do not require a crimp. They
are really nice in the RG-6 stuff. Their RG-6 wire is top quality as
well from what I saw. I forgot to do my usual "hey can I get about a
15 foot length of that from you?" to the installer guy. Dang! This
thread reminded me of that.

On Sun, 15 Aug 2021 12:04:08 -0000 (UTC),
DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno@decadence.org wrote:

>jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote in
>news:n71ghg1cl75lufkmcf1lij86o6d1l2h6g5@4ax.com:
>
>> We have Suddenlink at the cabin, the only choice, and they're not so
>> good.
>>
>>
>
>Get a sat link there. ViaSat is a choice.

I eventually connected with a good Suddenlink guy (obviously in India)
and got a new modem, and he upgraded our service somehow for free. The
bandwidth is basically free for the cable companies, so if you're
annoyed/annoying enough they upgrade to make you happy. It's OK now,
and when it goes out now and then we can take a walk.

I'm waiting for 5G to replace everything.

A dish could be tricky in a place that's surrounded by trees and gets
40 feet of snow in a good year. In the summer, we hear the train
making a faint whistle off in the distance, but in the winter we
don't.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pa1zzfrt10k0w8z/Windows_1.JPG?raw-1

--

Father Brown's figure remained quite dark and still;
but in that instant he had lost his head. His head was
always most valuable when he had lost it.

On Sun, 15 Aug 2021 08:00:34 GMT, Jan Panteltje
<pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> wrote:

>On a sunny day (Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:54:02 -0700) it happened
>jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote:
>
>>Who invented the F connector? Let's find out and punish him.
>
>Nothing wrong with F connectors, very nice system,
>SMA sucks.

Fs are fair as long as you buy coax with a gold-plated inner
conductor.

What's wrong with SMAs? Even a cheap SMA pair is invisible to a 30 ps
TDR step. I don't recall ever having one break. This thread is about
flakey F connectors.

I'll have to TDR an F connector pair.

Yikes, there is a Vbite in F!

https://tinyurl.com/58muecsf

but 75 ohms is awkward.

--

Father Brown's figure remained quite dark and still;
but in that instant he had lost his head. His head was
always most valuable when he had lost it.

On a sunny day (Sun, 15 Aug 2021 07:21:21 -0700) it happened
jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote in
<d58ihg9f6ejedfui4caa7hr8t7ht0iahnu@4ax.com>:

>On Sun, 15 Aug 2021 08:00:34 GMT, Jan Panteltje
><pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>On a sunny day (Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:54:02 -0700) it happened
>>jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote:
>>
>>>Who invented the F connector? Let's find out and punish him.
>>
>>Nothing wrong with F connectors, very nice system,
>>SMA sucks.
>
>Fs are fair as long as you buy coax with a gold-plated inner
>conductor.

Na, some F connectors on sat dish have worked fine since year 2000 or so.
On the outside!

>What's wrong with SMAs? Even a cheap SMA pair is invisible to a 30 ps
>TDR step. I don't recall ever having one break.

I bought several one feet ^H^H^H^H 30.48 cm SMA connection cables a few weeks ago locally
as the ones I had from ebay sometimes gave bad connections (seems the pin is pushed
back if you do not screw it in carefully.
The chassis parts are OK.

>This thread is about
>flakey F connectors.
>
>I'll have to TDR an F connector pair.
>
>Yikes, there is a Vbite in F!
>
>https://tinyurl.com/58muecsf
>
>but 75 ohms is awkward.

What's in an Ohm....

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in
news:vtlghgldje4v3t1th7d33brnge05eqlan2@4ax.com:

> The F Connector has 10 major advantages over other connectors. It's
> cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap,
> and cheap. Did I mention that is also inexpensive?
>

The new versions are not so cheap. And they are sealed in the back
where the cable ingresses and inside the fitting head so it seals
against the face of the F barrel in the wall outlet. There are some
really nice RG-6 fittings out there now. 59... not so much. Even the
cable companies supplied jumpers are all RG-6 here. They are cheap,
per se, but I am sure these are a bit more expensive than what I wired
up hundreds of post wire installations and drops with decades ago.
Even the jacket on the wire (cable) is more hardy now (here). I'd bet
that some of those old post wire installs from 40 years ago are
replaced or damaged by now. That old vinyl jacket stuff from back then
would be all hard and dry rotted by now. One flex and it fractures.

