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Re: Slightly OT: VNA test cables

 

Hi Tobias,

I do not know how they mount the pin to the cable, but I could imagine the whole assembly has a limited number of mate/demates (maybe 1?)
So, they will not guarantee performance up to 40 GHz, and because of "commercial reasons" will not do it -> "I got it repaired, but now it's not perfect anymore."

One could always try a "hack-a-fix", like I did with a 2,92 mm Attenuator:

(Sorry, German only, but pictures should be self-explanatory)
In your case by salvaging another 2,92 mm connector.

All I experienced so far was: Cable broken -> To the bin.
Never seen somebody actually repairing a pre-assembled test-port-cable in a professional context.

Best Regards,
Martin

Am Do., 18. Juli 2019 um 09:40?Uhr schrieb Tobias Pluess <tobias.pluess@...>:

Hi Guys,
I have a slightly OT question.

We use at work a 40 GHz VNA and have microwave test cables with 2.92mm connectors from a well-known cable manufacturer whose name starts with G. Now, a colleague managed to break off one of the contact fingers of the female conductor, so this connector is actually damaged and useless. To me, the connector looks like it can be dismantled and the contacts can be exchanged; so I quoted the manufacturer for a repair of the connector or spare parts so we can do it by ourselves. However, they told me that it cannot be repaired and they don't sell spare parts; if something is damaged, I shall buy a new cable. Well, one of those microwave test cables costs around 2200$, so I am a bit pissed that I should buy a new cable when only a contact finger of a female conductor is broken.
So I wonder:
a) is this normal? what do you do if something from such a connector breaks? I know it should not happen and they should be treated with extreme care, but accidents happen sometimes...
b) or is it only for the "cheap" cables that they don't repair them? I think not repairing such an expensive cable is quite dubious and if I need to buy a new cable I will for sure evaluate another manufacturer which is more trustworthy, like Huber+Suhner.

Have you ever seen that a connector on a microwave VNA test cable got damaged, and what did you do?

Best
Tobias

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