What's with this N connector BS? I picked up a 2m/70cm antenna from a guy and it turned out to have an N connector on it. Do any of you have radios with N for the VHF/UHF hookup? I heard the Icom 9700 is like that. Why do these guys gotta go changing this stuff up?!

---
þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io

What's with this N connector BS? I picked up a 2m/70cm antenna from a guy and it turned out to have an N connector on it. Do any of you have radios with N for the VHF/UHF hookup? I heard the Icom 9700 is like that. Why do these guys gotta go changing this stuff up?!

---
þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO
TACOPRONTO.bbs.io

I remember N connectors being used when I was a USNavy Radioman years ago.
The N plugs could be connected or removed bt gripping a "collar" near the front ofthe plug and pulling the "collar" back to quickly Connect or Disconnect the plug to/from a Antenna Patch Panel in the Ships Radio Room.

N connectors coccections are Fast compared to twisting a PL-259 plug onto a SO-239 chassiscon ector.

At least that is what I recall doing.

Pull, Push release to either make a connection, or to remove the connection. HTH
Ed
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Ed Vance wrote to phigan <=-

What's with this N connector BS? I picked up a 2m/70cm antenna from a guy

and

it turned out to have an N connector on it. Do any of you have radios with N for the VHF/UHF hookup? I heard the Icom 9700 is like that. Why do these

guys

gotta go changing this stuff up?!

phigan: N connectors have been around for decades. Very common on RF
systems, and have been for...... decades.

I remember N connectors being used when I was a USNavy Radioman years
ago. The N plugs could be connected or removed bt gripping a "collar"
near the front ofthe plug and pulling the "collar" back to quickly
Connect or Disconnect the plug to/from a Antenna Patch Panel in the
Ships Radio Room.

As a retired US Navy electronics technician, I can tell you that N
connectors are not the collar/push/pull type that you are referring to.
There are connectors of that type, but the N-type is a screw-on
(threaded) connector of medium size, very common on Navy (and other) RF
radio systems.

More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_connector

N connectors coccections are Fast compared to twisting a PL-259 plug
onto a SO-239 chassiscon ector.

At least that is what I recall doing.

Pull, Push release to either make a connection, or to remove the connection. HTH

The N-type connector is not a push/pull, it is threaded. There are
indeed various push/pull types, but I don't recall them being common in
RF systems. One type that I know of is called "Lemo" and there are
others, but generally not common in RF connections, I believe.



... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

Re: N connectors
By: Ed Vance to phigan on Fri Nov 14 2025 04:40 pm

Pull, Push release to either make a connection, or to remove the connection.

Are you sure you're not thinking of BNC? N connectors are screw-type, just like SO-239. With a smaller/more complex center part.

---
þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io

and
guys

phigan: N connectors have been around for decades. Very common on RF systems, and have been for...... decades.

As a retired US Navy electronics technician, I can tell you that N
connectors are not the collar/push/pull type that you are referring to.
There are connectors of that type, but the N-type is a screw-on
(threaded) connector of medium size, very common on Navy (and other) RF
radio systems.

More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_connector

The N-type connector is not a push/pull, it is threaded. There are
indeed various push/pull types, but I don't recall them being common in
RF systems. One type that I know of is called "Lemo" and there are
others, but generally not common in RF connections, I believe.

... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

Thanks for the Wikipedia link, I will look at it after I log off today.
The N plug i
I recall was used on a Receiver Antenna Patch Panel to connect various RX to Antenna
I left the Navy in 1962 .

Haven't looked at any AmateurRadio Store web pages to know what is available now

I have had this phone almost 2 years now and haven't thought to see what is available now

Lost DSL service in 2022 (i think).

Thanks for Educating Ed about the modern N plug has threads.
I will never get to become a Mister Know It All how much I try.

Ed
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Re: N connectors
By: Ed Vance to phigan on Fri Nov 14 2025 04:40 pm

Are you sure you're not thinking of BNC? N connectors are screw-type, just like SO-239. With a smaller/more complex center part.

---
þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO
TACOPRONTO.bbs.io

Not BNC, although those connectors are quick connections too.
Push, Twist the collar and done. Same o same o in reverse.

Gamgee enlightened me about the older N plug isn't what was being put on Amateur Radio gear.

I will read the Wikipedia N connector link after finishing this reply.