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in
news:vtlghgldje4v3t1th7d33brnge05eqlan2@4ax.com:

> I cringe when I halucinate that home
> theater electronics could have been interconnected with BNC
> connectors were it not for the invention of the F connector.
> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BNC_connector>

Oh that would have been a joy for all the installers. And the price
difference. We would have been paying a hundred a month for cable TV
back then for 60 channels and no Internet.

I think what made everything cheap for us was the invention and use
of tie-wraps. :-)

On a sunny day (Sun, 15 Aug 2021 07:10:17 -0700) it happened
jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote in
<3b7ihg9p77ifpp1vhmgum2h3n39qi5n8le@4ax.com>:

>A dish could be tricky in a place that's surrounded by trees and gets
>40 feet of snow in a good year. In the summer, we hear the train
>making a faint whistle off in the distance, but in the winter we
>don't.
>
>https://www.dropbox.com/s/pa1zzfrt10k0w8z/Windows_1.JPG?raw-1

Not to worry glowballworming will fix it.

We had snow too, but do not remember it affecting my dish,
it is near to vertical and the snow falls off, 26 degrees elevation or so.
Very big thunderstorm did kill my sat signal for a few seconds
when the cloud passed in line of sight to the sat,
happened a few times in 20 years.

David Lesher <wb8foz@panix.com> wrote in news:sf9qmb$loi$2
@reader1.panix.com:

> jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com writes:
>
>>On Sat, 14 Aug 2021 11:23:24 -0700, Don Y
>
>>Who invented the F connector? Let's find out and punish him.
>
> A CATV beancounter looking for the cheapest possible item.
>

There was no "cheap chinese" back then. Nearly all suppliers were
US. Nickel Cadmium was still allowed to be used. It was a cheap,
crimp on method to terminate a coaxial feed wire using the actual
center conductor as the "hot" "stinger". The cable boys could make
thousands of miles of the stuff cheap and it had good enough
characteristics to even cut down on the shield braid density, which
they did for a long time. Millions of fittings needed to be "cut",
and quickly, and reliably perform. Sure cheaper brands emerged and
likely colored some folks perception of what ttheir purpose was.

It is a pretty darn good termination design IMNSHO.

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in
news:oanghgpv7onur2nnhbfooj2t8u0nprtn54@4ax.com:

> Tools:
> - 7/16" open end wrench to tighten the male connector.

7/16 six point deep impact socket. Find the center of one of the six
faces and use the little concrete cutter wheel on a dremel or other and
cut a cable width slot in the socket its entire length.

The old cable systems had little security "bells" over the
terminations keeping customers from placing or removing them. On
those, for the socket tool, one must use a grinder and grind down the
first 1.5 inches of the socket lengthwise to a diameter that fits
inside the bell. So glad they do not use those any more. I still have
one of my modified sockets around here somewhere. The ones the cable
guys sell you as an installer back then were $25 bucks each (and shit
quality). That is a lot in 1980 dollars. So I made my own and all my
installations went fine.

On Sun, 15 Aug 2021 12:27:31 -0000 (UTC),
DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno@decadence.org wrote:

>Spectrum is using F type connectors the do not require a crimp. They
>are really nice in the RG-6 stuff. Their RG-6 wire is top quality as
>well from what I saw.

Comcast doesn't always do good work:
<http://www.learnbydestroying.com/jeffl/pics/Comcast/Comcast-cabling.jpg>
Some of the cable in the photo is good quality, but most of it is
junk.

