Re: F-plug need to be fully tightened?

On Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:30:23 -0400, "Tim Perry"
<timperry@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

>Likewise any modification or adaptor you add will bear the brunt of blame
in
>any "discussion" with tech sup****t or field service.

  The "techs" that "assist" you online are typically VERY DUMB.
>
>Constant plugging and unplugging of a F connector is not recommended
because
>the jack is likely to wear out making the center conductor connection
>intermittent.


  Yes, cable terminations can be very damaging to the female connectors
they mate with.


  Most cable companies use a cable with a copper clad center conductor
which is steel.  First off, it is very bad for your side cutters.

  The second effect is that the center conductor ends up with a squared
off "nose" (end) that is of a very hard material. This means that
insertion into a female "f" connection WILL badly abrade on the two
spring loaded "wipers" that get pushed aside by the center conductor when
inserted.  At that point, the two wipers become the connection to the
center conductor.

  Several things happen with this cable type.  First, the copper cladding
on  it is barely thick enough to even call cladding.  So it wears off, or
can wear fairly quickly.  But a good hundred in and outs are likely not a
problem

  Secondly is the abrasion on those two wipers. They can also "catch" on
the nose of the center conductor and get deformed as it tries to
literally push them out of the way.  If the wipers are SPC (silver plated
copper) then the abrasion leading to poorer performance can be a mere few
insertion cycles.  If it is brass or such, it may survive all 100
insertions, and still yield the same loss.

  I have actually tried to round off the nose of my center conductor
before and found it inserted easier. If one has a pure copper center
conductor type cable, wear will not be an issue on the cable end, but it
could still abrade or deform the female fitting internal parts. I have
rounded those ends as well, but we are talking about severe overkill,
considering that one only desires to insert these things a couple of
times in their life.