The F connector (also F-type connector) is a coaxial RF connector commonly used for "over the air" terrestrial television, cable television and universally for satellite television and cable modems, usually with RG-6/U cable or with RG-59/U cable.

The F connector was invented by Eric E. Winston in the early 1950s while working for Jerrold Electronics on their development of cable television. In the 1970s, it became commonplace on VHF, and later UHF, television antenna connections in the United States, as coaxial cables replaced twin-lead. It is now specified in IEC 61169-24:2019.

Description

The F connector is an inexpensive, gendered, threaded, compression connector for radio frequency signals. It has good 75 Ω impedance match for frequencies well over 1 GHz

Usage

The cable and satellite television entities (as a near standard practice) use compression fittings with F connectors on customer premises. In Europe, block down-converted satellite signals (950–2150 MHz) from LNBs and DC power and block signalling from satellite receivers are near exclusively passed through F connectors.

Flex F connectors

Push-on (aka Flex) F connectors provide poorer shielding against microwave signals of high field strength. This leakage problem is more an artifact of bent or partly broken push on connectors, but is mostly not observed with compression connectors. Nearby television, FM radio, mobile & cordless phones, government radiolocation (54–1,002 MHz) transmitters can potentially interfere with a CATV or DTH Satellite reception or operation if the Flex connector is poorly installed.

<gallery widths=200 heights=200 perrow=3>

File:Commutateur-diseqc4x1-switch.jpg|F connectors attached to a 4-way DiSEqC switch.

File:Flex Coax Connector F Type.jpg|A visual collection of standard and right-angle coaxial F connectors, a commonly used but less documented form of the F connector.

</gallery>

See also

  • Belling-Lee connector
  • BNC connector
  • Coaxial cable
  • Component video
  • Composite video
  • Diplexer
  • FME connector
  • RCA connector
  • Satellite dish
  • TV aerial plug
  • MCX connector

References

Further reading

  • "F" Port (Female Indoor) Physical Dimensions, ANSI/SCTE 02 2015 (see www.scte.org).
  • Compression Tool for crimping
  • Antenna-cables&connectors