[allowed] Re: [TowerTalk] Old coax connectors . . .

[Jim White, K4OJ]

AS A SPIN OFF...

Someone mentioned that silver oxidizing is still conductive... does this 
mean I might wish to consider using silver solder when I prep coax 
connectors? I know it is pricey but I am in favor of minimizing 
aggrivating headaches associated with feedlines (translation: connector 
failure at top of tower) whenever possible.

Thoughts?

K4OJ


Steve wrote:
> Thanks everyone for the advice and information. Sorry to take a few days 
> getting back to this, was distracted by another (radio) project.
> 
> Most of my old connectors are evidently silver plated. Their finish is 
> dulled by the years but they solder rather easily with a moderate 
> wattage iron.
> 
> Someone inquired as to the interior insulating material. The SO-239's 
> have a brown material, looks like bakelite. The male-male barrels, 
> female-female barrels and 90-degree male-female connectors appear to 
> have plastic dielectric. On some of the connectors I can see through the 
> plastic, on most it is an off-white that I cannot see through.
> 
> What I get out of this discussion is that these are oldies but goodies. 
>  I'll put 'em to use!
> 
> Thanks again,
> 
> Steve
> 
> Didier Juges wrote:
> 
>> You should be able to tell because silver that is more than a few 
>> months old
>> will have a slight (or more pronounced) yellowish tint, where nickel 
>> plating
>> looks just like stainless steel. Nickel oxide is clear (and always only a
>> very thin layer), so it does not affect the aspect of the connector.
>>
>> If you can tell the difference between real silverware and regular 
>> kitchen
>> stainless steel "silverware", you have it made :-)
>>
>> Finally, if you can solder it easily, it definitely is silver and not 
>> nickel
>> plated, even though nickel can be soldered, it requires higher 
>> temperatures
>> and is much harder to do.
>>
>> 73,
>> Didier/KO4BB
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve" <steveac at charter.net>
>> To: <TowerTalk at contesting.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2003 1:03 PM
>> Subject: [allowed] Re: [TowerTalk] Old coax connectors . . .
>>
>>
>>
>>> Steve,
>>>
>>> Thanks for the info. Allow me to press my luck with a further question:
>>> How does one discern the difference between the connectors which are
>>> silver plated and those which are otherwise plated?
>>>
>>> Thanks again!
>>>
>>> Steve
>>>
>>> K7LXC at aol.com wrote:
>>>
>>>> In a message dated 8/1/03 10:27:31 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
>>>> steveac at charter.net writes:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> I have several PL-259 and SO-239 connectors that I acquired in the
>>>>> 1970's. Also a number of male-male barrels, female-female barrels and
>>>>> 90-degree male-female connectors.
>>>>>
>>>>> Do these type of connectors deteriorate with the passing of the years?
>>>>> Their finish has been dulled, but they are in good mechanical
>>>>
>>
>> condition.
>>
>>>>> They have been kept dry during storage, although exposed to the summer
>>>>> and winter time temperatures of an unheated/uncooled building.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>    It depends on the material. If they're silver, then the silver oxide
>>>> collected over the years is a conductor and they'll work FB. If they're
>>>
>>
>> nickel
>>
>>>> plated, then the nickel oxide is not a conductor and you'll have
>>>
>>
>> potential
>>
>>>> problems.
>>>>
>>>> Cheers,
>>>> Steve    K7LXC
>>>> TOWER TECH -
>>>> Professional tower services for commercial and amateur
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>
>>>> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
>>>
>>
>> Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 
>> with any
>> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
>>
>>
>> Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 
>> with any
>> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
>>
>>
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless 
> Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with 
> any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>