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[Amps] PL-259 and SO-239 cable attachments

To: Amplifier Mailing List <>
Subject: [Amps] PL-259 and SO-239 cable attachments
From: Gene May <>
Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 16:55:44 -0400
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This is a semi-new thread, branching off the discussion related to cable 
connections that started on "Tubes vs. Solid State" then went on to "Soldering 
vs. Crimping":
I hope it isn't too stupid a question, but I have been long curious as to why 
there is a different convention and custom as related to RF cable and the 
connectors used on them vs. the male and female connectors used on AC power 
connections.  In the case of AC power cables, for reasons of common sense, 
safety and the National Electric Code, the male connectors go onto the "power 
using" loads or sinks, and the female connectors are on the AC power sources.  
Obviously, it would be a bad idea to have the protruding bare metal prongs on 
male connectors "hot" with 115 VAC (unless one is trying to reduce the circle 
of one's acquaintences), so the "hot" leads are and should be in female 
sockets.  However, RF cables seem to have PL-259s on both ends, and the devices 
to which they are attached seem to have SO-239s, with the corresponding 
opportunity to touch a "hot" center prong, as well as the chance for reversing 
what should be the inputs and output on the device.  Am I the only reader of th
 is that has a bag of barrel connectors, and occasionally gets annoyed at 
having to use them, when the AC power convention works so well?
I know that SO239s do not have their metal connection "buried" as deeply inside 
as female 115 VAC power sockets do, so don't furnish as much protection from 
contact with a "hot" lead.  Still, how and/or why did we depart from the power 
cord convention, when it would at least provide some visual warning of a "hot" 
Gene May
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