UHF Connector & Adapters

A UHF connector is a 50 Ω coaxial interface with threaded, 5/8-24 unef.

The most common application area is HF and VHF amateur radio stations.

This page covers the interface, one reference specification, every interface in our range a UHF connector can be adapted to, and the cable families we pair with it.

Overview

Overview

At a glance

Parameter	Specification
Interface	UHF
Impedance	50 Ω
Coupling	Threaded, 5/8-24 UNEF
Interface frequency class	Historically a low-frequency interface rather than a modern UHF one, so read the name as a design lineage and not as a band label. The reference part quoted below is rated 0–4 GHz (factory nominal).
Gender	Male (centre pin) / Female (centre socket)
Body styles	Straight, right-angle, bulkhead, panel and clamp bodies
Interface standard	MIL-STD-348 / IEC 61169 series
Performance data	Full datasheet on request

Representative specification

The figures below are a reference point for the series. They belong to one part – UHF male connector for 1/2 in cable – and are nominal factory values, not measured values. Other parts in the series differ.

Item	Value
Reference part	UHF male connector for 1/2 in cable
Drawing number	Available on request
Revision	Current revision

Electrical

Parameter	Value
Impedance	50 Ω
Frequency range	0–4 GHz (factory nominal)
VSWR (straight)	≤ 1.25
Withstand voltage	2000 V rms
Working voltage	750 V
Contact resistance – centre	≤ 5 mΩ
Contact resistance – outer	≤ 5 mΩ
Insulation resistance	≥ 5000 MΩ

Mechanical and environmental

Parameter	Value
Temperature range	-40 °C to +85 °C
Durability	> 500 matings

Material and plating

Part	Base material	Plating
Body	Brass	Silver plated
Centre conductor	Brass	Gold plated
Insulator	PTFE	—

Source: WorldPeak factory specification sheet (nominal values, not measured). Interface capabilities quoted here describe the connector standard, not the performance of any particular part.

Compatibility and adapters

A UHF connector joins to almost every other interface we make. Which adapter you need depends on whether both ends sit in the same impedance system, which interface sets the frequency ceiling, and whether the joint is made on a rigid adapter or a pre-made pigtail. All 28 other interfaces are listed below.

⛔ PL-259 (UHF) and N-type share a 5/8-24 thread. The thread engages, the interface geometry does not match, and forcing them together damages the centre contact. Use an N male to UHF female (SO-239) adapter.

Adapter matrix – UHF to every interface in our range

Interface	Verdict	Adapter required	Typical use
BNC	✅ Direct	BNC	Test, video, lab
HN type	✅ Direct	HN type	High-voltage RF
LC coaxial	✅ Direct	LC coaxial	Legacy broadcast
N-type	⛔ Do not force	N male to UHF female (SO-239)	Base station / antenna
SC coaxial	✅ Direct	SC coaxial	Legacy industrial RF
TNC	✅ Direct	TNC	Vehicle / marine radio
10-32	✅ Direct	10-32	Compact panels
BMA	✅ Direct	BMA	Rack blind-mate / ATE
MCX	✅ Direct	MCX	GPS / wireless module
NEX-10	✅ Direct	NEX-10	5G small cell
QMA	✅ Direct	QMA	Dense RRU panels
SMA	✅ Direct	SMA	Test, Wi-Fi, GPS
SMB	✅ Direct	SMB	Rack / panel wiring
SMC	✅ Direct	SMC	Instrument panels
SMP	✅ Direct	SMP	Board-to-board blind mate
SSMA	✅ Direct	SSMA	Microwave modules
FME	✅ Direct	FME	Mobile antenna pigtail
4.3-10	✅ Direct	4.3-10	5G / 4G antenna port
7/16 DIN	✅ Direct	7/16 DIN	Macro site / broadcast
1-5/8 EIA	✅ Direct	Flange to 1-5/8 EIA	High-power feeder
3-1/8 EIA	✅ Direct	Flange to 3-1/8 EIA	High-power HF feeder
7/8 EIA	✅ Direct	Flange to 7/8 EIA	Base station feeder
CRC9	⚠️ Conditions	Pre-made pigtail	Cellular dongle
TS9	⚠️ Conditions	Pre-made pigtail	Cellular modem
U.FL/IPEX	⚠️ Conditions	Pre-made pigtail	Wi-Fi / LTE module
1.0/2.3 (75 Ω)	⚠️ Conditions	50/75 Ω matching pad	Central office / DSL
1.6/5.6 (75 Ω)	⚠️ Conditions	50/75 Ω matching pad	Telecom 75 ohm
F-type (75 Ω)	⚠️ Conditions	50/75 Ω matching pad	CATV / satellite

Frequency rule for UHF: the lower-rated interface wins, then the adapter caps it again. On a medium-size line the practical ceiling is often set by the cable rather than by either connector, so send us the band and the cable and we will confirm which end limits it.

