atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring F Connector for RG58

A friend of mine needs to terminate several ends of RG58 with F connectors. What do you suggest for this? I've found a nice solution for my own RG6 uses, but the F connectors I've seen appear to have a soldered tip over the center conductor. He doesn't want the hassle of soldering, and his application requires RG58.

Is there good compression F connector to use? Thanks!

Jim

Not for RG58. You would need to terminate the RG58 to a BNC and then use a BNC to F adapter. Tesco has all this as does many other supply houses.

Rcaman

Looked at all of my sources and can only find ones like this

https://www.l-com.com/coaxial-f-type-male-crimp-for-rg58-195-series.

If you can install a 3 piece BNC, you can install these.

I just wonder what the RG-58 is being connected to that has F connectors. RG-58 is a 50 ohm cable. Any device with an F connector usually expects a 75 ohm cable.

Is this a case where RG-58 was run by somebody who doesn't know any better?

-Hal

Well, I learned something new. I stand corrected. I guess L-com makes a F connector for RG-58. Why would anyone want to do that? I guess it must be somewhat common as this is the first I have seen a F connector for RG-58. The L-Com connector is a solder on stinger.

Rcaman

Exactly.

Must not be concerned about the mismatch. I've done the BNC-to-F adapter thing in an emergency, but I never would have thought anyone would have made a F connector for RG-58. Guessing the inner-conductor of RG-58 is too small for a proper fit in the female connector, hence the soldered stinger.

Many TV stations used to use 50-ohm BNC's made to fit RG-59 in the analog days. Our place was full of AMP connectors of this type.

The F connector was designed as a cheap and dirty alternative to other connectors of the time. It was easy to install and aimed at less critical applications like TV antenna and cable TV. While all connectors have a characteristic impedance the slight mismatch can often be overlooked with most applications today. It is the cable itself that will cause the problems.


The first thing that comes to mind is the ease of installation. When used with an F to BNC (or other like UHF) adapter all should be fine. RG-58 was widely used in the days before ethernet to wire networks. With those T connectors I can't believe the impedance of the cable connector matters much. Many techs shy away from the BNC because of the need for special tools and difficulty of installation.

But my question again is what is the application? If someone got a deal on RG-58 and they are using it to wire a house for cable...

-Hal

Hal is correct. The F connector is NOT designed for anything else except RG-6 or 59 cable. I did a lot of work for the TV broadcast stations here is Pittsburgh. I had many instances of RG-58 being used for the multitude of 50 ohm video equipment connections, hence the reference to the BNC to F connector adapters that were used to connect the odd video piece that had a F connector.

In all older network cabling, the BNC was the ONLY connector used for RG-58.

Rcaman

I've been trying to remember what I used RG-58 for and my poor brain is giving me trouble. Could it have been for Wang computers? I remember soldering on BNC and TNC connectors for those.

RG-62 was for IBM terminals. RG-8 was for Microwave. RG-11 was Video feeders. RG-6 was HD video. RG-59 was older TV, CCTV, and DS-3 connections (with BNC).

I know I installed 58, but for the life of me I can't remember what for.

Very sad.

Sam

RG-58A/U and RG-58C/U were used for thinnet.