I have used a combination approach. A 100 what gun
with the PL-259 resting on the hot gun tip and a
Weller butane at the hole for localized heat.
Going the other direction - What are the potential
consequences of NOT soldering the connector to the
shield? I have two non-soldered connectors in service
now with no problems so far. Both are in fixed
service, zero coax movement.
--- Mahlon Haunschild <mahlonhaunschild@cox.net>
wrote:
> Tom,
>
> Wussy irons like you describe will do what you
> describe: melt the cable
> without making a good solder connection to the
> connector. I used to use
> a Weller 200/240-watt soldering gun for PL-259
> shells, but not even that
> beast put out enough heat. These days I use a
> butane mini-torch. Much
> lighter and therefore easier to control.
>
> More heat is better than less in this case, at least
> in my experience.
> The idea is to get the "hole area" of the connector
> hot enough quickly
> enough so that you can solder the braid to the
> connector shell quickly
> enough that the jacket/dielectric (esp. foam
> dielectric) doesn't have
> enough time to melt. Use a mini-vise to hold the
> cable to position the
> connector so you can solder two holes with one
> set-up.
>
> OK, you caught me at a weak moment: here follows my
> mystical PL-259
> installation procedure, developed painstakingly over
> a LONG period of
> time: Strip jacket/braid/dielectric CORRECTLY.
> Flux the braid with a
> small amount of GOOD flux (not that Rat Shack crap;
> I use strain gauge
> flux). Tin the braid with a soldering iron; use
> only enough solder to
> do the job, excess will prevent installation of the
> connector. Cool the
> cable/braid w/damp rag. Double-check the end to
> ensure that no stray
> braid strands are where they shouldn't be. Flux the
> braid again. Screw
> connector onto cable. Place connector into vise
> with the cable wound up
> 1/2 turn. Heat w/torch and solder holes 1 & 2.
> Release vise; the cable
> will by itself position for holes 3 & 4. Heat
> w/torch and solder holes
> 3 and 4. IMMEDIATELY quench the connector with the
> damp rag.
>
> Using this method, I have not had a connector
> failure in something like
> 18 years.
>
> 5 cents, please. I accept PayPal.
>
> Oh, by the way: results not guaranteed on vinyl
> cable jackets (but
> surely you don't have any of that, do you?).
>
> regards,
>
> Mahlon - K4OQ
>
> Tom Anderson wrote:
> > Fellow Tower Talkians:
> >
> > Any suggestions for a high wattage soldering iron
> good for using on
> > PL259s (100 watts or so??)? Most of the 25-40
> watt irons found in the
> > mass hardware places (Home Depot/Lowes) seem to
> melt more die-electric
> > than solder. Anyone use/have any luck with opne
> of those Sears 100/400
> > watt soldering gun?
> >
> > Tom, WW5L
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting
> Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's
> more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk@contesting.com
>
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing.
http://photos.yahoo.com/
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|