[TowerTalk] Using A Big Iron On PL-259's

[DavidC]

Press:

   100% of the private E-mails I have received about your
quick-disconnects have been extremely positive.

   Someone mentioned that there are several levels of
specs within your QD product line?  What are the differences,
please?

   The most important application in my setup is the following:

I have two 4" dia 4' long pvc tubes running from inside of the
radio room to the outside point where my grounding panel is.

I will mount Polyphaser devices on the grounding panel (as
soon as my neighbor brazes the two pieces of 5" wide, 1/4"
thick copper plate together, and then brazes the bottom to the 
three 8' copper ground rods).

I will put a 3" pvc tube inside of the 4" tube with a handle on 
one end and quick-disconnects on the far end.  This way when 
I pull the tube inside the only attractive place a lightning surge has 
to go is across the Polyphasers down the grounding plate into the 
three ground rods!

Note:  The 3" tube will be keyed and guided so the QDs can only
contact the correct connectors at the far end.

Have I missed anything in my lightning-protection paranoia?
(Just because one is paranoid doesn't mean lightning isn't trying
to fry you and your gear!)

- Thanks! & 73, DavidC  K1YP in Hudson, FL

************************************************************************

> Heck, no need to find the post - it is correct. We do 'em every day with
> such wattage, as well as an arc solder machine, with even higher
> effective power. The secret is simple - high heat, short time. With an
> iron, we consider 10 - 30 seconds the window for all four holes in a PL -
> actually 5 - we spend 2-5 seconds on hole # 1, which acts as a "preheat",
> then 2-3 seconds on each of #2, 3, & 4, then 2 sec more on #1, since the
> warm-up flow's field is a bit small. A damp (not wet) towel is kept
> handy, for cooling, in case the job runs a tad long (20-30 sec).
> Pre-tinning the braid is really not necessary with good technique and new
> coax with bare or tinned braid shield, however, and it is risky to boot.
> It is possible to liquify the dielectric in an instant, and more skill
> than the typical amateur installer is required for success.
> It is another example of the old amateur disease - "if a little is good,
> a lot must be better."  
> Some think it is necessary when a long run of coax is supported by the
> connector, but if such is the case, "Kellems(tm)" are the correct answer.
> 
> We welcome a critique on the QD's - properly used, they get lots of kudos
> as a convenience AND as a complement to lightning protection set ups.    
> 
> 73,
> 
> Press Jones, N8UG - The Wireman, Inc., 261 Pittman Rd, Landrum, SC 29356
> <Press@thewireman.com> or <orders@thewireman.com>
> 800-727-WIRE(9473)(sales)
> Tech help 864-895-4195, fax 864-895-5811.Full catalog, images,
> descriptions, coax specs,
>  ordering, at http:\\www.thewireman.com and super deals, specials,
> close-outs etc., 
> at THE WIRELINE. Check the CALENDAR to find us at a hamfest!
> 
> On Sat, 10 Jun 2000 22:46:40 -0400 "DavidC" <eDoc@netzero.net> writes:
> > 
> > I recall a recent post describing a "master" coax cable
> > PL-259 Ham using a real high wattage iron to get a reliable
> > connection.
> > 
> > Maybe big like 350 watts?  He flooded the shield with solder 
> > and then slipped it into the connector and soldered it to the
> > shell.  The high wattage allowed for such quick melting that
> > the job was done before the dielectric could melt.
> > 
> > Anyone recall that post?  I cannot believe I didn't save it but
> > I searched the obvious folders and nada.  Help?  350w sounds
> > scary but if it works I'll try it ... I'm looking at used variable
> > power soldering stations so I may experiment at various power
> > levels.
> > 
> > BTW:  Do folks here recommend Wireman's quick disconnect
> > PL-259's?
> > 
> > - Thanks! & 73, DavidC  K1YP in Hudson, FL


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