FCC Approves Same Sex Cable Connections

[N0WEK]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a move being touted by proponents as “ground breaking” and by critics as “the end of the world,” the Federal Communications Commission has announced approval of same sex cable connections.

http://hamhijinks.com/fcc-approves-same-sex-cable-connections/

[w8khk]

It's a good thing for all of us that this is finally approved by the higher authority (FCC).  Now we can use our test instruments and cables without any fear or guilt.  General Radio and Hewlett Packard have been doing this since the beginning.  

GR started, and HP followed, with the 3/4 inch spaced banana jack/plug, which should probably be looked at as bi-sexual, not same sex, because it can be either a male or female depending upon how it is connected.  

Then later on came the GPIB/HPIB connector, which can be stacked so as to be compatible with either male or female.  

But the original connector that comes to mind is the early General Radio coaxial connector used on their early instruments, which can be considered either male or female, or neither.  They just plug together and maintain an impedance match, no consideration whether it is male or female.  Does anyone remember this connector?  If not, I will share a photograph.  Hint: it is commonly used for the input (generator) and output (detector), but not the unknown connector, on the GR 1606-A bridge.

[KB2WIG]

Can't we all just get along? We should remove ourselves from all of this sexist nomenclature, and move to a higher plane.

Barrier Strips.

Just use Barrier Strips.

Now I feel better.


klc

[KD6VXI]

Barrier strip.   Like Brooke Shields,  just sounds like an anti sexual device .

--Shane
 KD6VXI

[W6TOM]

  This will end up as a 5 to 4 decision in the Supreme Court......

[w8khk]

Can't we all just get along? We should remove ourselves from all of this sexist nomenclature, and move to a higher plane.

Barrier Strips.

Just use Barrier Strips.

Now I feel better.


klc

YES! I agree with Kevin.  I like barrier strips too.  My last transmitter project used them profusely.  So flexible.  Any wire can be mated with any terminal.  No longer locked in with the same old connection.  Barrier strips have been around for a long long time, but they fit in very well with today's desire to experiment.  Kudos Kevin!

[W3RSW]

When hooking up your DX35 to the dipole via 1/2 inch spaced barrier strips, use adjacent posts for 50 to 75 ohms; use alternate posts for 300 to 450 ohms and use every third for 600 ohms. Don't forget to keep the intermediate posts empty.

Barrier strips are handy for product detector diode and bridge mounting circuits too. You can see where your crossovers are.    . Many experimental lash ups are possible up into the lower VHF without having to solder and unsolder new components.

Teaching electronic fundamentals is fun with barrier strips too.

And yeah I remember the General Radio hermaphrotite  connectors in E lab some years ago.

[K1JJ]

Real troubleshooters use wire wrap connections backed up with acid core solder -  to stay in practice.

[WU2D]

Wet the tip.

[Steve - K4HX]

PHRASING! Boom!

[W3RSW]

Fellow skier not happy with your work Tom.  Um, did I guess wrong Steve?

[/...connections backed up with acid core solder -  to stay in practice.quote]

Tell me that's not your work where you splattered everything around ground zero trying to remove
the grounds from all those clip mounted electrolytics .  Every other joint around looks well whetted.

[Steve - K4HX]

Nah. A joke for those who watch Archer.

[W4DNR]

My  neighbor who has been married for fifty years said that this same sex thing ain't nothing new.  He said his wife won't try anything new.     

Don W4DNR

[Opcom]

The GR connectors are great, if you have a bunch of them. The contact sizes are decent. What is the voltage and current rating on them? My first introduction to them was in a network analyzer the Rohde and Schwarz Polyskop II. It may be old but it has silver plated chassis and a 9" display with analog refreshment. That unit went to 1200MHz, so those connectors must be pretty good.