Tom, I can understand how connections and connectors fail upstairs as part
of a rotor loop for example.  Every time you turn the yagis rotor loops are
flexed, and the constant flexing can lead to metal fatigue for example, but
connectors on cables that are never move or touched, why the hell do they
break out of the blue?  As I just said in my prior post, the damn things
have a mind of their own.

73



Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Tom Behler
Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2014 7:55 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Epidemic of connector failures

Well, Steve, let's try to stop this connector epidemic right now!

It does seem that Murphy loves to pay many of us a visit in the winter-time
or near winter-time.

At least you can fix the problem on the ground.

Hang in there, my friend!

Tom Behler: KB8TYJ


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Steve Forst
Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2014 8:53 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Epidemic of connector failures

Following Alan's recent experience, I'm not sure if 2 failures equals an
epidemic, but  even the Black Death started with the first 2 victims.

Thought I'd get on 160 last night  and see if any DX in the contest.  My low
band dipole was dead as a doornail on 160, 80, and 40 meters. 
Thought maybe it had come down in the snow and wind of Wednesday night. 
  In the back yard I found the coax going up  into the sky as usual. 
Barring any failure of the laws of gravity I figured the antenna was still
up there.

Back in the shack, I found the connector on the cable from the dipole going
into the 4 position coax switch was intermittent.  It took a bit of a
jiggle, but  it was obvious in the receiver.  This was a soldered connector
done by the Wire Man about 10 years ago when I re-cabled the 
station with Davis Bury-flex.    Goes to show that anything can fail, 
even the least likely suspect.

Just went out this morning into the coax entry box, where  all antenna
cables enter, go to lightening protectors, and  then coax runs through 
the wall and to the shack.    I switched the coax from the 30 meter 
ground plane to the dipole and all is well.    I will have to redo that 
connector, but no real rush.

73, Steve KW3A