WiFi and Cellular Radio Cables and Connectors
Contents
Manufacturer Plug Reference
There is no standard among manufacturers for the plug types on WiFi radio equipment. This reference is an attempt to demonstrate the more common plug types. Each image is not scaled in reference to the others. The size is set in a way to facilitate detail in order to easily identify each plug type against your equipment. Size and data will be given below the illustration.
Various connector types in the wild include: N-Type, RP-N, UHF, Mini-UHF, TNC, RP-TNC, SMA, RP-SMA, BNC and RP-BNC connectors.
A note on nomenclature: In a given example, TNC, the reverse polarity TNC plug may be labeled RTNC or RPTNC. R = reverse or RP = reverse polarity. Whether labeled Reverse-TNC, RTNC, or RPTNC, all three refer to the same Reverse Polarity TNC plug.
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.