Installs done by the CATV company techs are usually fairly good.
Installs done by contractors, less so. In May(?), I switched from DSL
to cable internet (Xfinity). Because my house did not have an
existing cable drop and I didn't feel like climbing the pole, I paid
Xfinity to do a "professional install" for $100. The installer was
moderately competent. However, I had to loan him some power tools
show him a few tricks. I also had to do some post-install rework. I
had asked that the cable drop be attached to the house in a manner
that will cause it to fall to the ground without breaking the coax, if
a falling branch hits the drop. He said that he understood and then
proceeded to do it the way he was taught. He used cheap compression F
connectors, which I consider adequate, but not the best. The junction
box was badly located (my fault). I moved it along with the ground
wire and some coax cable. So, why didn't I ask for all these things
to be done right when the installer was on site? Because he was
allowed exactly one hour to do the job and I could see that there was
a good chance he wouldn't finish. Hasty installs always come out
badly and I prefer to have everything working first, and make it
bulletproof and pretty later. When we were almost done, it was time
to try connecting my equipment to my customer supplied modem (Arris
SB6183). With about 5 minutes to go, it didn't work. Then, I
remembered that my previous DSL setup had a static WAN IP address but
the Xfinity system used DHCP to assign the address. Oops. A quick
config change in my router (Asus RT-AC66U), and it connected and was
delivering the advertised performance.

Anyway, few systems use hex crimp type F connectors like these:
<https://www.google.com/search?q=hex+crimp+f+connector&tbm=isch>
Everyone uses compression connectors, like these:
<https://www.google.com/search?q=f+compression+connector&tbm=isch>
I guess that's what you meant by "do not require a crimp".
Unfortunately, the compression tools are often called crimpers
creating some confusion.

>I forgot to do my usual "hey can I get about a
>15 foot length of that from you?" to the installer guy. Dang! This
>thread reminded me of that.

For customers, I make a checklist of things to do during the install.
Asking for spare cable jumpers, right angle F adapters, through wall
hardware, wall plates, cable hangers, etc is always on the list. I
also like to obtain a printout, or take a screen shot of whatever
tester the installer was using. Unfortunately, we ran out of time
before I could take a photo.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Sun, 15 Aug 2021 15:21:18 -0000 (UTC),
DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno@decadence.org wrote:
> It is a pretty darn good termination design IMNSHO.

Yep. The value of any new technology is largely determined by how
much it can be abused. For example, I found this photo while looking
for references on the history of the F connector:
<https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/electronic_components/rf-connectors/f-type-coax-cable-connector.php>
Notice the 2nd photo on the page.
<https://www.electronics-notes.com/images/connector-f-type-on-television-3AE19CA2.jpg>
I've seen a few similar connector "terminations" on customers TV's.
Probably part of a self-install kit. Any connector system that can
still function assembled like that is obviously a good design.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Sun, 15 Aug 2021 15:28:28 -0000 (UTC),
DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno@decadence.org wrote:

>Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in
>news:oanghgpv7onur2nnhbfooj2t8u0nprtn54@4ax.com:
>
>> Tools:
>> - 7/16" open end wrench to tighten the male connector.

> 7/16 six point deep impact socket. Find the center of one of the six
>faces and use the little concrete cutter wheel on a dremel or other and
>cut a cable width slot in the socket its entire length.

That's crude but probably effective. However, I'm spoiled. I have
one of these (Ideal 35-046) tools:
<https://www.idealind.com/us/en/shop/market/35-046.html>
<https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-F-Connector-Removal-Tool-35-046/100130128>
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDYsR4GL03M>
The key features are that it works with both BNC and F connectors and
it fits in my toolbox. However, it doesn't work with wide or fat F
connectors, right angle connectors, or RG-11 coax. The shaft is a bit
short but good enough for structured wiring installs. It's definitely
not long enough for the back of a rack mounted patch panel, video
switch, etc.

> The old cable systems had little security "bells" over the
>terminations keeping customers from placing or removing them. On
>those, for the socket tool, one must use a grinder and grind down the
>first 1.5 inches of the socket lengthwise to a diameter that fits
>inside the bell. So glad they do not use those any more.

