TNC Male Connector For RG8U / RG213 / LMR400 / LMR400UF / RFC400 / RFC400DB / RFC400UF cables

TNC Male Connector specifically engineered for robust crimp termination onto a range of larger 50 Ohm coaxial cables, including RG8U, RG213, LMR400, LMR400UF, RFC400, RFC400DB, and RFC400UF. As a TNC (Threaded Neill-Concelman) type, it features a threaded coupling mechanism, which is critical for providing a highly secure, vibration-resistant, and weather-sealed connection, thereby ensuring optimal signal integrity in challenging radio frequency (RF) environments. Being a “Male” connector, it is equipped with a central pin (inner conductor) and external threading on its barrel, designed to precisely mate with a corresponding female TNC receptacle. The “crimp” termination method involves the compression of a metal ferrule around the cable’s outer braid and jacket, while the central conductor is typically soldered or occasionally crimped, creating a durable and low-resistance electrical and mechanical bond. Its broad compatibility with thick cables like RG8U and RG213, as well as modern low-loss “400-series” cables (LMR400 and its flexible/double-braided variants), signifies its suitability for demanding applications that require high power handling, minimal signal attenuation over extended distances, and exceptional physical resilience, commonly found in areas such as cellular infrastructure, high-gain antenna systems, broadband wireless deployments, and various professional and amateur radio installations.

Technical Specification

1. Electrical Specifications:

Impedance: $50Ω$ (Ohms). This is the standard impedance for the TNC series and all the specified large coaxial cables.
Frequency Range: Typically 0 to 6 GHz (Gigahertz). High-grade versions can extend to 11 GHz or even 12 GHz, ensuring compatibility with many modern wireless communication systems.
Voltage Rating:
- Working Voltage: Often around $1000 V_{RMS}$ (Volts Root Mean Square) at sea level, reflecting its capability for higher power applications.
- Dielectric Withstanding Voltage (DWV): Typically $2500 V_{RMS}$ to $4000 V_{RMS}$ (at sea level), indicating strong insulation breakdown resistance.
VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio):
- Excellent performance, commonly $< 1.25 : 1$ to $1.3 : 1$ at lower frequencies (e.g., up to 3 GHz).
- Designed to maintain good VSWR across its operating frequency range, essential for minimizing signal reflections.
Contact Resistance:
- Center Contact: Typically $\leq 1.0$ m$\Omega$ (milliohms), ensuring efficient signal transfer.
- Outer Contact: Typically $\leq 0.5$ m$\Omega$, providing a low-resistance ground path.
Insulation Resistance: Typically $\geq 5000$ M$\Omega$ (Megaohms), ensuring minimal current leakage.
Insertion Loss: Very low, typically $< 0.05$ dB at lower frequencies, increasing slightly with frequency, reflecting its efficiency in signal transmission.

2. Mechanical Specifications:

Connector Type: TNC Male Plug.
Coupling Mechanism: $7/16 - 28 U NS - 2 A$ external threading, which provides a secure, vibration-proof, and often weatherproof connection when mated with a corresponding TNC female jack.
Termination Style: The outer ferrule (for the cable’s braid and jacket) is Crimp. The center contact (pin) is typically Solder for these larger cable types (RG8U, RG213) to ensure a robust and low-resistance connection to the larger central conductor. However, some newer designs for LMR-400 may feature a crimp center pin.
Cable Compatibility: Designed to precisely fit the dimensions of:
- RG8U & RG213: Standard braided coaxial cables with approximately 0.405 inch (10.3 mm) outer diameter.
- LMR400, LMR400UF, RFC400, RFC400DB, RFC400UF: Low-loss equivalent cables, also with approximately 0.405 inch (10.3 mm) outer diameter. The “UF” indicates ultra-flexible versions, and “DB” indicates direct burial.
Durability (Mating Cycles): Typically $\geq 500$ cycles, indicating a long operational lifespan under normal use.
Cable Retention Force: High, designed to withstand substantial axial pull force, important for durable cable assemblies.

3. Material & Plating:

Body: High-quality Brass, chosen for its excellent machinability, strength, and corrosion resistance.
Body Plating: Commonly Nickel (often over copper flash) for superior corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and a durable finish.
Center Contact: Brass (for the pin), known for its good conductivity.
Center Contact Plating: Gold (typically 30-50 microinches over nickel) for excellent conductivity, low contact resistance, and long-term resistance to oxidation.
Insulator (Dielectric): PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene, e.g., Teflon) is the standard material due to its outstanding dielectric properties, low RF loss, and wide operating temperature range.
Gasket/Seal (if weatherproof): Silicone rubber or other suitable elastomeric material for environmental sealing.

4. Environmental Specifications:

Temperature Range (Operating): Typically wide, from $- 6 5^{\circ} C$ to $+ 16 5^{\circ} C$ , reflecting the robust nature of the materials used.
Corrosion Resistance: High resistance to harsh environments including salt spray, humidity, and UV exposure (often meeting MIL-STD-202 standards).
Vibration: Designed to maintain stable electrical and mechanical connections under specified vibration levels.
Shock: Engineered to withstand mechanical shock without degradation.
Weatherproof/Waterproof: Many are designed to be weatherproof or meet IP67 ingress protection when properly mated, making them suitable for outdoor and marine applications.

5. Recommended Tooling:

Crimp Tool: Requires a heavy-duty crimp tool with the correct hexagonal die sizes (e.g., typically 0.429″ / 10.9mm for the ferrule on LMR-400 / RG8U / RG213 cables).
Soldering Iron: For the center pin, if it’s a solder-type contact, a good quality soldering iron with appropriate tip and solder is needed.
Cable Stripping Tool: A precision multi-stage stripping tool is essential to prepare the cable layers to the exact dimensions specified by the connector manufacturer’s assembly instructions.