Coax Plugs -v- F Connectors

[Tesla]

I am currently studying a book produced by the CAI (Confederation of Aerial Industries).

In it I was suprised to read that coax style plugs are only really used in Europe. With the USA favouring F-Type threaded connectors.

I have always thought coax plugs to be of poor design as over a period of time with pluuging and unplugging the socket in the TV, VCR etc... becomes very loose. It is the normal thing to use F connectors on satellite/cable equipment.

Just wondered if anybody had any idea why the UK/Europe didn't adopt F connectors many years ago?

Why don't freeview manufacturers put them on their boxes? Adapting to them now?

Chris

 

[carpmaster]

The "proper" name for a coax plus is a "Belling Lee" connector. That's because the inventors were the Enfield Belling Lee company in 1922. This plug was never really designed to be used as it is being used today. I think it's a good design really........if you catch the lead it will pop out.......

I think part of the problem with these plugs is that hardl anybody uses good quality Belling Lee connectors, and so we usually see ones made from cheap plastic which are never going to fit properly.

You are also supposed to solder them on the tips to ensure a constant signal path, but I don't do this as you would be there all day. It's quite adequate in most domestic installations to just bend the inner core so that it is always pressing up against the side of the plug.

Most of the professional distribution gear for MATV systems (non satellite) now use F connector fixings whereas they used to use Belling Lee connectors. I don't see this happening in the domestic market though unless all the manufacturers had a cut off date whereby they would all ditch the Belling Lee adaptors. People are used to them and that's the way things will stay (probably).