They were no longer needed after the cable companies switched from
unencrypted analog to encrypted digital, where theft of service by
climbing the pole and tapping into the splitter was no longer a
problem. However, I still run into them. Lots of tools available to
remove them:
<https://www.google.com/search?q=f+connector+tamper+proof+removal+tool&tbm=isch>
I have one somewhere, but rarely need to use it. If all else fails:
"How to remove Cable Coaxial Lock"
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV1O4FINcRs>

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

In article <j2hihgdnala38qhrq1mrsqkap34gap9koc@4ax.com>,
jeffl@cruzio.com says...
>
> They were no longer needed after the cable companies switched from
> unencrypted analog to encrypted digital, where theft of service by
> climbing the pole and tapping into the splitter was no longer a
> problem. However, I still run into them. Lots of tools available to
> remove them:
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=f+connector+tamper+proof+removal+tool&tbm=isch>
> I have one somewhere, but rarely need to use it. If all else fails:
> "How to remove Cable Coaxial Lock"
> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV1O4FINcRs>
>
>

I don't see why any company fools with the 'tamper prof' stuff any more.
A week after they come out with a device someone on Youtube shows how to
get around it,and the tools show up on ebay.

I have serveral small engines like weedeaters, chain saws and such.
They mostly have the special adjusting screws that I have to work around
or buy the special tools off ebay to adjust the carborators. There must
be a dozen kinds of those specal screws.

On a sunny day (Sun, 15 Aug 2021 09:35:57 -0700) it happened Jeff Liebermann
<jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in <jvfihg9bsc1ginn2c2lsiour09tfa6c7k3@4ax.com>:

><https://www.electronics-notes.com/images/connector-f-type-on-television-3AE19CA2.jpg>
>I've seen a few similar connector "terminations" on customers TV's.
>Probably part of a self-install kit. Any connector system that can
>still function assembled like that is obviously a good design.

Right
http://panteltje.com/pub/F_connector_tape_protection_IX_IMG_0707.JPG
usually put some tape over it to protect my fingers against sticking copper wires,

Good reception anyways:
http://panteltje.com/pub/1TVRUS_IX_IMG_0714.JPG

My Russian is not good, but their music and shows are nice,
and I learn that way.
Soon all ye 'merricans will need to learn too :-)

On Sun, 15 Aug 2021 15:01:45 GMT, Jan Panteltje
<pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> wrote:

>On a sunny day (Sun, 15 Aug 2021 07:21:21 -0700) it happened
>jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote in
><d58ihg9f6ejedfui4caa7hr8t7ht0iahnu@4ax.com>:
>
>>On Sun, 15 Aug 2021 08:00:34 GMT, Jan Panteltje
>><pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>>On a sunny day (Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:54:02 -0700) it happened
>>>jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote:
>>>
>>>>Who invented the F connector? Let's find out and punish him.
>>>
>>>Nothing wrong with F connectors, very nice system,
>>>SMA sucks.
>>
>>Fs are fair as long as you buy coax with a gold-plated inner
>>conductor.
>
>Na, some F connectors on sat dish have worked fine since year 2000 or so.
>On the outside!
>
>
>
>>What's wrong with SMAs? Even a cheap SMA pair is invisible to a 30 ps
>>TDR step. I don't recall ever having one break.
>
>I bought several one feet ^H^H^H^H 30.48 cm SMA connection cables a few weeks ago locally
>as the ones I had from ebay sometimes gave bad connections (seems the pin is pushed
>back if you do not screw it in carefully.
>The chassis parts are OK.
>

I've got excellent SMA cables and adapters and connectors from Amazon.
Crazy cheap.

--

Father Brown's figure remained quite dark and still;
but in that instant he had lost his head. His head was
always most valuable when he had lost it.

On 8/15/2021 10:23 AM, Ralph Mowery wrote:
> I don't see why any company fools with the 'tamper prof' stuff any more.
> A week after they come out with a device someone on Youtube shows how to
> get around it,and the tools show up on ebay.

