[TowerTalk] [SPAM] Re: One more question on PL-259s

[Jim Walker]

There are many sources for crimp-on PL-259s, I understand.

And there are more than one connector option for RG-8, RG-213 type coax. 

So my question for those of you who have been crimping connectors for some
time.....which model connector is best and where do you buy them?

All input if appreciated.

Jim
KB0X


-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lux
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 10:49 PM
To: Mel Whitten; towertalk at contesting.com; Cecil Moore
Subject: [SPAM] Re: [TowerTalk] One more question on PL-259s

At 08:26 PM 11/9/2006, Mel Whitten wrote:
>Cecil,
>
>Not possible, I believe to get a "cold weld" as KISTLER web site refers 
>using solid wires.  IDC or insertion displacement connections is 
>similar to a crimp and here you will see solid wires.  So now I have 
>seen threads on cad weld, copper weld
>and now we have cold weld.   Plastically here I believe, means
>cold flow of the material.  Gas tight connection so it won't oxidize.

There's all sorts of "deform the metal" sorts of connection techniques.
Crimping being but one.
Wirewrap, for instance, depends on the corners of the square posts cutting
into the wire wrapped around the post to form a gas-tight seal, with the
"stretch" of the wire providing a tension to resist vibration.
3M had a SpeedWire (I think that was the name) where you pushed insulated
solid wire onto fork shaped terminals (much like Insulation Displacing
Connectors from T&B).. the edges of the fork cut into the wire, forming a
gas tight seal and also cutting through any oxide on the surface.

The ever popular "wire nut" works this way, but sort of in reverse. 
The edges of the "spring" inside the nut cut into the solid conductors.  The
"spring" keeps the force on in a vibrational environment.

Most all telephone wiring these days is done with crimped connections of
solid wires, with ScotchLok type connectors (or essentially identical
connectors from other mfrs).

The ubiquitous RJ45 network jacks are assembled with the "forked terminal
cutting into the side of the wire" sort of technique, and, interestingly,
provide a constant impedance connection with remarkably good match.

In fact, now that I think about it, writing the above lines, I suspect that
soldering is sort of an archaic method of connecting wires, except for some
form of mass connection (i.e. flow soldering, or reflow).  And, for, wires
at least, "solder isn't structural". 
(Soldering is used to attach dice to substrates, but it's not tin/lead
solder.)


>I am sure someone on the list can answer your question directly, but I 
>am firm believer in crimping when done with the proper tools and 
>materials since it can provide a superior connection.


Jim, W6RMK


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