What are these connectors formally called? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: LukeW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 12:13:08 am
content: What are they called, who makes them, and can anyone find them at Digikey/Mouser etc?"CB microphone" connectors, in 4pin/2pin/etc. Like the following:http://www.americanradiosupply.com/2-pin-ham-cb-radio-microphone-connector-mic-plug/

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 12:23:54 am
content: Quote from: LukeW on October 28, 2016, 12:13:08 ameBay calls them aviation connectors. Not sure where this name actually comes from.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 12:35:42 am
content: The original connectors were made by Amphenol, but they sold the plant and tooling in the 1980s and they were scrapped thereafter. Most of the 1970s CB radios, etc. would have used Japanese connectors which were a copy of that design. After the 2011 earthquake, Japan manufacture of the "multi-pin mobile connectors" was discontinued; they are still being made in Taiwan or the mainland. Searching "Multi-Pin Mobile Connector" will show many vendors, but I'm not aware of sources through mainstream distributors.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 12:37:27 am
content: Quote from: helius on October 28, 2016, 12:35:42 amMust be why I always called these amphenol connectors

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 01:19:13 am
content: GX16-216 mm diameter 2 pinshttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/GX16-2-pins-16mm-aviation-connector-female-plug-male-socket/32298945678.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.48.KNKVfm&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3,searchweb201603_8&btsid=95e83107-e5e0-4c5d-88e2-2a7d0f3272cf

author: Bill158
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 02:32:35 pm
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on October 28, 2016, 12:37:27 amI have seen these used in some audio applications such as a connector on a microphone in place of the Cannon XLR and I also called them Amphenol. Nice to see that the term is used by others. Brought back a lot of memories from when I worked as a AV Technician in college.Bill

author: Skashkash
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 03:14:16 pm
content: Back in the 80's (and to this day) we always called them "CB" connectors. Acknowledging their original popular usage. But we used them for everything but CB radios.All the way up to 8 pins. we called them out on the BOMs as CB-4F, CB-5F, ... etc connectors.But I don't think they ever had an official part number designation.I was never fond of them, but it was hard to find a common cheap locking multipin connector with a strain relief.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 03:14:45 pm
content: Amphenol is the worst possible nameAmphenol is a company that makes thousands of different connectors, including this one, but that name will not define the connectorHere only a fewhttp://www.mouser.com/Amphenol/Connectors/Modular-Connectors-Ethernet-Connectors/_/N-wos3?P=1z0zp68

author: dom0
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 04:56:09 pm
content: Quote from: ebclr on October 28, 2016, 03:14:45 pmThere's always someone calling some specific connector "the" Amp(henol) or "the" Molex. Also: "the" Harting (although that one is usually only used for a couple of similar series - still thousands (if not more) of variations).

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 08:28:08 pm
content: 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: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2016, 08:32:07 pm
content: Quote from: ataradov on October 28, 2016, 12:23:54 amThe name most likely comes from the fact that these are common connectors for radio microphones.