RF Connectors Assortment

I got some SMA components recently. To check which ones I can use best for measurements. A few T-adapters, BNC to SMA adapters, a bit of 50 Ohm cable, 50 Ohm terminators.

Nice assortment! I prefer SMA antennas and recently got some u.FL to SMA cables.. but I need to improve using those, I find it very difficult to keep the u.FL connector aligned while pushing until it snaps in. I have tried using round bar, since then I can keep that vertical, I just about manage. Might try to make a tool one day, or buy something (don't want to spend a lot since I don't plug so many in!).

>  I find it very difficult to keep the u.FL connector aligned while pushing until it snaps in.

I have a trick. The first time I tried one, it embedded itself under the skin of my thumb .

But if you align it over the connector by holding the coax cable between thumb and index finger, just in the right position (and with your tongue in the right angle), you can press it down and it snaps in.

I gave that a shot!! You're absolutely right, the trick is to hold and look at the coax, and make sure it is parallel to the board. For the snapping-in, I still didn't trust myself, so I ended up finding a short length (about 50mm) of acrylic rod, and pushed with that (it was easy to see that the rod was vertical) although I guess there is a risk it could slide off while pushing. Might place a few-$ order for a 3D-printed tool with any next PCB order.

Incidentally, I was also wondering how to make it more permanent, because I won't be around when this board is installed in an enclosure, it is for a friend to fit in their garden watering "system". They would not know how to re-snap that connector in, if it worked loose. 

The experiment for now (I'm not very happy with it) was to add some strain relief to the coax. I used a small blob of black polydoh, and pressed in the coax to form a cradle to support the wire. Polydoh isn't adhesive, the cradle would slide around, so then I placed a few drops of UV glue on top, and cured that.

I might go back and put some other glue onto the connector itself, but I'm unsure since it might seep inside it. Maybe it's already fine. I also still need to add a coating to the board, since it will be outdoors.

Jan Cumps said:

(and with your tongue in the right angle)

That's slightly ambiguous - do you have a photo ? 

I'm more of a glue gun kind of guy, but I guess there are reasons not to use that in such a situation . 

Not a bad idea, since that won't drip inside the connector : ) 

shabaz said:

Incidentally, I was also wondering how to make it more permanent, because I won't be around when this board is installed in an enclosure, it is for a friend to fit in their garden watering "system". They would not know how to re-snap that connector in, if it worked loose. 

Is this some sort of 'extreme watering/gardening' thing we should know about ?

Perhaps a couple of holes through the PCB and a thin cable tie or loop of tinned copper wire through them and around the back of the connector ? 

Could do similar with the cable instead of the Polydoh/UV glue..

It's some off-the-shelf watering system they installed, just happens to not provide good alerts when the water is low. There is an enclosure and solar panel, so an option is to open up the box and stick it there if there's space (I have not thought the installation through! will leave that to them to figure out : ) The design is a bit ad hoc.. maybe a PCB antenna would have been better all round.

It's some off-the-shelf watering system they installed, just happens to not provide good alerts when the water is low. There is an enclosure and solar panel, so an option is to open up the box and stick it there if there's space (I have not thought the installation through! will leave that to them to figure out : ) The design is a bit ad hoc.. maybe a PCB antenna would have been better all round.