[TowerTalk] Soldering on the Tower

[Patrick Greenlee]

I have soldering tips that fit into a holder that attaches to the burner 
of a "standard" hand held propane torch.  The chisel tip can reach 
easily as required to solder the shield or center conductor of a 
PL-259.  The heating ability of this soldering method meets the 
challenge of soldering in the winter, in relatively windy conditions.

You do have to mind how you maneuver the torch as the heat from the 
flame can melt the coax jacket (or your finger) if you are sloppy or not 
mindful of the possibility. If you pay attention it is easy to avoid any 
collateral damage. This soldering tool is at least an order of magnitude 
more capable than any of the little butane units which have their use 
but struggle in less than ideal conditions or larger jobs.

You need heat, plenty of it, and preferably a large tip with good heat 
storage to solder braid to a PL-259 quickly so as to minimize the total 
heat transfer to the work piece.  Taking too long to get the area to be 
soldered up to temp is what gets the dielectric melted, jacket too in 
extreme cases.

Patrick    NJ5G

On 7/29/2015 10:38 AM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote:
>
>
> On 7/29/2015 8:14 AM, Chuck Dietz wrote:
>
>> I have finally found an amazing solution. The Master Appliance butane
>> soldering torch is a different breed.  While you light it at first 
>> with its
>>
>> I got mine at a Grainger outlet for about $65.
>>
>> http://www.grainger.com/product/MASTER-APPLIANCE-Microtorch-1YMK6?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/1YMK6_AS01?$smthumb$ 
>>
>>
>> Chuck W5PR
>
> I like the Master Appliance model UT-200 ultratorch:
>
> https://www.masterappliance.com/heat-tool-products/butane-powered/ultratorches/ultratorch-ut-200 
>
>
> I wore out several of these soldering 5,000 connections in my
> 160 meter ground screen.  These connections were a pair of
> 16 gauge copper wires crossing over.
>
> Rick N6RK
> _______________________________________________
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk