Just installed a dish and the provided connectors were crap. One was going
on easily by hand, almost to the point of tightening, and splits appeared
and a piece of the metal fell out! Fortunately I have some in stock.

I've had issues before. Four on an LNB, tied to avoid stress, taped and in
use for several years. LNB's cover cracked up (an LNB isn't very good when
it's full of water), so removed it, cut off the tape and two of the
connectors were cracke just below the thread - there is only a very thin
annulus there.

Is there actually a more robust make - some I have came from SF and some
from a supplier that claimed good quality?
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On 30/09/2023 18:14, PeterC wrote:
> Just installed a dish and the provided connectors were crap. One was going
> on easily by hand, almost to the point of tightening, and splits appeared
> and a piece of the metal fell out! Fortunately I have some in stock.
>
> I've had issues before. Four on an LNB, tied to avoid stress, taped and in
> use for several years. LNB's cover cracked up (an LNB isn't very good when
> it's full of water), so removed it, cut off the tape and two of the
> connectors were cracke just below the thread - there is only a very thin
> annulus there.
>
> Is there actually a more robust make - some I have came from SF and some
> from a supplier that claimed good quality?

Compression type F plugs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78GWKwRUngE

Kit of tool and plugs around £12 on Ebay.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

Oh, goodness. I can remember one that was so soft that you could squash it
between your finger and thumb. Plating, what is plating.....

Brian

--

--:
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...
briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"PeterC" <giraffenos.pam@homecall.co.uk> wrote in message
news:e4at93cjpw0o$.156j4yh4na15h$.dlg@40tude.net...
> Just installed a dish and the provided connectors were crap. One was going
> on easily by hand, almost to the point of tightening, and splits appeared
> and a piece of the metal fell out! Fortunately I have some in stock.
>
> I've had issues before. Four on an LNB, tied to avoid stress, taped and in
> use for several years. LNB's cover cracked up (an LNB isn't very good when
> it's full of water), so removed it, cut off the tape and two of the
> connectors were cracke just below the thread - there is only a very thin
> annulus there.
>
> Is there actually a more robust make - some I have came from SF and some
> from a supplier that claimed good quality?
> --
> Peter.
> The gods will stay away
> whilst religions hold sway

On Sat, 30 Sep 2023 18:28:57 +0100, alan_m wrote:

> On 30/09/2023 18:14, PeterC wrote:
>> Just installed a dish and the provided connectors were crap. One was going
>> on easily by hand, almost to the point of tightening, and splits appeared
>> and a piece of the metal fell out! Fortunately I have some in stock.
>>
>> I've had issues before. Four on an LNB, tied to avoid stress, taped and in
>> use for several years. LNB's cover cracked up (an LNB isn't very good when
>> it's full of water), so removed it, cut off the tape and two of the
>> connectors were cracke just below the thread - there is only a very thin
>> annulus there.
>>
>> Is there actually a more robust make - some I have came from SF and some
>> from a supplier that claimed good quality?
>
> Compression type F plugs
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78GWKwRUngE
>
> Kit of tool and plugs around £12 on Ebay.

Thanks, but they don't address the issue of screwing to the LNB or box,
which is where mine fell apart - or the v. thin annulus.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On 01/10/2023 18:31, PeterC wrote:
> On Sat, 30 Sep 2023 18:28:57 +0100, alan_m wrote:
>
>> On 30/09/2023 18:14, PeterC wrote:
>>> Just installed a dish and the provided connectors were crap. One was going
>>> on easily by hand, almost to the point of tightening, and splits appeared
>>> and a piece of the metal fell out! Fortunately I have some in stock.
>>>
>>> I've had issues before. Four on an LNB, tied to avoid stress, taped and in
>>> use for several years. LNB's cover cracked up (an LNB isn't very good when
>>> it's full of water), so removed it, cut off the tape and two of the
>>> connectors were cracke just below the thread - there is only a very thin
>>> annulus there.
>>>
>>> Is there actually a more robust make - some I have came from SF and some
>>> from a supplier that claimed good quality?
>>
>> Compression type F plugs
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78GWKwRUngE
>>
>> Kit of tool and plugs around £12 on Ebay.
>
> Thanks, but they don't address the issue of screwing to the LNB or box,
> which is where mine fell apart - or the v. thin annulus.

