CB/MIC/avionics connectors from ebay - what's the brand name version? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 03:03:20 pm
content: I think we all know those connectors. They are used in CB radios, often in "eastern made" soldering equipment (eg. Xytronic). They come in varieties between 2 and 9 pins and in two sizes (normal and mini). They look like thishttp://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20160706065917&SearchText=cb+mic+connectorI can buy them by trockloads on ebay, but I need to find them from a brand name manufacturer and they need to fit in the same holes in the front panel of the product (panels are already made, modification is hardly an option). Does anyone know what was the original part chinese have cloned?

author: elecman14
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 03:44:37 pm
content: I also believe Amphenol 91 series might work for your application. They are not cheap but really well made.You could also see if Philmore Datak might also be a source. From what I have heard they may not be importing them anymore but it might be worth a check.http://www.philmore-datak.com/mc/Page%2054.pdf

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 06:21:25 pm
content: Sadly, this is not an option. I need something that has identical dimensions as those chinese connectors, just higher quality.

author: Kilrah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 06:24:32 pm
content: i've never seen a close equivalent.To me they inspired themselves from a DIN connector, said "we need to add screw lock" and came up with that without copying an actual design with implied compatibility...You can find some locking DINs but they're usually with a quarter-turn lock instead of a multi turn (which is a meh idea) and OTOH not the same dimensions.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 08:00:16 pm
content: http://www.philmore-datak.com/mc/Page%2054.pdfEdit sorry, link already mentioned.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 08:24:08 pm
content: These are not likely inspired by DIN ("MIDI") connectors. The microphone plugs were originally made by Foster in Japan, patented sometime in 1950s or so.You can get some brand name ones here:http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/parts/micconn.htmlAlso good info here:http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php?topic=92727.0

author: TJ232
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2016, 04:16:35 am
content: I have used with good results some similar ones from here:http://www.cliffuk.co.uk/products/cliffcon/zc.htmPlug Part Numbers:2 pole FC6842123 pole FC6842134 pole FC6842145 pole FC6842156 pole FC6842167 pole FC6842178 pole FC68421890° Plug Part Numbers:2 pole FC684222R3 pole FC684223R4 pole FC684224R5 pole FC684225R6 pole FC684226R7 pole FC684227R8 pole FC684228RSocket Part Numbers:2 pole FC6842023 pole FC6842034 pole FC6842045 pole FC6842056 pole FC6842067 pole FC6842078 pole FC684208Datasheet:Cliffcon Miniature ZC Series Connectors

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2016, 05:19:31 am
content: @TJ232:this looks very good. Cliff only has one size, whereas there are "normal" and "miniature" versions of the chinese stuff floating around.I guess I will order a few of those from cliff and compare the build quality against stuff from Ebay/Allegro/Aliexpress/etc.Seems, like TME has some of those on stock.My goal is to find something that looks as identical as possible to chinese connectors, but is far more durable and far higher quality (the equipment into which that goes is pretty expensive, somebody made a bad call of installing cheap-ass connectors in this and we have a problem..., it's just bad PR)

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2016, 05:59:44 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on July 07, 2016, 05:46:43 amSomewhat ironic too, I've never seen these connectors used in aviation. Proper Amphenol ones, yes, but not these.