HAM Radio RF Connector Index
Contents
Manufacturer Connector Reference
N Standard
| male | 
|
|
female |
- Miscellaneous radio including WiFi and Cellular.
UHF
| male | 
|
|
female |
- Miscellaneous radio, CB, and Cellular. Not recommended for Wifi.
- names: pl259 sl16 uhf so239
The most popular cable plug and corresponding chassis-mount socket carry the old Signal Corps nomenclatures PL-259 (plug) and SO-239 (socket). The PL-259 can be used with large diameter coaxial cable, such as RG-8/U and RG-9/U, and the smaller diameter RG-58/U and RG-59/U with the use of UG-175/U and UG-176/U adapter sleeves. "PL-259" refers to one specific mechanical design, but the term is often used for any compatible UHF cable plug. The thread is 5⁄8 inch 24tpi UNEF standard. (5/8-24 threaded coupling)
Mini UHF
| male | 
|
|
female |
- Miscellaneous radio, CB, and Cellular. Not recommended for Wifi.
Mini-UHF has a 3/8-24 thread size and operates up to 2.5 GHz.
TNC
(Threaded Neill–Concelman connector)
| male | 
|
|
female |
- Miscellaneous radio including WiFi and Cellular.
Reverse-TNC
(RTNC or RPTNC)
| male | 
|
|
female |
- Miscellaneous radio including WiFi and Cellular.
SMA
| male | 
|
|
female |
- Miscellaneous radio including WiFi and Cellular.
- example hardware: Proxim Harmony PCI Card
Reverse-SMA
(RSMA or RPSMA)
| male | 
|
|
female |
- Miscellaneous radio including WiFi and Cellular.
- example hardware: WL-500g Premium, D-LinkAir Dl-614/714, Linksys WET11, Linksys WMP11 PCI Card, Netgear FM114P router, Proxim RL/2 Bridge
BNC
| male | 
|
|
female |
- Miscellaneous radio.
Reverse-BNC
(RBNC or RPBNC)
| male | 
|
|
female |
- Miscellaneous radio.
Specific Connectors
SMA and Reverse SMA
SubMiniature version A (SMA) has a 1/4"-36 thread. The male is equipped with a 0.312 Inch (5/16 Inch) hex nut. The SMA connector requires a 5/16" wrench to fit across the flats. The male connector has inside threads while the female connector has outside threads on an SMA connector. SMA is rated for frequencies up to 18 GHz.
Reverse Polarity SubMiniature version A (SMA) reverses the gender of the interface and are widely used by Wi-Fi equipment manufacturers to comply with specific FCC regulations that are designed to frustrate those intending on using illegal power amplification. The FCC foolishly considered that the RP-SMA was acceptable in preventing consumers changing the antenna. Adapters are readily available making the RP-SMA nothing more than a nuisance to those working in the industry.
2-way radio HTs tend to use the SMA connector.
Computer WiFi equipment commonly uses the RP-SMA connector.
NMO Antenna Mount
New MOtorola (NMO) is a type of antenna mount sometimes used for Ham Radio equipment in mobile applications. NMO is more popular in Land Mobile Radio. This antenna connector uses a 3/4" (19mm) mounting hole and has a large base with a 1-1/8" - 18 TPI (threads per inch) thread for attaching the antenna. There are a large number of antennas that are built to utilize this type of mount.
The NMO mount tends to be stronger and less difficult to "water proof" than alternatives such as SO-239. The UHF (SO-239) connector was not originally intended to be a direct to antenna connector or mobile application. NMO, on the other hand, was designed for mobile application. If you unscrew the antenna on a police car you will see an NMO mount. Most NMO mounts use 3/4" mounting holes, but some manufacturers offer them in a 3/8" variation.
