What is an MCX Connector?

MCX connector is a type of coaxial RF connector that is about 30% smaller in size than the SMB connector. MCX connectors were designed in the 1980s and have a snap-on coupling mechanism.

The MCX connector has both 50-ohm and 75-ohm impedance options. The MCX male connector has an outer contact with six slots radially spaced.

The MCX connector offers broadband capability up to 6GHz for 50ohm and is available in a full range for different coaxial cables, PCB applications, and panel mount types.

Mechanical Feature:

MCX male

  1. Snap-on coupling.
  2. Outer contact has six slots radically spaced.
  3. Outer diameter range is 3.66mm to 3.76mm.
  4. Male center contact.
  5. 50-ohm MCX male: Insulator nestles up throughout against outer contact and an air gap between the insulator and center contact.
  6. 75-ohm MCX male: Insulator nestles against the center contact and is not explicitly visible.

MCX female

  1. Snap-on coupling.
  2. Inner diameter range is 43mm to 3.48mm for mating.
  3. Female center contact.
  4. 50 ohm MCX female: Insulator completely surrounds the female center contact.
  5. 75 ohm MCX female: Center contact stands without be completely surrounded by the insulator. The insulator is not explicitly visible.

How to judge MCX connectors’ feature from outline:

MCX connector – Male/Plug

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

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

50 ohm MCX male: The Insulator nestles up throughout against outer contact and an air gap between the insulator and center contact.

75 ohm MCX male: Insulator nestles against the center contact and is not explicitly visible.

MCX connector – female/ jack

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

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

The cable entry or PCB termination is at 90 degrees to the coupling direction.

MCX connector straight type

The cable entry or PCB termination is at 180 degrees to the coupling direction.

MCX connector female/jack bulkhead type

MCX connector is designed with snap-on mechanism, so the thread on the MCX connector definitely is for bulkhead mounting purpose.

Rear mount type bulkhead
The MCX connector bulkhead type will go through the panel mounting hole from the inside of the device to the outside and is mounted with a washer and nut from the outside.

Front mount type bulkhead
The MCX connector bulkhead type will go through the panel hole from the outside of the device to the inside and is mounted with a washer and nut from the inside.

MCX connector PCB connector

PCB type MCX connectors normally have leg lengths of 3.9mm. Four legs and one conductor go through the PCB vertically and are soldered on the rear side of the PCB.

MCX female/jack edge mount

An MCX edge mount type connector will be mounted on the PCB from the board's edge.

MCX connector SMT type

SMT (Surface Mount Technology) type MCX connectors have very short legs ranging from 0.5mm to 1.6mm. These legs and the conductor will be mounted directly on the surface of the PCB. (Tape reel packing option is available per requests.)