Sorry for late comments. Consider the following for EASY & RELIABLE PL-259
connections.
PL-259 Connector Selection:
If using PL-259s, consider using those with Teflon insulator which are
COMPLETELY (NOT just the pin) gold plated... pin, plug, and shell. They
will not oxidize like silver will. They also solder WAY more easily than
silver will.
Stripper:
Get a stripper that removes outer jacket, shield, and dielectric at same
time. Experimentation with coax to be used will get a repeatable strip
every time.
Attaching connector:
Slide on shell then SCREW the body onto the coax - internal threads should
engage outer jacket. Using the right stripper correctly sets this
dimension.
Soldering:
Sears sells a soldering iron/gun - looks like a cross between an iron
mounted in a gun configuration. About $60. Heats quickly and has good
thermal mass, both are critical to prevent melting of dielectric. Support
coax in a smooth jawed vise (DON'T crush coax!). Solder two holes first,
doing only 2 adjacent holes at a time. Then move to other cable end &
repeat, letting first end cool. Return to first end and do two remaining
holes; repeat for other end. Return to first end, trim center conductor to
end of pin and solder; repeat other end.
Inspection:
Using a 0.020 inch thick saw blade I have cut apart the shell (lengthwise
from tip towards coax) and inspected soldering of body to braid, and find
the above provides consistent, repeatable, quality connections. Slicing the
pin lengthwise has shown same results.
The right tools makes the job so much easier, faster, and enjoyable.
Regards, Bill K1UQ
ps -
Coax:
Bury-Flex coax is ALL I use now. This stuff is the easiest to work with -
i.e. strip and solder. The dielectric and jacket are WAY easier to work
with!!
-----Original Message-----
From: David Robbins K1TTT [mailto:k1ttt@arrl.net]
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 5:19 PM
To: YCCC; reflector cq-contest; reflector -tower; antennas@qth.net
Subject: [YCCC] coax cables summary
Thanks to everyone for their inputs on sources for custom made cables,
I'm sure they will be some help for me. I also hope that others can
make use of the various suggestions for installing pl-259's and other
types of connectors.
The sources that I got were(most frequently recommended ones first):
Cable Experts http://www.cablexperts.com
Davis RF http://www.davisrf.com
The RF Connection www.therfc.com
Radio Warehouse www.radio-warehouse.com
The Wireman http://www.thewireman.com/
ComTek http://www.comteksystems.com
Universal Radio http://www.universal-radio.com/
Pasternack Enterprises www.pasternack.com
I also had two individuals volunteer.
Now I have to figure out all the lengths and decide out who I want to do
it.
David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt@arrl.net
web: http://www.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net
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