Over the years I've used lots of (cheap) screw on F connectors and the
only two I've had fail were right angled F connector adapters*. The
right angled ones failed because the inner was a two part assembly put
together with a poor quality push fit. I've never had the straight type
attached to the cable fail.

When attached to a LNB I've always put a bit of grease on the inner of
the connector and waterproofed the whole connection with self
amalgamating tape. When I had an LNB fail after 10+years** the F
connections were still in pristine condition.

*The type of adapter that failed
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382477070283

**UV had made the front plastic cover of the horn go brittle and some
had fallen away allowing water ingress.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

In article <c1kfk285fwmd.1x77gelbdvvlu$.dlg@40tude.net>,
PeterC <giraffenos.pam@homecall.co.uk> wrote:

> >> Is there actually a more robust make - some I have came from SF and some
> >> from a supplier that claimed good quality?
> >
> > Compression type F plugs
> > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78GWKwRUngE
> >
> > Kit of tool and plugs around £12 on Ebay.

> Thanks, but they don't address the issue of screwing to the LNB or box,
> which is where mine fell apart - or the v. thin annulus.

F-connectors I use these and have had no problems since.

https://cpc.farnell.com/vision/fm02/plug-f-twist-on-rg6-100/dp/CN20704?MER=sy-me-pd-mi-acce

Bob.

On Saturday, 30 September 2023 at 18:14:16 UTC+1, PeterC wrote:
> Just installed a dish and the provided connectors were crap. One was going
> on easily by hand, almost to the point of tightening, and splits appeared
> and a piece of the metal fell out! Fortunately I have some in stock.
>
> I've had issues before. Four on an LNB, tied to avoid stress, taped and in
> use for several years. LNB's cover cracked up (an LNB isn't very good when
> it's full of water), so removed it, cut off the tape and two of the
> connectors were cracke just below the thread - there is only a very thin
> annulus there.
>
> Is there actually a more robust make - some I have came from SF and some
> from a supplier that claimed good quality?
> --
> Peter.
> The gods will stay away
> whilst religions hold sway

I got mine from Maplin last century - not experienced these problems. Outside connections are bigger on CT125 cable.

On Sun, 1 Oct 2023 18:58:03 +0100, alan_m wrote:

>>>> Is there actually a more robust make - some I have came from SF and some
>>>> from a supplier that claimed good quality?
>>>
>>> Compression type F plugs
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78GWKwRUngE
>>>
>>> Kit of tool and plugs around £12 on Ebay.
>>
>> Thanks, but they don't address the issue of screwing to the LNB or box,
>> which is where mine fell apart - or the v. thin annulus.
>
> Over the years I've used lots of (cheap) screw on F connectors and the
> only two I've had fail were right angled F connector adapters*. The
> right angled ones failed because the inner was a two part assembly put
> together with a poor quality push fit. I've never had the straight type
> attached to the cable fail.
>
The worst that I had was one being screwed on to the cable, so just a little
bit of load on the box end (my digits are not dainty) and the annulus
cracked apart!

> When attached to a LNB I've always put a bit of grease on the inner of
> the connector and waterproofed the whole connection with self
> amalgamating tape. When I had an LNB fail after 10+years** the F
> connections were still in pristine condition.
>
I use a v. small amount of Johnson's Baby Oil (as recommended for hair
trimmers etc. by an assistant in Boots) applied with a v. small brush. Just
a bit on the rotating joint and the box-end threads helps a lot.
I avoid grease or mineral oil as it might get where the tape goes.

> **UV had made the front plastic cover of the horn go brittle and some
> had fallen away allowing water ingress.

