A BNC is a “quick connect/disconnect” coaxial cable connector (see Figure 1). Unlike common PL-259 or male N connectors that require several rotations of their shells to secure them, a BNC latches with a single twist. According to Press “The Wireman” Jones, N8UG, “BNC” is an abbreviation for “Bayonet Neill Concelman.” The word “bayonet” refers to the connector’s style and Paul Neill and Carl Concelman were Bell Labs engineers who developed it. BNC connectors can be used well into the microwave range and can tolerate as much as 500 V peak-to-peak.
Figure 1—A typical BNC connector.
From QST March 1999