Direct: 21 interfaces. With conditions: 6. Do not force: N-type.

Recommended coaxial cable

The cable sets the loss, the bend radius and the termination method. These are the families we normally pair with a UHF connector.

Cable family	Typical use
1/2 in cable	Antenna feeders on amateur and land-mobile installations
RG8 / RG213 class	Classic HF and VHF station wiring
RG58	Short flexible leads to transceivers and tuners
LMR240	Compact low-loss jumpers where a PL-259 body is needed

Installation and handling notes

Wrap self-amalgamating tape from the cable up onto the body. Tape laid the other way funnels water into the joint.
Log torque and date on every outdoor joint. It is the only way to tell a maintenance problem from a design problem later.
Keep the bend radius above the figure for the cable, not the figure for the body. The cable usually fails before the joint does.
Support the weight of the run. A joint that carries the load will loosen, whatever the coupling type.
Clamp bodies rely on the gasket, not on torque. Seat the gasket dry, then tighten the gland evenly in two passes.
Prepare the cable end square. An over-long dielectric on a feeder joint shows up as a return-loss spike at the top of the band.

Typical applications

HF and VHF amateur radio stations
CB radio installations
Marine and land-mobile radio
Scanner and receiver antenna feeds
Legacy equipment where the SO-239 chassis socket is already fitted

Common mistakes to avoid

Threading a PL-259 onto an N-type connector because both use a 5/8-24 thread. The interface does not match and the centre contact is usually damaged.
Assuming the UHF name means the connector suits UHF bands. It is a historical name for a design that predates modern UHF work.
Expecting low VSWR at high frequency – check the band you actually need.

Naming and terminology

This interface also appears on drawings as PL-259 or SO-239 – same interface, same series. Slash and hyphen spellings are interchangeable throughout our range. Send the drawing as it stands and we will confirm the UHF item against it.

Related interfaces

BNC connectors - Test, video, lab
HN type connectors - High-voltage RF
LC coaxial connectors - Legacy broadcast
N-type connectors - Base station / antenna

Why WorldPeak

WorldPeak (Zhenjiang WorldPeak Communication Co., Ltd.) builds medium-size coaxial interfaces for outdoor, vehicle and equipment-room work. We make the connector and terminate the cable, so the assembly arrives matched to the cable you already use.

This series is one of 29 we make. The interfaces most often paired with it are BNC, HN type, LC coaxial and SC coaxial.

One supplier for the whole chain - interfaces, adapters, jumper assemblies, coaxial cable, lightning arresters, antennas and accessories.
Every series on our list is made in-house, so a quotation is built around your interface and cable combination rather than a catalogue number.
OEM / ODM support - custom interfaces and assemblies for outdoor and vehicle installations, your part number and packaging.
Quality and compliance - CE and RoHS. Interface dimensions follow the MIL-STD-348 / IEC 61169 series.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What does a UHF connector adapt to?

A. 21 interfaces directly and 6 with a condition (a matching pad, a flange chain or a pre-made pigtail). See the matrix above.

Q. Which cable should I use with a UHF connector?

A. Start with 1/2 in - antenna feeders on amateur and land-mobile installations As an alternative, RG8 / RG213 class suits classic HF and VHF station wiring

Q. Why is a UHF connector not used at UHF frequencies?

A. The name is historical. The PL-259 / SO-239 design predates modern UHF work and behaves as a low-frequency interface. Tell us the band and we will confirm suitability.

Next step

Send us the two interfaces you need to join, the cable you are using and the frequency band. We will confirm the right UHF part, adapter or assembly and send the specification sheet for that exact part.

Request a quotation or a datasheet - OEM and ODM enquiries welcome.

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