Connectors for your Communications Equipment
When you need to connect your radio communications equipment, audio-visual equipment, or other pieces of electronics, you may find that the equipment and cables have different types of sockets and jacks. In this case, you will need an adapter cable with a male or female MCX connector at one end and a male or female BNC connector at the other. You can buy ready-made adapter cables with only the connectors to make up the adapter coaxial cable. There are straight connectors and right-angled connectors to choose from.
What is BNC?
BNC stands for Bayonet Neill-Concelman. It is a miniature quick-connect radio frequency coaxial connector. It has two bayonet-type lugs on the female connector. Full mating of the female BNC connector to the male BNC jack is accomplished by turning the coupling nut a quarter of a turn. The BNC-type connection is used in test instruments, video signals, television, radio and other radio-frequency electronic equipment. BNC connectors have 50 or 75 Ohms impedance.
What is MCX?
MCX connectors or micro coaxial connectors are coaxial RF connectors that have the same inner contact and insulation dimensions as the lesser used SMB connectors. MCX connectors are 30 percent smaller than their SMB counterparts. Unlike BNC connectors, the MCX-type use a snap-on interface and normally have 50 Ohms impedance. They offer broadband capability from direct current up to 6 GHz. MCX connections are typically used to connect external antennas to GPS receivers and USB DVB-T tuners for computers and laptops.
How do I crimp a connector onto the cable?
Crimping the connectors onto the cable is a task that you can easily do yourself. You would need wire cutters, pliers, a crimping tool, and wire strippers. Use the following guidelines:
- Place the crimp ring over the cable end.
- Remove about half an inch of the cable's cover to expose the bare copper center using wire strippers.
- Expose about an 1/8 inch of the braid and foil by removing a small piece of the outer jacket.
- Bend all the braid and foil back evenly over the outside of the cable.
- Push the end of the cable into the connector until the white insulator is flush with the connector.
- Slide the crimp ring over the bottom of the connector, and crimp the ring tightly.
- Cut the copper wire flush with the connector. There is no need to solder the connector.
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