Visually inspect connectors for general wear, for cleanliness, and for damage such as bent pins or connector rings. Repair or replace damaged connectors immediately. Dirty connectors can limit the accuracy of your measurements. Damaged connectors can damage the instrument. Connection of cables carrying an electrostatic potential, excess power, or excess voltage can damage the connector or the instrument or both. Connection of cables with inadequate torque settings can affect measurement accuracy. Over torquing connectors can damage the cable, the connector, the instrument, or all of these items.
Torque values are written as (for example) 12 lbf · in to 15 lbf · in (1.36 N · m to 1.70 N · m), where “lbf · in” means pounds (force) inches or “inch pounds of force”, and “N · m” means “Newton meters of force”.
Connecting Procedure (for Type‑N and Type‑K)
1. Carefully align the connectors.
The male connector center pin must slip concentrically into the contact fingers of the female connector.
2. Push connectors straight together. Do not twist or screw them together. A slight resistance can usually be felt as the center conductors mate.
3. To tighten, turn the connector nut, not the connector body. Major damage can occur to the center conductor and to the outer conductor if the connector body is twisted.
4. If you use a torque wrench, then initially tighten by hand so that approximately 1/8 turn or 45 degrees of rotation remains for the final tightening with the torque wrench.
Relieve any side pressure on the connection (such as from long or heavy cables) in order to assure consistent torque. Use an open‑end wrench to keep the connector body from turning while tightening with the torque wrench.
Do not over torque the connector.
Disconnecting Procedure
1. If a wrench is needed, then use an open‑end wrench to keep the connector body from turning while loosening with a second wrench.
2. Complete the disconnection by hand, turning only the connector nut.
3. Pull the connectors straight apart without twisting or bending.
The GPS antenna connection on the VNA Master is fitted with an SMA connector. A DC voltage (3.3 V or 5.0 V) is present on this connector to support active GPS antennas. Connect only supported antennas, such as the Anritsu GPS antenna (part number 2000‑1528‑R) to this port.
To prevent damage to your instrument, do not use pliers or a plain wrench to tighten the SMA connector. Do not over tighten the connector. The recommended torque is 8 lbf · in (0.9 N · m or 90 N · cm).
Reference Output, 10 MHz (50 ohm)
This port is present only on MS203xC instrument models. The SMA female connector (see Figure: MS203xC Test Panel Connectors, item 33 ) provides an output to the internally generated 10 MHz reference signal.
To prevent damage to your instrument, do not use pliers or a plain wrench to tighten the SMA connector. Do not over tighten the connector. The recommended torque is 8 lbf · in (0.9 N · m or 90 N · cm).
Spectrum Analyzer RF In (50 ohm)
This port is present only on MS203xC instrument models (see Figure: MS203xC Test Panel Connectors, item 44). It provides the input 50 ohm interface for the Spectrum Analyzer function. Maximum input is + 30 dBm at ± 50 VDC.
To prevent damage to your instrument, do not use pliers or a plain wrench to tighten the Type‑N connector. Do not over tighten the connector. The recommended torque is 12 lbf · in to 15 lbf · in (1.36 N · m to 1.70 N · m).
Type K Connectors (Option 11) for RF In Port
The K connector option configures the VNA Master with K connectors at the Spectrum Analyzer RF In port and at the VNA Ports.
To prevent damage to your instrument, do not use pliers or a plain wrench to tighten the K connector. Do not over tighten the connector. The recommended torque is 8 lbf · in (0.9 N · m or 90 N · cm).