Talk:SMA connector

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SMA should be an article in itself. Scott 19:05:23, 2005-09-07 (UTC)

Why? Light current 19:06, 7 September 2005 (UTC)

Why is there a reference to particle accelerators in the first paragraph? SMA connectors are used in mass numbers for other much more mundane things too. 24.59.193.0 14:52, 25 May 2006 (UTC). I took it away sincer it was only confusing. saved here for future recalls: "The SMA connector is frequently used in mass numbers in particle accelerators. The connector is used in conjunction with Heliax cable as a connector for X and Y in Particle beam diagnostics, after Quadrupole magnets. The AC feedback signal, X and Y are fed through four SMA connectors from the beam position monitor to the beam monitor instrumentation."

Contents

[edit] Reverse Polarity

The description of reverse-polarity SMA connectors contradicts the images. The top image of a standard SMA connector shows a male connector (with a pin rather than a socket in the centre). The bottom photograph, according to its caption, shows a male RP-SMA connector, which has a pin and a different housing from the ordinary male SMA connector. But the text states that male SMA and RP-SMA connectors differ by their centre contact, not their housing, and that a male RP-SMA connector has a receptacle (socket) in the centre. Does anyone know which is right, the caption or the text? Please correct the article if you do. 212.126.219.114 07:37, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

  • The article is correct, but it is missing one important piece of information. It is not enough to specify, for example, "SMA Female connector". Male/Female refers to the centre Pin/Socket. i.e. Pin for Male, Socket for Female. But you also have to specify whether you are talking about a Plug or a Jack. A Plug has the thread on the inner surface, while a Jack has the thread on the outer surface.
  • The 'reverse polarity' term is a misnomer and leads to a lot of confusion. We cannot change the term as it is already widespread, but the misnomer nature needs to be pointed out as it confuses RF engineers who are not from the WiFi trade as well as people with electronic background. A more correct term would have been 'reverse gender'.
  • It should perhaps also be pointed out that Male/Female always refers to the pin in every other connector standard in the world, but with the article's 'reverse polarity SMA' explanation, Male refers to the plug, not to the pin.
  • "Standard-Polarity" SMA specifies that Plugs are Male and Jacks are Female.
  • "Reverse-Polarity" SMA specifies the opposite: Plugs are Female and Jacks are Male.
So the top image shows a (standard polarity) SMA Plug (with centre pin), and it is captioned correctly. The lower image shows a Reverse-Polarity SMA Jack (with centre pin). It is captioned correctly, except that the word Jack is omitted.
BenKinsella 17:04, 29 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Tool

Why is there a reference to the "Snap-On" tool company on this page? The tool company has no relationship to an RF connector that can be pushed on and pulled off without turning a nut.

Agreed. I removed the link Amram99 24 Oct 2006 (UTC)

Could it be that, as I have noted below, a torque spanner should be used to tighten the SMA connector especially when used at microwave frequencies? --jmb 09:30, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Thread Size

Could someone add the thread size for a female SMA connector? I'm trying to find a nut to hold one in place on an aircraft panel.

[edit] Microwave

It offers excellent electrical performance from DC to 18 GHz.

Can this be expanded to say that there are SMA connectors for use above 18 GHz. Also when used at microwave frequencies a torque spanner should be used to tighten the connector. --jmb 09:30, 6 March 2007 (UTC)

Those connectors are not standard SMA. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.94.166.154 (talk) 17:24, 1 April 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Most popular?

"SMA and precision SMA-like connectors are by far the most popular coaxial connector, though by modern standards, their performance and durability are somewhat limited."

Shouldn't that read "the most popular sub-miniature coaxial connector"? --jmb 09:15, 17 June 2007 (UTC)