Which is best for QRP Antenna Connectors: BNC or RCA? I’ve seen both on the web, so I’m trying to decide which connector to use for a QRP antenna. Maybe you can help me out: Which is the “best” (most common, most useful, works best) for a QRP Antenna Connector: BNC (which stands for “Bayonet Neill-Concelman” according to Wikipedia) or RCA “phono” connectors (they were used for connecting a turntable to an audio amplifier for something like a half a century)?
BNC connectors cost more but won’t come loose. RF cables with BNC connectors seem to be more available. What I didn’t realize until recently is that they come in both 75 Ω and 50 Ω types. My picture above seems to be of the 50 Ω type. Wikipedia has a side-by-side picture comparing the two types. The commercial version of the Buddipole uses them.
RCA connectors are inexpensive but can become unplugged. This can be an annoyance if you lose your connection when someone trips over the cable, or it can be a feature in that the antenna won’t get pulled over when someone trips over the cable
(Of course, any cables that are up over the ground, or any guy lines, should be marked with flagging tape — available from any hardware store — to prevent someone from tripping.)
Comments? Votes?
Thank you.
Aron, W1AKI
Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE, pointed out that learning Morse code is “a fun and educational activity for children of all ages that can fill part of the gap left by the current unfortunate situation that has closed so many schools across the country.”