When I first went through our RF lab, I couldn’t figure out what one of the components was for. It’s here:
This male SMA connector can then be screwed onto another male SMA connector, and the process repeats itself. Just a couple of centimeters more. What’s going on?
Like me, you probably didn’t receive any formal training in operating RF equipment before diving into the field, and you’ve had to learn most of it on the job. This is something I happened to come across.
During my initial explorations of our RF lab, I came across one component for which I had no idea what it was used. It’s here:
That’s the end result when you screw it onto a male SMA connector. It’s just about an extra two centimeters longer. What’s going on?
Like me, you probably didn’t receive any formal training in operating RF equipment before diving into the field, and you’ve had to learn most of it on the job. This is something I happened to come across.
A $1 connector can save you a lot of time and money when it comes to making prototypes. So, what are the potential hazards to an SMA plug? The most important feature for me is the ability to simply push the SMA cable over the thread instead of screwing it on. They’re a godsend for quickly setting up experimental setups because SMA connectors are a pain to tighten and loosen. Just grab a few coupling nuts and cover your SMA connectors. In general, any use of an SMA connector causes wears and tear.
In terms of protection, expensive RF gear and high-end cables are more important than prototypes (the ones that cost upwards of three digits). So, don’t use cheap cables to connect high-end equipment.
Click here to find more information about another construction essential the Wedge Anchors
