F-plug need to be fully tightened?

I'm in the UK. I have the usual F-series connector on the coax
entering my cable modem.

http://www.newtechindustries.com/new...es/200-045.jpg

--------

I need to remove the connector every now and then so I lubed the
threads with a smear of vaseline.

At these RF frequencies (about 340 MHz) do I need to have true
electrical contact between the plug and socket or is close proximity
enough?

Would loose "hand tight" be sufficent?

>> --------
>>
>> I need to remove the connector every now and then so I lubed the
>> threads with a smear of vaseline.
>>
>> At these RF frequencies (about 340 MHz) do I need to have true
>> electrical contact between the plug and socket or is close proximity
>> enough?
>>
>> Would loose "hand tight" be sufficent?
>
> Hand tight is sufficient, yes. Its rare I would tighten them up any more
> than hand tight for most jobs,
>
>
Yep. a hand job is just the biz.......

Peto wrote:
> I'm in the UK. I have the usual F-series connector on the coax
> entering my cable modem.
>
> http://www.newtechindustries.com/new...es/200-045.jpg
>
> --------
>
> I need to remove the connector every now and then so I lubed the
> threads with a smear of vaseline.
>
> At these RF frequencies (about 340 MHz) do I need to have true
> electrical contact between the plug and socket or is close proximity
> enough?
>
> Would loose "hand tight" be sufficent?

Yep, for what you have in mind.

You can also, IIUC, get adapters to go on the end of the F plug and turn
it into "push on". Which will probably give a more reliable result as
"loose hand tight" could very easily turn into "fallen off -lying on the
floor".

--
Sue

>>
>> At these RF frequencies (about 340 MHz) do I need to have true electrical
>> contact between the plug and socket or is close proximity enough?
>>
>> Would loose "hand tight" be sufficent?
>
> Yep, for what you have in mind.
>
> You can also, IIUC, get adapters to go on the end of the F plug and turn
> it into "push on". Which will probably give a more reliable result as
> "loose hand tight" could very easily turn into "fallen off -lying on the
> floor".
>
> --
> Sue

Sorry, Sue, it won't be more reliable, just very convenient if you are
continually removing/replacing F connectors into various pieces of
equipment......... By your reasoning, then both will fall off The push on
F connector adapter is very prone to falling out of the back of whatever
it's connected to....... but boy, is it handy

"Peto" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ...
> I'm in the UK. I have the usual F-series connector on the coax
> entering my cable modem.
>
> http://www.newtechindustries.com/new...es/200-045.jpg
>
> --------
>
> I need to remove the connector every now and then so I lubed the
> threads with a smear of vaseline.
>
> At these RF frequencies (about 340 MHz) do I need to have true
> electrical contact between the plug and socket or is close proximity
> enough?
>
> Would loose "hand tight" be sufficent?

Plug, lube, Vaseline, contact, hand-tight.....
Oo-er Missus!

George

"Peto" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ...
> I'm in the UK. I have the usual F-series connector on the coax
> entering my cable modem.
>
> http://www.newtechindustries.com/new...es/200-045.jpg
>
> --------
>
> I need to remove the connector every now and then so I lubed the
> threads with a smear of vaseline.
>
> At these RF frequencies (about 340 MHz) do I need to have true
> electrical contact between the plug and socket or is close proximity
> enough?
>
> Would loose "hand tight" be sufficent?

Grease should only be used when making a weather tight seal. i.e. outdoors.
Typically a silicon sealer on 'N' connectors.

Grease is not commonly used on F connector threads. Some weather tight
models exude a sealer when crimped... but not on the threads.

Hand tight is insufficient in this case because one of tech support's first
questions is invariably "is your cable firmly attached" (I think it's on the
cue card).

Likewise any modification or adaptor you add will bear the brunt of blame in
any "discussion" with tech support or field service.

Constant plugging and unplugging of a F connector is not recommended because
the jack is likely to wear out making the center conductor connection
intermittent.

