[TowerTalk] RE: Crappy PL259's

[Paul Christensen]

Due to my usual lack of patience, I presently purchase silver/Teflon PL-259 connectors, not for any potential performance benefit,
but that I can generally make a cleaner, and much faster solder connection to the silver plug.  If I'm not mistaken, one vendor even
allows you to purchase a PL-250 with a silver plug section, and a nickel shell to keep per unit pricing low.  I can generally use my
Weller controlled-tip 30-watt solder station with these.  On the all nickel PL-259s, nothing but my "big-bertha" 250-watt Weller gun
seems to work.  But then, I run the risk of overheating the plug before obtaining a good solder meld...only to find that the
phenolic insulator has become soft and distorted.  Perhaps pre-fluxing on the nickel would help.

-Paul, W9AC

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim" <wb6yaw@dreamsoft.com>
To: "Eddy Avila" <k6sdw@hotmail.com>
Cc: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2001 10:05 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] RE: Crappy PL259's


>
> I certainly am not having this problem.  I can only think of 2 things that'd be
> wrong.  Either not enough heat or maybe you're using some of that new lead free
> solder. A PL259 can sink quite a bit of heat so use a big iron and also be sure
> to use a good quality solder with lead.  I've never mastered the lead free
> stuff.  I think it takes a special flux.
>
> 73
> Good luck
> Jim
>
> Eddy Avila wrote:
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > When I was a young ham in the 60's I never ever had any problems assembling
> > PL259 connectors, particularly when it came to soldering them to the coax.
> > I'm sure I never used anything hotter than a 100-watt gun!! I'd simply heat
> > up the connector then apply some solder and voila! It was that easy.....
> >
> > But now, no matter what I buy, cheap or expensive silver-tinted PL259 and
> > using a 250watt gun I'm finding it very difficult to get solder to "stick"
> > to these crap connectors....getting really frustrated trying to get solder
> > to adhere to PL259's now!!!
> >
> > Can someone recommend (without hesitation) a source of good-quality
> > connectors that can take solder like they used to?
> >
> > thanks much!
> >
> > 73....../ed
> >
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List Sponsored by AN Wireless:  AN Wireless handles Rohn tower systems,
Trylon Titan towers, coax, hardline and more. Also check out our self
supporting towers up to 100 feet for under $1500!!  http://www.anwireless.com

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