Where to get RG11 tools and connectors?

Chappers

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Hi everyone,

Just wondered if someone here could point me in the right direction for finding a supplier in the UK (preferably over the net) for coax connectors and tools.

I need to put connectors on RG11 but am a bit confused as to what to use. I gather there are two types of connectors available - crimp and compression - needing two different types of tool. The connections I'll be making will be exposed to the elements so ideally need to be waterproof. Any recommendations on which type of connector to use?

Also, I can't seem to find many stockists of crimping or compression tools, and none for connectors for either type of tool. Can anyone recommend places please?

Many thanks for your time,
James
 

rolfw

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_http://www.jwhardy.co.uk/shop/pages/pl_co_fpro.html should do the job. :)
 

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Thanks a lot for that link, they seem to do just about everything.

Would you recommend one type of connector over the other (compression/crimp)?

Unfortunately the prices are quite high from jwhardy, especially the £2.50 per RG11 connector... don't suppose there's anywhere a bit cheaper?

Many thanks,
James
 

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How many will you be fitting?

The better connectors in my opinion are the Snap n seal type (compression), but Crimp are good also.
 

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I'll be using them to carry out repairs to an existing large installation (caravan park, around 800-900 caravans, MATV underground cable installation terminating outside each caravan), and for any future repairs. Indoor-type crimp conenctors have been used on a lot of the outdoor cable connections and so the signal is suffering in places.

I'd prefer to use the compression ones, but I can't find a compression tool or associated connectors on that website for RG11, only RG6, etc.
 

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Give Alltrade.co.uk a ring, they are wholesale only, but sounds like you will be using a significant number. :) The RG11 tool for snap'n'seal is £60 or so plus VAT.
 

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Thanks for that, I've just sent them an email.

I'm still confused as to the different connector types and what you do with them. We have some RG11 F connectors at work from a time when there was also a tool to go with them (some ex-employee or other took the tool with them on leaving, years ago), and these have a solid outer ringed at the bottom, and an inner cylinder almost as long as the plug outer which presumably goes between the outer sheath and the inner foam dielectric. I assumed this was a compression fitting, requiring a tool to push the connector on (impossible to push on by hand because of the inner cylinder). But I've since seen the same connectors for sale on various websites advertised as crimp-on connectors. That's left me thinking...does it require two tools, a compression to force it onto the cable, and then a crimper to use on the ringed bottom of the connector to ensure it stays put?

I assumed:

Crimp connectors just push on by hand and are hollow in the middle, like a screw-on F connector. You then crimp the outer with a tool to grab the cable sheath.

Compression are just force-pushed onto the cable end with a tool, with a cylinder in the middle which goes between sheath and foam dielectric, and the force required to push it in also acts to keep the connector on, i.e. the cylinder in the middle trapped between the outer and foam keeps the plug in place.

Snap and Seal connectors push on easily by hand and then a lower ring is forced up into the base of the connector with a tool, trapping the cable in place in a similar fashion to some push-fit water pipe unions, or waste pipe unions, where a conical or reduced-size shape squashes the cable and retains it.

Is this right, if not, could you please educate me?

Thank you for your time and patience, I really do appreciate it.

James
 

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Both snap'n'seal and Crimp connectors have an inner sleeve, which is pushed between the outer and the dielectric and an outer. Both can be difficult to push on, particularly if it is direct burial cable, as the outer is very hard.
 

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Considering this is underground RG11, the outside is very solid, and my attempts at pushing one of the connectors on that we already have (with the inner sleeve and center pin) are completely futile, it doesn't even go 1mm into the area between sheath and foam. In this situation, is that what the compression tools are for?

Although this same connector is used on the site, I've never seen any of them crimped at the base, although the same ones (from appearance) on aerial parts websites claim they're crimp-on connectors. The ones on our system are impossible to pull off by hand or tool even without the crimping having been done which leads me to think they're just designed to be forced onto the cable and the sheer force needed means they won't just come off. It's the tractor that moves caravans running over them that manages to pull some connectors off, the others are just lossy and need replacing.
 

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A hair drier on the cable end may help matters, I remember with direct burial WF125, I had to slit down the side of the cable in the end to get the connectors on, but this was an internal connection.
 

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Using a hairdryer just isn't going to be viable where the connections are located, so looks like it must be compression.

JWHardy does not do outdoor compression connectors, which are the only alternative. The other place seems to be bulk only, but I'll see what they say if they bother to get back to me. For now, I can't get the go-ahead to buy hundreds of connectors - just need a few.

Naturally, I can find suppliers in abundance in the USA for compression tools, connectors, you name it - and all at sensible prices, not £2.50 a connector. So I may end up buying from there and just having to wait a few weeks for delivery. This country has hardly any choice and silly prices as usual.

Anyway, thanks for helping.
 

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I bought a mini gas heat gun from the US, bought it for precisely this reason, it was like this one:

ebay 190224660667
 

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Well I've gone for snap and seal RG11 connectors from ashcomms.com along with the tool and a cutter. I'm looking at the kind of device you've got to blow hot air in order to help get them on. I think there will be lots of practising...
 

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Well done, be interesting to see how you get on, forgot about Ashridge, I use them for a few specialist products. :)
 

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Got the bits (F connectors, tool and cutter) and also got a little Draper hot air blower, two or three times the size of a cigarette lighter, from eBay. Works a treat. Thanks for providing me with that little tip, it allows me to get the connectors on easily and produce excellent connections. The snap and seal connectors seem high quality and produce very good results, I'm very pleased with them. Thanks again for all your help.
 

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You're very welcome. :) Great to hear success stories. :)
 
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