Nifty Coaxial F-Connector Design

Cable Asylum

Interconnects, speaker wire, power cords. Ask the Cable Guys.

Image: Pair of RCA Model DT60CF Coaxial F-Connectors
While searching for F-connectors that feature an integral center pin rather than typical products that require a coaxial cable's bare copper center conductor to serve the purpose (prone to oxidize), I came across a rather unique line of A/V connectors from RCA/Thompson. A nice bonus is a few models are available from the local Home Depot (no need to pay for an online seller's shipping charge).
There are a few perhaps higher performance (and more expensive) solder type and set screw type terminated F-connectors with integral center pins (Ultralink, ViaBlue, among others), but the gold plated brass RCA brand connectors designed by Centerpin Technology (see link) are quite elegant, very solid, and a no-brainer for even a newbie to terminate (no need for soldering skills nor a crimping tool other than common needle-nose pliers).
Centerpin Technology web site link:
http://www.centerpin.com/flash-intro.html
A notable thing to mention; the F-connectors are intended for both indoor and outdoor use, so the package includes small rubber O-rings to seal the cap-to-body interface from outdoor moisture. Not so obvious (to notice) is the connector also features a rubber O-ring that's pre-installed near the center pin within the threaded thumbscrew ground nut. If the connector is intended for indoor use I recommend that the O-ring be removed with tweezers or fished-out with a pointy thingy, since I found CATV audio to sound much better without it, obviously (to my thinking) providing a more solid ground connection between the threaded thumbscrew and connector body.
An interesting article about problematic coaxial connection issues can be found here:
http://cs.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?article_id=243912
The image shown on the digitaltrends.com web page (see link below) is RCA's Centerpin Technology inline butt joint connector (Model DT60CFT for RG6 cabling) designed to splice two coaxial cables together:

http://news.digitaltrends.com/news_printerfriendly1841.html (Open in New Window)

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

VH Audio

Topic - Nifty Coaxial F-Connector Design - Duster 09:56:51 02/16/07 (3)

Re: Nifty Coaxial F-Connector Design - ash2459@ms5.hinet.net 04:28:11 02/18/07 (2)

Re: Nifty Coaxial F-Connector Design - Duster 13:35:02 02/18/07 (1)

Re: Nifty Coaxial F-Connector Design - ash2459@ms5.hinet.net 02:41:11 02/19/07 (0)

You can not post to an archived thread.