Peter,
I use crimp connectors a lot and have not had any problems like this.
I looks like the crimp was not tight enough which is most likely from
either the wrong die, not enough pressure or crimping too far behind the
head of the connector.
I can bring the crimper I use to the next meeting for you to take a look
at if you like.
Les W2LK
On 2/12/2011 1:11 PM, Peter Dougherty wrote:
> The copper shield itself isn't visible in the shot, but it's under the
> ferrule that's pulled back. That knurled portion behind the barrel of the
> white heat-shrunk PL-259 (between the heat shrink and the part you rotate
> onto the SO-239) should not be visible. That knurled bit should have copper
> shield and crimped ferrule over top of it (and optional heat-shrink). The
> "Amp Out" connector (below it) isn't in clear focus in that shot, but it's
> still good. The "failed" one hasn't failed completely, the centre is still
> soldered in and the electrical connections are solid (it's the lead down
> from the tower). I haven't gotten around to replacing it yet but when I get
> some time that's high on the priorities list, assuming there's any slack
> left in the basement - it's pretty snug right now.
>
>
> ------
>
> - pjd
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim W7RY
> Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 12:10 PM
> To: Peter Dougherty; 'Michael W5NIG'; towertalk@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
>
> I see a connector covered with heatshrink and no shield pulling away. ????
>
> Jim W7RY
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Peter Dougherty"<w2irt@verizon.net>
> Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 8:36 AM
> To: "'Michael W5NIG'"<tower@coffeepower.net>;<towertalk@contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
>
>> Here are two photos of what I mean by crimp-on PL-259s failing.
>>
>>
> http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/W2IRT/Towers%20and%20Antennas/?acti
>> on=view¤t=Crimp-fail-1.jpg
>>
> http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/W2IRT/Towers%20and%20Antennas/?acti
>> on=view¤t=Crimp-fail-3.jpg
>>
>> You can see the braid/ferrule has pulled back from the main part of the
>> connector. When installed this was flush against the body of the
>> connector.
>> Eventually this will pull right off. If I hadn't soldered the center
>> conductor in (some are intended to just crimp on) the coax would pull
>> right
>> out of the connector. When, in the middle of CQWW 2009, my 160 TX antenna
>> had failed I went outside and found the coax laying on the sodden ground
>> having failed exactly in that manner.
>>
>> After the contest was over I pulled somewhat-gently on every coax sticking
>> down from the Ameritron antenna switchbox and two more pulled apart. At
>> that
>> point I still trusted the connectors, but I insisted on soldering the
>> centers after that. When more failed inside the shack, on patch cables,
>> etc,
>> I gave up and went back to solder-only.
>>
>>
>> ------
>>
>> - pjd
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
>> [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Michael W5NIG
>> Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2011 9:17 AM
>> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259 et al
>>
>> ***Quote***
>> Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:39:52 -0500
>> From: "Peter Dougherty"<w2irt@verizon.net>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Crimp-on PL259
>> To:<nf4l@nf4l.com>, "'towertalk reflector'"
>> <towertalk@contesting.com>
>> Message-ID:<018401cbca3c$99d3e380$cd7baa80$@net>
>>
>> Mike, I have to say my experiences with crimp-on connectors has ranged
>> from
>> convenient to catastrophic failure, with the latter being commonplace. I'd
>> say about 75% of the crimp connectors have failed within the three years
>> they've been installed, both inside and outside. Once any stress goes on
>> the
>> cable (just gravity for the most part), it's just been a matter of time
>> before it fails in my experience. I'm using connectors from The RF
>> Connection as well as the crimp tool they provided and I use a cable-prep
>> tool from DX Engineering. This summer all my remaining crimp-on connectors
>> will be cut off and new solder-type (inside) and clamp-type connectors
>> (outside) will go on instead. I'm quite intrigued about this new clamp
>> type
>> and I'd personally like to get more first-hand experiences before
>> shotgunning out all the existing connectors.
>>
>> ***UnQuote***
>>
>> Very interesting! I've been using a coax prep tool for quite a while
>> now,
>> it's a
>> love/hate relationship, hi hi. works well though, all in all. I just
>> bought a crimp
>> tool with the extra set of jaws at the last hamfest that I attended. I
>> haven't had
>> opportunity yet to us one on regular rg8 or 213 but have had the pleasure
>> of
>>
>> installing
>> a few on 8x. I've got to say Im impressed with it in that capacity! good
>> compression
>> on the shield and great tension on the jacket. Usually the thing is
>> subject
>>
>> to twisting
>> etc and if the coax is moving a lot I eventually might have issues with
>> it.
>> I"ll be testing
>> it on 8/213 coax at easy to get to places to see how it goes when I get
>> back
>>
>> on my tower
>> project!
>>
>> Michael de W5NIG
>>
>>
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