DIY U.FL Extraction tool?

u.FL connectors are just a pain. Connector manufactures sell an extraction tool for these wonderful RF connectors, such as

67AK0084 67AK0084 67AK0084

Pricey.

How about two 100'thou SMD header pins soldered for a 2.5mm gap between the pins?

Hmm, these photos scream of potato vision...

I'll try it for a bit and see if it works out..

Other ideas?

Source: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/three-quick-tips-about-using-ufl/all

Hirose Recommendations:

https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/3926994.pdf

Testing. Why do pasted images get scaled? Trying a small one.

Top Replies

dougw over 1 year ago

Cool idea. Insertion and removal of these connectors can be downright scary.

I might try taking a Dremel abrasive disk to cut one from a solid piece of steel - without bending it.

Maybe even cut one on the head of a long screw.
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scottiebabe over 1 year ago

What am I doing wrong:
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Gough Lui over 1 year ago

I've always found my fingers (with fingernails) to be sufficient ... what annoys me more is the myriad of names that are used for this type of connector that are seemingly interchangeable - u.FL, IPEX, MHF4 ...

But perhaps you might have soma aluminium plate you could drill a small hole in and use nippers to open it up into something resembling a fork.

Or just use a pair of side cutters backwards, applying no squeeze, only leverage ... or a very fine pair of pliers or tweezers.
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Jan Cumps over 1 year ago in reply to Gough Lui

I've had a connector cut through my thumb skin and be stuck under it, when removing.

It's hard to restrain yourself and not run around to deal with the pain. Only the knowledge that you 'll rip a tiny trace manages to keep you calm...
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scottiebabe over 1 year ago

Motivation: my fingers were getting sore cycling through SOLT calibrations

I wonder what the typically removal force of u.FL connector is? This excerpt would suggest 30N or 3 kg, wow.
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scottiebabe over 1 year ago in reply to Gough Lui

Yes! The horror:

Excellent alternate suggestions, thank you.
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scottiebabe over 1 year ago

Yay! Thank you.
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Gough Lui over 1 year ago in reply to scottiebabe

Hmm. I wouldn't use such connectors for that on a regular basis ...

If I recall correctly, IPEX are only rated for 20-30 cycles with guaranteed characteristics. That being said, peerhaps you can get more out of them by being careful, but I suspect the springy metal on the female may fatigue and the plating may be worn through, else the round outer wall on the male could deform when not properly unmated or mated with too much force (i.e. at an angle).

- Gough
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scottiebabe over 1 year ago in reply to Gough Lui

I paid $10 CAD for two SMA to U.FL pigtails, 25 u.FL connectors, an assembled PCB with a sprinkling of different components.

As you say, the u.FL connectors likely won't last forever, but I won't be out much and it will be interesting to see what fails first.
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Gough Lui over 1 year ago in reply to scottiebabe

Wow ... that's ... not a price we can get where I am. That being said, I'd suspect the connectors aren't the "genuine" deal and are "compatible" types. I've found some of those much looser - easy to do by hand, compared to the genuine article where cutting yourself is a risk.

- Gough
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