David Eckhardt:
Thanks. I like your second reply. Indeed, I also work in Aerospace, and we use SMA connectors that are $100 each,
with VNA's costing more than $250,000. But again, my question was what type of hookup and cal do you guys use
for Ham Radio HF stuff with PL-259's, and you provided an answer this time. It seems like the consensus of this
thread is to use SMA male (NanoVNA) to PL-259 Male (BandPass filter side) jumper cables, and make some SO-239
Open, Short, Load (precision 100 ohm x 2 in parallel), so I can calibrate at the end of the adapter cable, then hook up
the filter. Again, you guys seem to confirm my earlier question; At less than 50 Mhz, the small length or connector
variation will likely not be visible enough to interfere with aligning a bandpass filter.
I like the youtube video that Roger posted about making a simple set of SO-239 SOL cal units.
And yes, at 2meters, I would expect it to start showing up. Most Europe 2m ham gear uses Type N connectors,
while USA ham gear at 2m still uses the SO-239. Rather silly using an SO-239 above 50Mhz. But how do we
change all that commercial and installed base inertia? Personally, I make professional looking type N jumper
cables all the time, using proper crimp or compression fittings. But most hams panic at the meer mention
of a type N connector. Comical or sad...
[Disclaimer: For SMA at home, I purchase aerospace surplus at the monthly swapmeet, where the high quality
jumper cables, adapters, 90 degree, splitters, couplers, and even precision 18Ghz loads, cost approx $1 to $5
instead of $100 and up. At those prices, I don't bother trying to make my own SMA jumper cables.]
And no, you did not offend me, but I slipped and let some personality/opinion show through :-)
Thanks for the help.
Cheers,
Neal
Neal AB6G