Hello!
My company wants to start an RF program and I wanted to know which brand/manufacturer of RF cables and adapters y'all recommend and why. Google tells me a bunch of companies, but I wanted to know what the RF experts use in actual calibration and testing.
Thanks in advance.
Ed
We utilize Gore & Huber Suhner.
Pasternack doesn't suck
You pretty much can't go wrong with adapters as long as you clean them, gage them, and for pete's sake, take the rubber washers out of them (TypeN).
Cables, I've used Gore mostly, Megaphase for some lower frequency (TypeN) connections, dunno about their higher freq stuff. Just remember, a cable is only as good as the adapters on the ends...... 50GHz cable with TypeN connectors..... what a waste.
Pasternack is fine for general purpose, lower frequency use. When you want precision adapters, I would use some of the better brands listed.
Get your RF cables from GORE. Expensive, but they last!
Over the past year we had to send back two N type cables to Mega Phase because the center pin stuck into an adapter. They fixed them for free so I'm not complaining. But everyone gives me sh!t about it like I went "MARINE" on it!! I tighten those hand tight and use wrenches for anything smaller.
For those of you who get Cal Lab Magazine..
The current issue comes with a catalog of connectors and cables.
Mike.
Quote from: CalibratorJ on 03-20-2015 -- 23:01:54
You pretty much can't go wrong with adapters as long as you clean them, gage them...
Pretty much covers it, along with removing rubbers, an SMA jammed onto a 3.5 isn't helpful either. I would also thrown in torquing them all, including N-type is good practice.
I've never had a problem with Pasternack, all the way up to 50GHz, but to each his own.
I'll throw one more small tidbit in while on the topic of RF connectors and adapters: To any newer techs who read this, treat them with proper respect. Don't twist the center pin (for example when connecting SMA or 3.5mm, or N, make the GOOD habit of inserting the pin straight without rotating it; just rotate the outer shell of the connector (maybe someone can word that better). This prevents rotational wear and tear on the center pins and prolongs the life of the connector. And, of course, use the correct torque when tightening the connectors, with a calibrated torque wrench made for the job. And for some of the connectors, put those black protective boots over them when not in use (APC-7 and others) to minimize scoring. Some of those cables can get really expensive.
Maury Microwave, Keysight (a lot of their stuff is actually Maury), thats pretty mch it for the good stuff, for run of the mill low level work I guess the other vendors are OK as long as they dimensionally but I would still keep my metrology grade connector desperate.... connector effects are HUGE,
For an interesting paper on connector mating habits have a look at
http://www.metas.ch/dam/data/metas/Fachbereiche/Hochfrequenz/Projects/MetInfo_MatingHabits.pdf
We use MegaPhase. They are very durable and the techs like them.
Never tried MegaPhase, for run of the mill cables (test port extensions) most suppliers are probably OK, for VNA Test Port Extensions stay with the big names especially if you are going up in freq, even one of the Big Names vendors have some near field problems with 2.4mm (f) and are in a re-design process. The test grade look good but give a try to connector orientation and repeatability and you will find a difference between them and metrology grade....Keep your metrology grade adapters and cables separate from working / test adapters
A helpful website for reference in regards to RF connectors. http://na.support.keysight.com/pna/connectorcare/Connector_Care.htm
For what it is worth, we happen to have picked up some Anritsu 3670V series cables a few years ago for PNA use. They're flexible rigid cables. Maybe not the greatest cables out there, but the repeatability we get using them is outstanding, much better than the standard flexi PNA cables and much easier to use/ work with than the cheaper rigid PNA cables that you can only bend once.
Just offering up other ideas.....
*edit- duh, forgot Anritsu doesn't make 2.4mm stuff, it's 'V' - 2.4 and 1.85 compatible. Either way, they work great - and are almost indestructible. I'd tell you how I know that, but well, let's just say 'cleanliness is next to godliness' apparently didn't get drilled into everyone's heads before they touched the PNAs and slotless stuff......
I've liked Gore. None of the other cables I've used have been as good or as durable.
Excellent cables, many OEMS relabel and sell as their own.... not only the VNA "test port cables" but also their cheaper cables are also very good for run of the mill measurements.
I've used most of the cables suggested here and most were good. Just wanted to throw in one more that I didn't see as a general purpose everyday bench use cable. I have several from Florida RF Labs and really like their armorized cables. I have a few of their 2 and 3 foot cables @ 2.92mm/K connectors_40 GHz in use now for several years without problem. I have seen some problems with these in manufacturing areas where there are tremendously high volume on/off and flexing activities but in the calibration lab I've had no complaints. I definitely agree with all suggestions that for network analyzer use it is best to go with cables designed to fit the VNA NMD connector. I've gotten them from the OEM, Gore or Megaphase and had success with each, GORE my preference. Using a J-J thru at the VNA NMD connector to 3.5 mm connector/cable is begging for trouble, I've done the repairs due to this kind of strategy more than once from the thru getting progressively worked deeper and deeper into the VNA connector from poor torque methods. On some of the older VNA's trying to remove the embedded thru without understanding how often causes mechanical damage to the immediate directional coupler. This is not an easy fix from my experience. It can be hard to justify the X10 cost for the correct VNA cable set though. The company i work for has upwards of 100 VNA's in operation/manufacturing within my labs area of responsibility and that's a lot of money for them.
I have been reading the HP manual "connector care for RF and microwave coaxial connectors" P/N 08510-90064.
I definitely need to order some SMA/N adaptors to replace my old worn out stuff and read that metrology grade connectors have "direct traceability" to national standards because of their tolerances.
The link by AHS2013 mentions "best traceability" regarding that grade. I suppose it would be safest to say I should have metrology grade but I am wondering if there is any guideline as to when you need that grade and when you don't.
I have decided on Maury Microwave "Instrument Grade" adaptors for the small commercial lab I currently work in and based my decision on the SWR of the instruments we calibrate.