RF cables and adapters

[Daskid]

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

[sdmetrol]

We utilize Gore & Huber Suhner.

[griff61]

Pasternack doesn't suck

[CalibratorJ]

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.

[Hawaii596]

Pasternack is fine for general purpose, lower frequency use.  When you want precision adapters, I would use some of the better brands listed.

[RFCAL]

Get your RF cables from GORE. Expensive, but they last!

[silv3rstr3]

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.   

[CalLabSolutions]

For those of you who get Cal Lab Magazine..
The current issue comes with a catalog of connectors and cables.
Mike.

[griff61]

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.

[Hawaii596]

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.

[microwave-kevin]

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

[flew-da-coup]

We use MegaPhase. They are very durable and the techs like them.

[microwave-kevin]

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

[AHS2013]

A helpful website for reference in regards to RF connectors. http://na.support.keysight.com/pna/connectorcare/Connector_Care.htm

[CalibratorJ]

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......