RP-TNC to RP-SMA:

RP-TNC Connectors: Description, Brief History, and Applications

RP-TNC connectors are a reversed gender polarity variant of TNC. In the normal TNC connector, the male plug has a centered pin that inserts into a female jack’s receptacle at coupling. In reverse polarity the female has the centered pin and the male has the said receptacle. The reversed and standard connectors are not inter-compatible, but the performance, mating mechanism and electrical ratings are the same.

The TNC (Threaded Neill–Concelman) is a threaded miniature coaxial connector for bandwidths frequencies between 0 – 11 GHz from DC, operating at a 50 Ohms impedance. Developed in the late 1950s.

The male TNC plug has internal threading that securely couple with the female’s external threading. The coupling is vibration resistant and waterproof. a variety of coaxial cables including LMR-100, LMR-200, PE-C200, RG174 and RG316, terminate into the connectors via crimping, clamping or soldering. Male connectors are available in angled and straight plugs, female plugs are also available for panel and surface mounts.

RP TNC were not very popular and readily available. They were used on industrial grade antennas and equipment to prevent domestic consumers from fitting High-Gain antennas which would violate local regulations such as those set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Domestic consumer products were fitted with standard TNC connectors. The FCC accepted the RP TNC as enough a measure to keep users from fitting High-Gain antennas by regulating the connector’s availability and use. By the year 2000, the FCC regarded the RP TNC as readily available for consumers.

Since the availability of RP TNC is today at the consumer level, several applications have popularized its use.

The list includes common uses of RP TNC connectors.