What This Ferrule Does in the Coaxicon Build
The TE Connectivity 9-328666-3 is a silver-plated copper alloy ferrule from the Coaxicon series, designed as the crimp anchor for RG-174, RG-179A, RG-187, and RG-188 coaxial cables. It is the mechanical backbone of the connector assembly — the ferrule compresses over the cable jacket and braid to secure the connector body, not the centre conductor. This is an accessory, not a connector half; it completes the cable-end termination when paired with the matching Coaxicon plug or jack.
Cable Fit — What the Compatibility List Tells You
The 9-328666-3 is listed for use with RG-174, RG-179A, RG-187, and RG-188 cables. These are all small-diameter 50-ohm coax types sharing a similar jacket OD and braid coverage — RG-174 at about 2.5 mm OD, RG-179A at about 2.6 mm. The ferrule ID and crimp die are sized for that range. If you are terminating a cable outside that group — say RG-58 or LMR-200 — the ferrule will not grip the jacket properly and the connector will pull off under tension. Match the cable type exactly; the ferrule is not a universal fit.