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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>
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>
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>
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>
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