What Is MCX

MCX connector is one kind of coaxial RF connectors which is smaller size than SMB connector about 30 %. MCX connectors were designed in 1980’s and have snap-on coupling mechanism.

MCX connector has 50ohm and 75ohm impedance, and MCX male connector has the outer contact of six slots radically spaced.

MCX connector offers broadband capability up to 6GHz, and has a full range for different coaxial cables, pcb application, panel mount types.

Mechanical Feature:

MCX male

·        Snap-on coupling

·        Outer contact has six slots radically spaced

·        Outer diameter range is 3.66mm ~ 3.76mm

·        Male center contact

·        Insulator nestles up throughout against outer contact and an (air) gap between insulator and center contact for 50 ohm MCX male

·        Insulator nestles against center contact and is not explicitly visible for 75 ohm MCX male

MCX female

·        Snap-on coupling

·        Inner diameter range is 3.43mm ~ 3.48mm for mating

·        Female center contact

·        Insulator surrounds female center contact wholly for 50 ohm MCX female

·        Center contact is standing without insulator surrounded wholly. The insulator is not explicitly visible for 75 ohm MCX female

How to judge MCX connectors’ feature from outline:

MCX connector Male (Plug)

MCX Connector Male (Plug)

MCX male’s diameter is about 3.70mm, and the outer contact has six slots radically spaced for snap-on with MCX female connector.

MCX male / plug connector, 50 ohm V.S. 75 ohm

MCX male / plug connector, 50 ohm V.S. 75 ohm

50 ohm MCX male: Insulator nestles up throughout against outer contact and an (air) gap between insulator and center contact.
75 ohm MCX male: Insulator nestles against center contact and is not explicitly visible.

MCX connector Female (Jack)

MCX connector Female (Jack)

The inner diameter of MCX female connector is about 3.45mm. The center contact is surrounded by insulator wholly.

MCX female / jack connector, 50 ohm V.S. 75 ohm

MCX female / jack connector, 50 ohm V.S. 75 ohm

50 ohm MCX female: Insulator surrounds female center contact wholly.
75 ohm MCX female: Center contact is standing without insulator surrounded wholly. The insulator is not explicitly visible.

MCX connector right angle type:

MCX connector right angle type

The cable entry way or PCB terminated way is at 90 degrees against coupling way.

MCX connector straight type:

MCX connector straight type

The cable entry way and PCB terminated way is horizontal to coupling way.

MCX connector female/ jack bulkhead type:

MCX connector is designed with snap-on coupling mechanism, so the thread on MCX connector will be mounted on panel with washer and nut.
1) Rear mount type bulkhead

MCX connector Rear mount type bulkhead

MCX connector rear mount bulkhead type will go through the panel mounting hole toward the external of device from the internal, and mount it with washer and nut from outside.

2) Front mount type bulkhead

MCX connector Front mount type bulkhead

MCX connector front mount bulkhead type will go through the panel hole toward the internal of device from the external, and mount it with washer and nut from inside.

MCX connector PCB connector:

MCX connector PCB connector

PCB type MCX connector normally has 2.9mm or 3.9mm leg lengths. Four legs and one conductor will go through PCB vertically, and be soldered in rear side of PC board.

MCX female/ jack edge mount (end launch)

MCX female/ jack edge mount (end launch)

MCX connector edge mount type will be mounted with the PCB from board’s edge side

MCX connector SMT type:

MCX connector SMT type

SMT type MCX connector has very short legs from 0.5mm~1.6mm. Legs and conductor will be mounted on PCB’s surface. (Tape-and-reel packing is available per request.)

MCX connector cable connector:

MCX connector cable connector

MCX connector will be terminated with RF coaxial cable by crimping or soldering to be MCX cable or MCX pigtail for RF signal transmission. The most popular is MCX RG174 cable, MCX RG316 cable and MCX RG178 cable assembly.