Interconnect between test gear and amplifiers etc

diy didi · 24th September 2012, 12:13 PM

Hi All.
I've just recently revamped my shop. pulled out some of my older test gear to put on the bench.
Just as a matter of interest, how do you guys connect your signal generators and o-scopes with their BNC type connectors, to audio amplifiers with jack inputs? IOW, what type of cabling do I need to make up etc??

DF96 · 24th September 2012, 12:19 PM

Let me think a moment - - - I know, why not make a cable with BNC on one end and RCA (or whatever) on the other end? Have I misunderstood the question?

Ian Finch · 01:17 PM

Whatever suits really, but most obvious would be BNC leads such as old LAN RG60 cables cut to 1m length and fitted with an RCA/cinch plug. This isn't RF so the connection quality isn't critical but mechanical and electrical security is. Where possible, get professional swaged BNC fitted cable. OTOH, if you work with pro. gear you may need to fit phone jacks or balanced line plugs with differential connections yourself. Take the time to make super reliable connections, it's worth it!

If you plan to cover all the bases and have to buy the connectors anyway, just get one pair of BNC(M)/BNC(M) leads and buy the cheap adaptor fittings from your parts stockist that come in almost any fitting match as required, from audio to microwave. Don't forget to also grab a cheap BNC "T" adaptor for your sig. generator so that you can monitor that or any other source simultaneously since the synch. output is not suitable. These redundant parts were everywhere in massive amounts before ethernet superseded them so they may still be cheaply available at recyclers etc.

Note also that some of the Ebay HK stores selling DMMs also carry cheap but good enough accessories like these BNC leads adapted to a few standard fittings such as banana plugs and even binding posts like the type Pomona (US) still markets.

HJWeedon · 24th September 2012, 02:55 PM

Hi

This problem is relatively easy to solve, my solution costs some money though, but I normally order some connector converters several outfits sell those BNC to RCA etc.

Hans J Weedon.

jitter · 24th September 2012, 04:22 PM

Lazy, non-DIY solution: BNC cable on BNC>RCA adaptor.

Mooly · 24th September 2012, 04:28 PM

I use these. Very handy indeed and cheap.

24th September 2012, 12:13 PM	#1
diy didi diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pretoria	Interconnect between test gear and amplifiers etc Hi All. I've just recently revamped my shop. pulled out some of my older test gear to put on the bench. Just as a matter of interest, how do you guys connect your signal generators and o-scopes with their BNC type connectors, to audio amplifiers with jack inputs? IOW, what type of cabling do I need to make up etc??

24th September 2012, 01:14 PM	#3
Ian Finch diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Coffs Harbour, on the east coast	Whatever suits really, but most obvious would be BNC leads such as old LAN RG60 cables cut to 1m length and fitted with an RCA/cinch plug. This isn't RF so the connection quality isn't critical but mechanical and electrical security is. Where possible, get professional swaged BNC fitted cable. OTOH, if you work with pro. gear you may need to fit phone jacks or balanced line plugs with differential connections yourself. Take the time to make super reliable connections, it's worth it! If you plan to cover all the bases and have to buy the connectors anyway, just get one pair of BNC(M)/BNC(M) leads and buy the cheap adaptor fittings from your parts stockist that come in almost any fitting match as required, from audio to microwave. Don't forget to also grab a cheap BNC "T" adaptor for your sig. generator so that you can monitor that or any other source simultaneously since the synch. output is not suitable. These redundant parts were everywhere in massive amounts before ethernet superseded them so they may still be cheaply available at recyclers etc. Note also that some of the Ebay HK stores selling DMMs also carry cheap but good enough accessories like these BNC leads adapted to a few standard fittings such as banana plugs and even binding posts like the type Pomona (US) still markets. __________________ regards Last edited by Ian Finch; 24th September 2012 at 01:17 PM.

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24th September 2012, 12:19 PM	#2
DF96 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	Let me think a moment - - - I know, why not make a cable with BNC on one end and RCA (or whatever) on the other end? Have I misunderstood the question?

24th September 2012, 02:55 PM	#4
HJWeedon diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Hi This problem is relatively easy to solve, my solution costs some money though, but I normally order some connector converters several outfits sell those BNC to RCA etc. Hans J Weedon.