Electronics > RF, Microwave, Ham Radio

BNC connector as rotary joint

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CopperCone:
I want to mechanize my loop antenna. This means putting it on a platform that can be rotated remotely.

I was going to put it on a bearing, and rotate it using a belt.

I noticed that you can rotate BNC connectors. I am aware of designed for the job rotary joints, but i am wondering how a simple BNC connector will hold up to the task. It seems OK so long this is not spinning all day for days on end, but I would like opinions.

W9GFO:
I am sure it would work in the short term, but would probably cause trouble later on. Is it important that it be able to rotate continuously? If not then I wouldn't bother, just make sure that you have a way to keep track of rotations so that you don't wind up the cable. You also have the added difficulty of needing to mount the BNC "slip ring" coaxially with the bearing.

T3sl4co1l:
I wouldn't think it would be good for more than the low hundreds of rotations.

Tim

edpalmer42:
All it would take is for one of the outer conductor 'fingers' to get caught on something and the entire connector would be shredded.  I wouldn't even consider it for a test.

Ed

ericj:
If it is acting as a thrust bearing for the weight of the antenna, and the only support, the connector is not very substantial and will eventually fail (as everything does). It probably isn't going to take side loads from winds very well.

But all this is conjecture. Try it. You'll learn a couple of things. The connector will or will not be satisfactory. You'll know better what the problem is which will lead to a more satisfactory solution. If you destroy a $1 BNC connector in the process, who cares?

Pack it full of grease. Figure a way to put a dust cap over it. Protect it from direct weather (rain, etc). See what happens. Nobody experiments with things we already know.

Eric KE6US

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