f plugs: zinc or brass?

Hello,

I was looking to buy some f plugs, coax to f type adaptors, couples,
etc. and see that they are available in nickel plated brass or zinc.
Is there any difference?

Google said zinc was softer and would wear but I'm not sure whether
they are pure zinc or an alloy; the latter might be more durable? For
domestic use where they are not going to be unplugged repeatedly, I
can't see this is an issue; is it?

Thanks,
Stephen.

In article ,
wrote:
I was looking to buy some f plugs, coax to f type adaptors, couples,
etc. and see that they are available in nickel plated brass or zinc.
Is there any difference?

Google said zinc was softer and would wear but I'm not sure whether
they are pure zinc or an alloy; the latter might be more durable? For
domestic use where they are not going to be unplugged repeatedly, I
can't see this is an issue; is it?

I'd guess the zinc is zinc alloy which casts easily - Mazak or something -
and also breaks easily. But cheaper than brass. Unless there really is a
big difference in price which is critical I'd get the brass ones.

--
*Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
wrote:
Hello,

I was looking to buy some f plugs, coax to f type adaptors, couples,
etc. and see that they are available in nickel plated brass or zinc. Is
there any difference?

Google said zinc was softer and would wear but I'm not sure whether they
are pure zinc or an alloy; the latter might be more durable? For
domestic use where they are not going to be unplugged repeatedly, I
can't see this is an issue; is it?

Zinc alloy may be cheaper to make, but more prone to break or deteriorate.

Jim

--
Please use the address on the audiomisc page if you wish to email me.
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Armstrong Audio http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/Armstrong/armstrong.html
Audio Misc http://www.audiomisc.co.uk/index.html

On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 16:16:58 +0000 (GMT), Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article ,
wrote:
I was looking to buy some f plugs, coax to f type adaptors, couples,
etc. and see that they are available in nickel plated brass or zinc.
Is there any difference?

Google said zinc was softer and would wear but I'm not sure whether
they are pure zinc or an alloy; the latter might be more durable? For
domestic use where they are not going to be unplugged repeatedly, I
can't see this is an issue; is it?

I'd guess the zinc is zinc alloy which casts easily - Mazak or something -
and also breaks easily. But cheaper than brass. Unless there really is a
big difference in price which is critical I'd get the brass ones.

+1
My last lot came from Screwfix and seemed to be pretty good quality (a
couple of years ago). Read the reviews - I can't remember what it was
exactly, but there was something about the description not being accurate
and another sort was needed (for my purpose).
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

lid wrote:
Hello,

I was looking to buy some f plugs, coax to f type adaptors, couples,
etc. and see that they are available in nickel plated brass or zinc.
Is there any difference?

Google said zinc was softer and would wear but I'm not sure whether
they are pure zinc or an alloy; the latter might be more durable? For
domestic use where they are not going to be unplugged repeatedly, I
can't see this is an issue; is it?

Thanks,
Stephen.

Brass for screw-on, aluminium for crimps.

Bill

On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 21:17:46 +0000, Bill Wright
wrote:

Brass for screw-on, aluminium for crimps.

Bill

Brass it will be then. Thanks everyone.

BTW the costs are more or less the same for brass or zinc (the
difference is pennies), so no reason to choose on the basis of cost.

Thanks,
Stephen.

PS I was looking at the CPC web site. Why is it that an adaptor that
has an f socket on one end and a coax socket on the other end is only
25 pence but to go from an f socket to a coax plug is over a pound? I
expected the plug option would be more popular considering that tvs
and recorders require a plug input but I suppose people use the right
plug rather than use an adaptor.

What doesn't help is that there is not one name for the plugs (and
sockets) that are traditionally used for televisions. On cpc I have
seen uhf, coax, and pal all used as different words for the same
thing.

Thanks,
Stephen.

In article ,
wrote:
PS I was looking at the CPC web site. Why is it that an adaptor that
has an f socket on one end and a coax socket on the other end is only
25 pence but to go from an f socket to a coax plug is over a pound? I
expected the plug option would be more popular considering that tvs
and recorders require a plug input but I suppose people use the right
plug rather than use an adaptor.

What doesn't help is that there is not one name for the plugs (and
sockets) that are traditionally used for televisions. On cpc I have
seen uhf, coax, and pal all used as different words for the same
thing.

They were traditionally known as Belling-Lee connectors. Perhaps they
still exist and object to that name being used apart from genuine ones.

IMHO, they are one of the nastiest connectors around. Right up there with
SCART and DIN. ;-)

--
*Ham and Eggs: Just a day's work for a chicken, but a lifetime commitment

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 28/12/2013 16:47, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
PS I was looking at the CPC web site. Why is it that an adaptor that
has an f socket on one end and a coax socket on the other end is only
25 pence but to go from an f socket to a coax plug is over a pound? I
expected the plug option would be more popular considering that tvs
and recorders require a plug input but I suppose people use the right
plug rather than use an adaptor.

What doesn't help is that there is not one name for the plugs (and
sockets) that are traditionally used for televisions. On cpc I have
seen uhf, coax, and pal all used as different words for the same
thing.

They were traditionally known as Belling-Lee connectors. Perhaps they
still exist and object to that name being used apart from genuine ones.

IMHO, they are one of the nastiest connectors around. Right up there with
SCART and DIN. ;-)


Which DIN standard did you have in mind?

UHF, coax and PAL are all of course wrong. UHF being the frequency they
are sometimes used for (but I have one here for my VHF aerial...) coax
is the cable, and as for PAL - They have plugs that only support one
obsolete TV standard?

Andy

lid wrote:
PS I was looking at the CPC web site. Why is it that an adaptor that
has an f socket on one end and a coax socket on the other end is only
25 pence but to go from an f socket to a coax plug is over a pound? I
expected the plug option would be more popular considering that tvs
and recorders require a plug input but I suppose people use the right
plug rather than use an adaptor.

Having used a few of the F plug to Belling socket in the last few days,
I have found that the F contact is very iffy unless you tighten them up
with a spanner. Personally I prefer Belling plugs with a soldered
connection, which IME gives less noise than the F plug/socket connection.