[TowerTalk] PL258s and Double Males are OK!

[TexasRF@aol.com]

Hi again Bob. If the hardline o.d. is .75" you can attach a PL259 using a 
3/4" to 1/2" copper pipe reducer from Home Depot/Lowes. The i.d. of the pipe 
reducer is too large so you need a short length of 3/4" copper pipe (same 
source) to act as a shim inside the reducer. You will need to hacksaw several 
slits in the reducer/shim so you can install a hose clamp around it and 
squeeze it down to a tight fit on the cable o.d..

I suggest you solder the shim to the reducer and tin the inside if the whole 
thing to help keep the copper away from the aluminum coax shield. The small 
end of the reducer fits the o.d. of a PL259 almost exactly and can be 
soldered directly to the PL259 before installing on the hardline. Be sure to 
put the PL259 outer shell on before soldering as you can't do it later! 

The center conductor can be adapted in a number of ways. A short piece of 
brass from a brass bolt can be drilled on one end to fit the center conductor 
and the other end to fit a #10 or #12 wire or piece of RG8 center conductor 
etc to connect to the PL259 center pin. Home depot has brass fittings that 
are threaded. One of these can be drilled to fit the center conductor. Hobby 
brass tubing can be stacked to make reducers for the center conductor. Use 
what you can find or have.

When you install the connector solder the center pin/reducer to the hardline 
first. Put some No-Alox or other corrosion inhibiter inside the big end of 
the large reducer to help keep a good joint. Push the big reducer over the 
hardline shield and secure with a good quality hose clamp. Solder the PL259 
center conductor. Put some good weather sealer over the connection when 
installed as as you know water and aluminum can cause some big problems.

I have used variations of this scheme on 1/2" hardline for years with no 
problems.

Hope this helps.

73 de Gerald, K5GW

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com