Connector
Description
Common Uses
RP-TNC connectors
7/16" in diameter with 28
These connectors are com-
tpi UNEF. (The RP stands
monly used to connect coax-
for Reverse Polarity.)
ial cable to both indoor and
outdoor antennas. Can be
used on LMR-400, LMR-100,
LMR-195, and WBC-195
cables.
SMA and RP-SMA
/
" in diameter with 32 tpi
Most often used on indoor
connectors
Unified Standard (UNS).
antennas and wireless
adapter cards but also used
on outdoor mounted marine
antennas. Like RP-TNC con-
nectors, they work with a
wide variety of cable sizes.
MC, MMCX and
These connectors snap
Used almost exclusively on
RP-MC or
into place rather than
wireless adapter cards.
RP-MMCX
screwing on.
Reverse Polarity connectors switch the dielectrics and contacts between gen-
ders. For example, a Reverse Polarity Male connector has a male body but
the dielectric and contact are female. Don't try to mate a Reverse Polarity
connector and adapter with a standard coaxial connector; doing so will
damage the connectors.
If your antenna cable or pigtail terminates in an N, RP-TNC or RP-SMA con-
nector, you can use a short adapter pigtail to make the connection to your
adapter card. These cables are available from several sources.
All these connector types have available bullet-type adapters. These are used
(for example) to join two N-type male connectors. In all cases, even though
attenuation is minimal (usually between .15dB and .25dB per connector), use
as few connectors or adapters as you possibly can to do the job.
For more information regarding coaxial cable and connectors and adapters
I've found the following Web sites to be most helpful:
RadioLabs·com: www·radiolabs·com
WarDrivingWorld·com: www·wardrivingworld·com
HD Communications: www·wirelessnetworkproducts·com
HyperLink Technologies: www·hyperlinktech·com
Chapter 4: Putting Your Gear Together
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