Why "they" made a newer connector and gave it an name of a pre-existing connector cornfused me.
But once a LID always a LID.
I try to be a good LID.
Ed
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Re: N connectors
By: Ed Vance to phigan on Fri Nov 14 2025 04:40 pm

Are you sure you're not thinking of BNC? N connectors are screw-type, just like SO-239. With a smaller/more complex center part.

---
þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO
TACOPRONTO.bbs.io

Onthe Wikipedia page for the N connector I did not see or read anything mentioning a plug with a collar that could be pulled back when applying orunconnecting the plug.

The Wikipedia page showed Threads on the N connector.

The N jack I remember didn't have threads, the best I remember is the outer edge was smooth..
Must had been a different plug/socket than the N type.

I appologize for My writing and causing confusion

Ed
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

and
guys

phigan: N connectors have been around for decades. Very common on RF systems, and have been for...... decades.

As a retired US Navy electronics technician, I can tell you that N
connectors are not the collar/push/pull type that you are referring to.
There are connectors of that type, but the N-type is a screw-on
(threaded) connector of medium size, very common on Navy (and other) RF
radio systems.

More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_connector

The N-type connector is not a push/pull, it is threaded. There are
indeed various push/pull types, but I don't recall them being common in
RF systems. One type that I know of is called "Lemo" and there are
others, but generally not common in RF connections, I believe.

... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

I guess I was wrong about the connector panel connectors,
I thought they were called N connectors. Sorry.

The ET shop was very close to Main Comm on the USS Midway, and I hung around there at times when off duty.
I live in Indiana not California so it isn't easy for me to visit CVA-41 to take a look to see the Patch Panel in Main Comm to findout the part number of the plug(s) used.
I was thinking if you remember seeing that panel when you were aboard Ship?
The coax cords had the sameconnector on either end to connect a Receiver to the jacks for the Antenn(s) available.

Just wondering, if you remember seeing what ai saw in the early 1960's.
Ed
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

What's with this N connector BS? I picked up a 2m/70cm antenna from a guy and it turned out to have an N connector on it. Do any of you have radios with N for the VHF/UHF hookup? I heard the Icom 9700 is like that. Why do these guys gotta go changing this stuff up?!

---
þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO
TACOPRONTO.bbs.io

Just rereading the original post.

Iwonder if Amphenol has an adapter to fit that antenna of yours to the connector on your radiogear?
Ed
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Ed Vance wrote to Gamgee <=-

As a retired US Navy electronics technician, I can tell you that N connectors are not the collar/push/pull type that you are referring to. There are connectors of that type, but the N-type is a screw-on
(threaded) connector of medium size, very common on Navy (and other) RF radio systems.

More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N_connector

The N-type connector is not a push/pull, it is threaded. There are
indeed various push/pull types, but I don't recall them being common in
RF systems. One type that I know of is called "Lemo" and there are
others, but generally not common in RF connections, I believe.

I guess I was wrong about the connector panel connectors,
I thought they were called N connectors. Sorry.

No worries, there are LOTS of different connectors, easy to get cross-connected... ;-)

The ET shop was very close to Main Comm on the USS Midway, and I hung around there at times when off duty.

The many ships I have been on always have the ET Shop near Main Comm. Probably a reason for that... ;-)

I live in Indiana not California so it isn't easy for me to visit
CVA-41 to take a look to see the Patch Panel in Main Comm to findout
the part number of the plug(s) used.
I was thinking if you remember seeing that panel when you were aboard Ship? The coax cords had the sameconnector on either end to connect a Receiver to the jacks for the Antenn(s) available.

I've seen lots of different patch panels, of many types. Some surely
had N-connectors, many did not. It's too broad of a category to
generalize the connector types.

Just wondering, if you remember seeing what ai saw in the early 1960's.

I certainly didn't see anything in the early 1960's... LOL To be
honest, most of the patch panels in my Navy were pushbuttons which electronically connected particular radios to a "trunk line" which then connected them to the appropriate antenna coupler. That panel was
called the "SAS" panel as I recall. In the actual transmitter rooms,
there were often many receptacles for a particular antenna, and you
would "latch" in a cable with a latch/lock mechanism on the end of it to connect to a certain HF transmitter, for example. Also you often had to
crank some handles on a coupler to get maximum efficiency out of the
antenna (reducing VSWR "reflections").



