We fulltime so we move around a lot. My satellite dish is tripod mount. I've tried the push on connectors to facilitate the connecting process and frankly, they just wear out too quickly and of course a poor connection, poor TV. I have a DVR so I have two cables. What problem would I find if I replaced the connection with what known as Dean connection in the RC flying world. Dean type connector Two prong connector and failsafe polarity connection. Of course an inch or so of the connection would not be shielded....is that a problem???? Any other solutions that I'm not aware of.

The characteristics of coax is a relationship between the center and outside. The distance sets up this pipe to work in a very special electrical environment. However, with forty plus years working with coax I have seen wire nuts used. Not a good plan when running a transmitter but lets not digress.The short lengths you are using should not be rendered useless by using improper impedance connectors. Heck, give one a shot for fun. As long as they are not shorted it should work ok.

Just go to a big box store and buy quality connectors and a crimp tool

I just buy the push-on connectors a 100 at a time and replace them often. I also get plenty of the barrel connectors so I can also replace them as necessary. The barrel connectors last much longer than the push-ons but they do fail as well. I also crimp the push-on every now and then to give a tighter connection so it will not accidentally pull off with a little wind.

I might try using BNC connectors. They're coaxial connectors which are at least as good electrically (in the RF range) and are comparatively sturdy. They use a bayonet mechanism to attach, and are quite common in some applications such as electronic test equipment and formerly in "thin" ethernet networking (before twisted pair ethernet became popular). Crimping tools and such would still be necessary to build the proper cables.

DrewE wrote:I might try using BNC connectors. They're coaxial connectors which are at least as good electrically (in the RF range) and are comparatively sturdy. They use a bayonet mechanism to attach, and are quite common in some applications such as electronic test equipment and formerly in "thin" ethernet networking (before twisted pair ethernet became popular). Crimping tools and such would still be necessary to build the proper cables.Thats what I'd do as well. A good crimper for a BNC isn't going to be cheap tho, but you can buy BNC(M) to F(F), and BNC(F) to F(M) adapters and just screw them into the existing coax.Great idea! I should buy a bunch and sell em as sets.

Coax connectors | Good Sam Community

myredracer
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
I installed a SensarPro signal finder and needed to extend 4 Coax to the new location where I mounted it. I went to a home theater/AV shop and they only charged around $1.50 per BNC connector for material and labor to crimp them on.

Maybe you could take your rig to a similar shop and get whatever you need done on the spot and hopefully inexpensively.
j-d
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
I think it's helpful to repeat a caution Chris Bryant posted in his "tune up your TV antenna" blog entry:

The signal is carried on the surface of the center conductor. Must use a coax cable stripper tool to be sure not to "ring" the center conductor surface. As in stripping coax with a pocket knife...
tvman44
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
Those would create a heck of a impedance bump and be very lossy.
ctpres
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
Another vote for BNC - but I would not use screw on if reliability factor is important. Frequent connect/disconnect use in RV lifestyle will led to failures. BNC available at Home Depot - Under $70 for sixteen connectors and crimping tool.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
I assume you have used the much better (and expensive) "gold" push ons. I use them on the receiver end, and never a problem. But the dish end would get a lot more use, and weather too.
SCVJeff
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
DrewE wrote:
I might try using BNC connectors. They're coaxial connectors which are at least as good electrically (in the RF range) and are comparatively sturdy. They use a bayonet mechanism to attach, and are quite common in some applications such as electronic test equipment and formerly in "thin" ethernet networking (before twisted pair ethernet became popular). Crimping tools and such would still be necessary to build the proper cables.
Thats what I'd do as well. A good crimper for a BNC isn't going to be cheap tho, but you can buy BNC(M) to F(F), and BNC(F) to F(M) adapters and just screw them into the existing coax.

Great idea! I should buy a bunch and sell em as sets.
DrewE
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
I might try using BNC connectors. They're coaxial connectors which are at least as good electrically (in the RF range) and are comparatively sturdy. They use a bayonet mechanism to attach, and are quite common in some applications such as electronic test equipment and formerly in "thin" ethernet networking (before twisted pair ethernet became popular). Crimping tools and such would still be necessary to build the proper cables.
accsys
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
I just buy the push-on connectors a 100 at a time and replace them often. I also get plenty of the barrel connectors so I can also replace them as necessary. The barrel connectors last much longer than the push-ons but they do fail as well. I also crimp the push-on every now and then to give a tighter connection so it will not accidentally pull off with a little wind.
donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
Just go to a big box store and buy quality connectors and a crimp tool
YC_1
Nomad
Oct 30, 2014
The characteristics of coax is a relationship between the center and outside. The distance sets up this pipe to work in a very special electrical environment. However, with forty plus years working with coax I have seen wire nuts used. Not a good plan when running a transmitter but lets not digress.

The short lengths you are using should not be rendered useless by using improper impedance connectors. Heck, give one a shot for fun. As long as they are not shorted it should work ok.

Forum Discussion

Coax connectors

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Exterior coax connector cover

Coax connector 2011 Keystond Outback

Coax cable

6-way connector + question

OBD connector location