[Amps] Alpha 87A Won't Transmit

[Jerry Stern]

Maybe I missed something but I’m surprised no one has mentioned high quality crimp connectors like TIMES N connectors.  Fast, easy, and mine have kept the same low SWR operating QRO for more than a decade.   Why struggle with soldering outdoors at all?  If one fails finally, lot easier to snip it off and put on a new crimp connector in few minutes even when snowing outside.  


Jerry NY2KW

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 10, 2021, at 5:55 AM, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Some of the tricks and techniques I've been reading here such as using
> a torch, filing the barrel, and enlarging the braid holes, indicate a
> misunderstanding about how heat should be applied.
> I tried some of those methods too before I figured it out.  Firstly,
> you need a decent i.e. Amphenol male, and copper braid and center
> conductor.  Dress the cable so the center and braid are appropriately
> exposed, no whisker shorts and the barrel screws onto the jacket after
> the threaded collar goes on.  clamp the cable in a vise close to the
> barrel with one of the barrel holes facing up.  Now, here's what you
> need:  A decent temperature controlled Weller solder station with a
> 700 or 800 degree tip, but not any tip.  You should have a broad flat
> head tip that resembles the end of a flat head screwdriver, but the
> width of the tip should allow it to fit inside the barrel hole.   With
> the iron heated up, put the tip flat against the braid and apply
> solder and let it flow on the braid, filling up the hole.  The mistake
> everyone makes is they heat the barrel first.  You don't get some huge
> iron or torch and stand there getting the barrel hot as hell, you
> solder to the braid first, let it fill with the solder heating the
> barrel, then move the tip around the hole until the solder wicks to
> the metal.   Quickly release, rotate and clamp the cable in the vise
> to the next hole and repeat.  The barrel will get hotter as you work
> with the solder flow and you'll wind up with four soldered holes.   I
> think this is the method Jim K9YC was describing.  You have to have a
> temperature controlled iron that will pull current and stay hot as
> heat is sinked out.  I use a Weller WTCPT
> https://www.rshughes.com/p/Weller-Soldering-Station-00114/037103_00114/
> .
> 
> 73
> Rob
> K5UJ
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