Why do software vendors invest in "licensing" tools when "cracks"
are often available?

Why do people put locks on their doors?

> I have serveral small engines like weedeaters, chain saws and such.
> They mostly have the special adjusting screws that I have to work around
> or buy the special tools off ebay to adjust the carborators. There must
> be a dozen kinds of those specal screws.

Often, these things "keep honest people honest".

Or, keep folks from "playing" with things that they shouldn't!
If there was a nice knurled thumbscrew on the engine, wanna *bet*
folks would turn it??!

In article <sfbl84$g99$1@dont-email.me>, blockedofcourse@foo.invalid
says...
>
> Why do people put locks on their doors?
>
>
>

The locks on my doors of the house and out buildings is to help provide
proof that someone broke in and stole something . May keep the young
children from messing around the inside of the buildings.

There are enough windows in the doors of my house that all someone has
to do is break out a window and unlock the door by reaching in.

It may let me hear the glass break in the night if someone brakes in at
night.

On Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 9:50:19 PM UTC-4, jeff.li...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:45:23 -0700 (PDT), Three Jeeps
> <jjhu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Some of my CATV tools:
> >> <http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/antennas/Misc/slides/CATV-tools.html>
> >> Favorite F compression connector (Belden SNS1P6U red):
> >> <https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=SNS1P6U>
> >>
> >> I can also rant endlessly about crappy coax, crimpers, strippers,
> >> connectors, and tools, but I'm short on time today.
> >Actually, I'd like to have your take on 1) good F-connector crimpers and 2) why you like your favorite F connector? I need to do some work with coax In my house, and I don't want to have problems with the connectors. TIA
> >J
> Sure. However, please realize that my selection of connectors, coax,
> tools and methods are dictated by commercial installations and
> repairs, and don't fit well for home users requirements. My tools
> need to last for hundreds of crimps, cuts, strips, and pushes while
> your requirements are a few crimps per year. I'll try to keep it
> reasonable for a home user.
>
> Tools:
> - 7/16" open end wrench to tighten the male connector.
> - 1/2" open end wrench for the matching nut (usually on wall plates).
> I use the wrenches more for loosening connectors than installing them.
> If you want to get fancy, there are specialized F connector wrenches.
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=f+connector+wrench&tbm=isch>
> If you don't have a good feel for how tight to install the connector,
> get one of the torque wrench tools.
>
> - Coax cable rotary hand stripper.
> Something like one of these:
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=rotary+rg6u+stripper&tbm=isch>
> They all work well, as long as the blade is sharp. It can't be
> re-sharpened so buy a spare blade.
>
> You probably can't justify the expense of a cable prep tool:
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=rg6u+cable+prep+tool&tbm=isch>
>
> The official Snap-n-Steal tool is the IT1000:
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=IT1000+tool&tbm=isch>
> It's expensive (about $90) and goes through blades rather rapidly.
> However, it combines a rotary stripper and a compression tool into one
> tool, which is very handy. This is what I like to use. More on
> compression tools later.
> <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43n7vxTMxow>
>
> - SNS1P6U (T&B or Belden ProSNS) connectors.
>
> This is where the problems begin. I do more rework then new installs.
> Therefore, I need a connector that will fit most types of RG6/u cables
> that I encounter. Yes, there are many types of cables and cable
> qualities. There are also many types of male F connectors with
> varying lengths which will NOT fit every possible type of compression
> tool. So, I pick a connector that covers most cable types, which
> turns out to be the SNS1P6U.
>
> Unfortunately, there's a bit of a muddle with this connector. T&B
> (Thomas and Betts) invented the connector. Belden bought T&B in 2010,
> and continued to sell the T&B connectors for a while. Belden then
> conglomerated their F-Conn connectors with T&T Snap-n-Steal and
> renamed it ProSNS and renumbering the connector as FSNS6U. I really
> don't know if the new and improved connector is any better than the