TT_Man wrote:

>>>--------
>>>
>>>I need to remove the connector every now and then so I lubed the
>>>threads with a smear of vaseline.
>>>
>>>At these RF frequencies (about 340 MHz) do I need to have true
>>>electrical contact between the plug and socket or is close proximity
>>>enough?
>>>
>>>Would loose "hand tight" be sufficent?
>>
>>Hand tight is sufficient, yes. Its rare I would tighten them up any more
>>than hand tight for most jobs,
>>
>>
>
> Yep. a hand job is just the biz.......
>
>
Man of experience!

http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5"

On Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:30:23 -0400, "Tim Perry"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Grease is not commonly used on F connector threads. Some weather tight
>models exude a sealer when crimped... but not on the threads.


Not true. There are several cities where the cable contractors followed
the CORRECT methodology of SEALING their fittings with an
anti-oxidant/moisture barrier.

This has NOTHING to do with U/G coax cabling, which has a liquid
sealant layer between the sheath (jacket) and the first braid or foil
layer.

That's the threads, AND the "stinger". From a man hour POV, it is
easier to simply plop a wad of it in the fitting, then the center
conductor as well as the threads get the application. The media does not
damage the connector or ANY fitting it gets mated with.

Cable companies are SUPPOSED to cut back their fittings every ten years
and place a new, properly treated fitting.
THAT is what the original plan called for, and is also what SHOULD BE
practiced. A ten year old uncoated fitting will have far more losses (can
have) than one which has had anti-oxidant treatment after a ten year
span.

So, in a PROPERLY implemented cable system, treatment IS the common
practice and teaching.

Where did I learn this? Cincinnati's Time Warner (formerly CUBE) cable
system. Way back in the early 80's. That was a DUAL system, so every
run was twice the number of fittings. Every hard line run was twice the
number. Dual taps at every node. All sealed from moisture.

"GoldIntermetallicEmbrittlement"
<(E-Mail Removed) g> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:30:23 -0400, "Tim Perry"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >Grease is not commonly used on F connector threads. Some weather tight
> >models exude a sealer when crimped... but not on the threads.
>
>
> Not true. There are several cities where the cable contractors followed
> the CORRECT methodology of SEALING their fittings with an
> anti-oxidant/moisture barrier.
>

You have a choice between conductive gunk which will tend to short out the
connection or non-conductive gunk which will tend to block the flow of
electrons where you would like them to flow. Take your pick. I pick neither.

Time Warner in new York picks neither also, as least as far as far as indoor
instillations go.

Given the OP's constant unplugging of the cable I doubt oxidization will
ever be a problem for him.

On Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:30:23 -0400, "Tim Perry"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Likewise any modification or adaptor you add will bear the brunt of blame in
>any "discussion" with tech support or field service.

The "techs" that "assist" you online are typically VERY DUMB.
>
>Constant plugging and unplugging of a F connector is not recommended because
>the jack is likely to wear out making the center conductor connection
>intermittent.


Yes, cable terminations can be very damaging to the female connectors
they mate with.


Most cable companies use a cable with a copper clad center conductor
which is steel. First off, it is very bad for your side cutters.

The second effect is that the center conductor ends up with a squared
off "nose" (end) that is of a very hard material. This means that
insertion into a female "f" connection WILL badly abrade on the two
spring loaded "wipers" that get pushed aside by the center conductor when
inserted. At that point, the two wipers become the connection to the
center conductor.

Several things happen with this cable type. First, the copper cladding
on it is barely thick enough to even call cladding. So it wears off, or
can wear fairly quickly. But a good hundred in and outs are likely not a
problem

Secondly is the abrasion on those two wipers. They can also "catch" on
the nose of the center conductor and get deformed as it tries to
literally push them out of the way. If the wipers are SPC (silver plated
copper) then the abrasion leading to poorer performance can be a mere few
insertion cycles. If it is brass or such, it may survive all 100
insertions, and still yield the same loss.

I have actually tried to round off the nose of my center conductor
before and found it inserted easier. If one has a pure copper center
conductor type cable, wear will not be an issue on the cable end, but it
could still abrade or deform the female fitting internal parts. I have
rounded those ends as well, but we are talking about severe overkill,
considering that one only desires to insert these things a couple of
times in their life.