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Everyone swears by the new push-fit coax connectors, but I'm sticking with crimp
I tested both on a 200-foot run in a Denver apartment building, and the crimp connection held a solid 3 dBmV better signal under load. Has anyone else actually measured the difference or are we just following the hype?
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cameron_palmer2mo ago
Three point two dBmV on a Denver apartment run is exactly what I saw last winter. I did a 150 foot drop in a crawlspace with a temperature swing from 20 degrees to 80 and the push-fit connector loosened up in two months. @nelson.michael you're smart to question it - most people don't bust out the meter after a few weeks to check. The real clincher for me was the coax center conductor: crimp gives you that constant pressure against the dielectric, push-fit relies on a friction ring that fatigues. If you're running digital signals especially, that consistent impedance match from a good crimp beats the convenience any day.
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nelson.michael6mo ago
Wait, you actually measured it? I always figured push-fit was the easier, better way to go now. But seeing a real number like 3 dBmV on a long run, that's hard to argue with. Makes me wonder if I've been losing signal on my own setups without even knowing. Maybe the old school crimp method just makes a tighter connection that lasts.
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sanchez.holly6mo ago
Push-fit connectors can get loose over time, especially with temperature changes. A proper crimp creates a solid metal-to-metal contact that won't back off. It's worth the extra minute with the tool for a reliable link.
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