> previous version(s). I have about 200 older T&B connectors in stock,
> which at my current usage level is a lifetime supply.
>
> <http://www.tnb.com/pubint/docs/snapnseal.pdf>
> <https://info.belden.com/hubfs/resources/technical/product-brochures-bulletins/snap-n-seal-prosns-compression-connectors-product-bulletin.pdf>
>
> In terms of quality, both the old an new connectors are mostly brass,
> UV proof plastic, EPR/EPM rubber (ethylene propylene) o-rings that
> don't harden or crumble and nickel-tin (or tin) plated. I do have
> some aluminum F-connectors, which last about 5 years outdoors and then
> RIP (rust-in-place).
>
> Also important is pull strength. 30 lbs minimum for indoor. 40 lbs
> minimum for outdoor. Try pulling on a connector pair with a luggage
> scale:
> <https://www.ebay.com/itm/324022488009>
> Many do-it-thyself cables will fall apart. I made my own crude
> tester. I can usually go to 80 lbs before things start to fall apart.
> See ANSI/SCTE 99 and 124 for applicable standards and fixtures:
> <https://www.scte.org/standards-development/library/standards-catalog/>
>
> - Matching compression tool (it's not really a crimper).
>
> One of the reasons that I have so many DIFFERENT compression tools is
> that many of the connectors I need to crimp are different diameters
> and lengths. Some manufacturers design their connectors so that only
> the compression tool they are selling works with their connectors. So
> much for standards. I thought I had solved the problem with this
> compression tool:
> <https://www.ebay.com/itm/160683459028>
> Sheesh...$51. It was $17 when I bought two perhaps 15+ years ago. The
> big advantages are that the connector length is screw adjustable and
> it comes with ends to fit F connector, RCA plug, and BNC. That was
> fine for a few years, until some vendor released a connector that was
> too long to fit in this tool. It's clumsy to use, doesn't support the
> cable properly, and sometimes (when I'm not paying attention) produces
> lop-sided connections. Not quite recommended, but since I have it, I
> use it.
>
> I previously mentioned that I use an IT1000 tool. It fits the SNS1P6U
> connectors most of the shorter connectors. It doesn't work with
> longer connectors. It's also expensive. It's the black thing on the
> left:
> <http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/antennas/Misc/slides/CATV-tools.html>
> So, what else is available? Please, ignore the hex crimper on the
> right. It's made for converting cylindrical connectors into hex
> connectors. It can survive about 10 lbs of pull before everything
> falls apart. Not recommended.
>
> The little compression tool in the middle fits most connectors, but
> has so little leverage that I get tired after a few crimps. No
> recommended unless you do finger strength exercises.
>
> The gray and blue compression tools are some of those I previously
> mentioned that were designed to fit exactly one manufacturers
> connectors. Avoid, unless the seller includes the connectors at a
> good price.
>
> Having eliminated everything I own, I can't offer a recommendation for
> a compression tool. Looking at what's available on eBay:
>
> <https://www.ebay.com/itm/172387459182>
> Looks ok but is only for F connectors. It's difficult to tell, but it
> looks like it might fit the longer connectors.
>
> <https://www.ebay.com/itm/154198794969>
> Better and does F, BNC, and phono. Again, not sure about long
> connectors.
>
> Drivel:
>
> 1. Junk (Radio Shack) RG-6/u. Maybe 30% outer shield coverage:
> <http://www.learnbydestroying.com/jeffl/crud/RG6-junk-coax.jpg>
>
> 2. Don't use RG59/u. It's all made for low frequency use as in
> security video cameras. It doesn't work at UHF frequencies.
>
> 3. You might consider buying a proper cable cutter:
> <https://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-cable-cutter-40507.html>
>
> 4. Lots of videos on how to attach compression connectors on YouTube:
> <https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compression+coaxial+connector>
>
> Good luck.
> --
> Jeff Liebermann je...@cruzio.com
> PO Box 272 http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
thank you. I appreciate your consideration of price for home use. I am as much as a hands on engineer as I am a paper design one. In almost all cases, I tend to buy good hand tools because they work better and, well, I hate junk - it usually fails when one needs it most, or it makes the difference between doing the job right or half-arsed.
Thanks again!
J