... Is fire supposed to shoot out of it like that!?
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

No worries, there are LOTS of different connectors, easy to get cross-connected... ;-)

The many ships I have been on always have the ET Shop near Main Comm. Probably a reason for that... ;-)

I've seen lots of different patch panels, of many types. Some surely
had N-connectors, many did not. It's too broad of a category to
generalize the connector types.

I certainly didn't see anything in the early 1960's... LOL To be
honest, most of the patch panels in my Navy were pushbuttons which electronically connected particular radios to a "trunk line" which then connected them to the appropriate antenna coupler. That panel was
called the "SAS" panel as I recall. In the actual transmitter rooms,
there were often many receptacles for a particular antenna, and you
would "latch" in a cable with a latch/lock mechanism on the end of it to connect to a certain HF transmitter, for example. Also you often had to crank some handles on a coupler to get maximum efficiency out of the
antenna (reducing VSWR "reflections").

... Is fire supposed to shoot out of it like that!?
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

I often visited the Transmitter compartment(s).
Occasionally I would hear a call on the intercom asking to change freq on one of the TXs and would do it for Main Comm.

The SRT-14 was my favorite rig.
I read its manual a lot of times.

There were WRT's and one TMC in that compartment with the SRT's.

Up above the Main Deck inthe UHF Room I liked the AN/GRC-17,I think it was 17 maybe 29, too long ago for Ed's Head (C) TM to remember.
It had a 4-65A in it. I liked that tube more than the 4-400 in the SRT's.

Back on topic, The panel I referred to was in Radio One , next to Main Comm.
It let different Antenn be used with the Receivers in Radio One.

My reason for writing Main Comm earlier is because I served as a Flag Messenger and was in there mainly.

73 de Ed W9ODR . .
---
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Ed Vance wrote to Gamgee <=-

I certainly didn't see anything in the early 1960's... LOL To be
honest, most of the patch panels in my Navy were pushbuttons which electronically connected particular radios to a "trunk line" which then connected them to the appropriate antenna coupler. That panel was
called the "SAS" panel as I recall. In the actual transmitter rooms,
there were often many receptacles for a particular antenna, and you
would "latch" in a cable with a latch/lock mechanism on the end of it to connect to a certain HF transmitter, for example. Also you often had to crank some handles on a coupler to get maximum efficiency out of the
antenna (reducing VSWR "reflections").

I often visited the Transmitter compartment(s).
Occasionally I would hear a call on the intercom asking to change freq
on one of the TXs and would do it for Main Comm.

The SRT-14 was my favorite rig.
I read its manual a lot of times.

There were WRT's and one TMC in that compartment with the SRT's.

Up above the Main Deck inthe UHF Room I liked the AN/GRC-17,I think it
was 17 maybe 29, too long ago for Ed's Head (C) TM to remember.
It had a 4-65A in it. I liked that tube more than the 4-400 in the
SRT's.

I think you were a generation or so ahead of me. The HF transmitters I
worked on were called URT-23's, with R-1051 HF receivers. UHF
transceivers were called WSC-3's with some older SRC-9's. I forget the
names of the various patch panels and antenna couplers.

Back on topic, The panel I referred to was in Radio One , next to Main Comm. It let different Antenn be used with the Receivers in Radio One.

My reason for writing Main Comm earlier is because I served as a Flag Messenger and was in there mainly.

Nice. The names of the Comm spaces varied by what class of ship you
were in. The stuff you mention sounds like Carrier stuff.... :-)

Drink to the Foam!



... "I'm a lawyer." "Honest?" "No, the regular kind."
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

Ed,

I will never get to become a Mister Know It All how much I try.

That's because Bullwinkle J. Moose already has the job!! <G>

Daryl

... I am Ohm of Borg. Resistance is relevant.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS -- Little Rock, Arkansas

Re: N connectors
By: Ed Vance to phigan on Sun Nov 16 2025 09:43 pm

Iwonder if Amphenol has an adapter t
fit that antenna of yours to the
connector on your radiogear?

Yeah, I've got adapters... and I even
have a decent cable with N on both
ends, but it's not very long. My issue
is that from what I recall, every
adapter makes you lose 1db of gain.

If I ever want to seriously use the
antenna with one of my radios, I'll
have to make a custom cable.

---
þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io