Same here. Dried it out and used the bottom bit of a small plastic bottle as
a cover - worked as new.
Bloody daft, making something that can't stand up to normal use.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On Sun, 01 Oct 2023 19:59:26 +0100, Bob Latham wrote:

> In article <c1kfk285fwmd.1x77gelbdvvlu$.dlg@40tude.net>,
> PeterC <giraffenos.pam@homecall.co.uk> wrote:
>
>>>> Is there actually a more robust make - some I have came from SF and some
>>>> from a supplier that claimed good quality?
>>>
>>> Compression type F plugs
>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78GWKwRUngE
>>>
>>> Kit of tool and plugs around £12 on Ebay.
>
>> Thanks, but they don't address the issue of screwing to the LNB or box,
>> which is where mine fell apart - or the v. thin annulus.
>
> F-connectors I use these and have had no problems since.
>
> https://cpc.farnell.com/vision/fm02/plug-f-twist-on-rg6-100/dp/CN20704?MER=sy-me-pd-mi-acce
>
> Bob.

They do look robust - bookmarked, thanks.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On 02/10/2023 17:30, PeterC wrote:
> I avoid grease or mineral oil as it might get where the tape goes.

They advise that anywhere that self-amalgamating tape is going to be
applied to be free of any oil or grease and usually cleaned with solvent.

Also recommended that the tape is kept warm if in an exposed location -
usually cut in advance then put and under the coat to keep it warm -
often under the armpit.

Why did the industry go with those plugs? I'd have though the small sma
types were more robust for the lnb end.
Brian

--

--:
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...
briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"R. Mark Clayton" <notyalckram@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:3b04f500-0cb5-4041-8b60-8395a32c69aen@googlegroups.com...
> On Saturday, 30 September 2023 at 18:14:16 UTC+1, PeterC wrote:
>> Just installed a dish and the provided connectors were crap. One was
>> going
>> on easily by hand, almost to the point of tightening, and splits appeared
>> and a piece of the metal fell out! Fortunately I have some in stock.
>>
>> I've had issues before. Four on an LNB, tied to avoid stress, taped and
>> in
>> use for several years. LNB's cover cracked up (an LNB isn't very good
>> when
>> it's full of water), so removed it, cut off the tape and two of the
>> connectors were cracke just below the thread - there is only a very thin
>> annulus there.
>>
>> Is there actually a more robust make - some I have came from SF and some
>> from a supplier that claimed good quality?
>> --
>> Peter.
>> The gods will stay away
>> whilst religions hold sway
>
> I got mine from Maplin last century - not experienced these problems.
> Outside connections are bigger on CT125 cable.

On Wed 04/10/2023 12:29, Brian Gaff wrote:
> Why did the industry go with those plugs? I'd have though the small sma
> types were more robust for the lnb end.

SMA or SMB would be far too small to handle 100 or 125 cables - they are
mainly used on RG174. At LNB out frequencies the loss of RG174 would be
1-1.5dB/ft.

On Wednesday, 4 October 2023 at 12:29:19 UTC+1, Brian Gaff wrote:
> Why did the industry go with those plugs? I'd have though the small sma
> types were more robust for the lnb end.
> Brian
>

SMA / SMB too small for CT100.

F-Connectors have some advantages: -

Basically one piece so easy to fit.
Cheap
No soldering.
But mainly - centre conductor of cable passes straight through into the socket reducing insertion loss.

Hmm, I remember them being used for patch leads inside microwave military
gear. I have also a DAB receiver here somewhere that uses one for the aerial
but that is only band 3 of course.

I know at first the larger cable of Virgin used a connector that gave a lot
of issues where its centre was the wire itself. Later ones seem to be a lot
better.

Plugs and sockets are interesting though, as the standard aerial coaxial
plugs and sockets are still used even though most uhf downleads these days
are much thicker and substantial than the old low loss cables that we used
to use that cracked and let water in, all too easily.
Brian

--

--:
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...
briang1@blueyonder.co.uk
Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"Woody" <harrogate3@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:ufjss1$b3dc$1@dont-email.me...
> On Wed 04/10/2023 12:29, Brian Gaff wrote:
>> Why did the industry go with those plugs? I'd have though the small sma
>> types were more robust for the lnb end.
>
> SMA or SMB would be far too small to handle 100 or 125 cables - they are
> mainly used on RG174. At LNB out frequencies the loss of RG174 would be
> 1-1.5dB/ft.
>
>