On 8/15/2021 12:13 PM, Ralph Mowery wrote:
> In article <sfbl84$g99$1@dont-email.me>, blockedofcourse@foo.invalid
> says...
>>
>> Why do people put locks on their doors?
>>
>>
>>
>
> The locks on my doors of the house and out buildings is to help provide
> proof that someone broke in and stole something . May keep the young
> children from messing around the inside of the buildings.
>
> There are enough windows in the doors of my house that all someone has
> to do is break out a window and unlock the door by reaching in.
>
> It may let me hear the glass break in the night if someone brakes in at
> night.

In many (most?) homes, you don't need to "break" anything to gain
entry.

Walk around your house with an eye towards how you would get in
if "locked out". Without the time pressure of *needing* to get in,
NOW, you will likely find that there are several ways you can
work-around the barriers that your house has in place *against*
such entry.

Many sliding doors are installed "inside out" (you can remove
the moving panel from outside the house). Ditto for many sliding
windows.

Many windows can be (partially) dismantled with little more than
a screwdriver.

Locks can be carded -- or picked.

etc.

Homeowners tend not to think in these terms. And, "thiefs" are
typically more interested in *speed*, to reduce their exposure.

[I had an "aunt" (actually, I think she was more of a second or third cousin)
who had a large collection of furs -- that she enjoyed *flaunting*.
One day, she and her husband returned home to find the side door of
their home had been *yanked* from it's frame (likely a jeep or
truck that drove up on the lawn to run the cables from the doorframe
to their bumper). The only items missing were her furs (why bother
looking around the house when you can just open the closet
and grab the lot?!)]

jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote in
news:orjihg9ml7v1rl8jciao1bt806gibh0a03@4ax.com:

> On Sun, 15 Aug 2021 15:01:45 GMT, Jan Panteltje
> <pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>On a sunny day (Sun, 15 Aug 2021 07:21:21 -0700) it happened
>>jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote in
>><d58ihg9f6ejedfui4caa7hr8t7ht0iahnu@4ax.com>:
>>
>>>On Sun, 15 Aug 2021 08:00:34 GMT, Jan Panteltje
>>><pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On a sunny day (Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:54:02 -0700) it happened
>>>>jlarkin@highlandsniptechnology.com wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>Who invented the F connector? Let's find out and punish him.
>>>>
>>>>Nothing wrong with F connectors, very nice system,
>>>>SMA sucks.
>>>
>>>Fs are fair as long as you buy coax with a gold-plated inner
>>>conductor.
>>
>>Na, some F connectors on sat dish have worked fine since year 2000
>>or so. On the outside!
>>
>>
>>
>>>What's wrong with SMAs? Even a cheap SMA pair is invisible to a
>>>30 ps TDR step. I don't recall ever having one break.
>>
>>I bought several one feet ^H^H^H^H 30.48 cm SMA connection cables
>>a few weeks ago locally as the ones I had from ebay sometimes gave
>>bad connections (seems the pin is pushed back if you do not screw
>>it in carefully. The chassis parts are OK.
>>
>
> I've got excellent SMA cables and adapters and connectors from
> Amazon. Crazy cheap.
>
>
Yes but now think about if that was the Cable TV standard. Half
the nation would still need to be wired. It takes several times as
much time to properly install SMA terminations as it does F type.

So the reasons certain things are chosen is about numbers and cost.
Millions upon millions of connections need to be made to pump cable
into US homes.
We did it. But doing it with SMA would have been a disaster.
Careful, meticulous folks like me could do it, but 80% of the
installers would faceplant, so the whole thing would drag out and we
wouldn't be cheap either. And the installs (wall fishes etc.) would
be far more fragile.

A billion F fittings were far far easier and quicker and cheaper
and just as reliable as SMA could ever have been. Mess one up? Chop
it off and cut a new one. SMA? You just cost them $5 and at least
that much to do it all over again.