[TowerTalk] Plumbing > Hardline -- simpler, cheaper way

[Jon Zaimes AA1K]

For 3/4 inch CATV hardline, I strip back the black jacket about 2 inches, carve out the foam dialectric to depth of about 3/4 -inch (easiest with a $25 coring tool), cut four slits in the aluminum shield about an inch long, slip on a PL-258 double-male barrel connector -- a snug fit over the center conductor, use one all-stainless hose clamp to tighten down the slit shield to the outside of the barrel connector. Connect PL-259 of coax jumper to other end of  the PL-258 and tape (use the cheap stuff!) for weather protection if needed.

For 1/2 inch CATV hardline, strip back black jacket about 2.5 inches, strip back shield and foam to expose center conductor slightly longer than the length of the pin of a PL-259,  strip back shield about 1/2 inch to expose foam dialectric, cut five equally-spaced slits in the shield about  1 inch long, carefully pry up slit shield pieces to separate from foam dialectric, compress foam dialectric with pliers, thread PL-259 onto cable, solder center conductor,  use one small all-stainless hose clamp to tighten down the slit shield onto the rear of the body of the PL-259, tape (use the cheap stuff!) for weather protection if needed.

I have never had a failure with either of these methods. Some have been in use for more than 20 years.

73/Jon AA1K
Delaware