[TowerTalk] Soldering Iron, Connectors, Cable

Tue May 10 21:44:38 EDT 2016

I think one of the key takeaways from this discussion about connectors 
and cable is that unless you are absolutely sure that you are getting 
good quality stuff at a low price you are better off paying more for 
known name-brand items.

Jim is correct with his stories about doing all sorts of extra work 
under less than pleasant circumstances to replace some of the bargain 
stuff that was used.

Back when I was in the newspaper business I put up signs in our press 
rooms to encourage people to do it right the first time. The message 
isn't original but the sign read, "If you don't have time to do it right 
the first time when will you have time to do it over again".

You just can't save enough money to compensate you for the constant 
failures that occur at the most inopportune times when you buy and use 
cheap stuff.

On 2016-05-10 19:00, Matthew King - KK4CPS wrote:
> "...attempted public humiliation of me."
> 
> Wow. Man, you've got some of the thinnest skin I've seen.
> 
> Jim may not be what we'd call a people person, but his input is 
> invaluable.
> Your input is invaluable. I don't for a second believe Jim was trying 
> to
> humiliate you. If you were actually humiliated, keep your chin up ole 
> boy!
> ~slap on the back~
> 
> This board (and any other) only functions because of people's input, 
> which
> is bound to differ from time to time. Getting upset when somebody 
> disagrees
> with your stated view is just not productive, in my humble opinion.
> 
> Keep on keepin' on...
> 
> 73
> 
> Matt
> KK4CPS
> 
> On Tue, May 10, 2016 at 8:20 PM, Bryan Swadener via TowerTalk <
> towertalk at contesting.com> wrote:
> 
>> I agree, Bob. That person's response was smug.
>> As shown by his responses today and many times
>> in the past, he is the one with the attitude that needs
>> correction. Apparently, from private emails I've
>> received today and in the past, I'm not alone in my view.
>> 
>> Yes, my decades of experience, both personal
>> and professional in radio & electronics. hihi
>> 
>> The other person you mentioned (WB5UAA) is
>> another matter. You're entitled to your differing
>> opinion.
>> 
>> Now, if the attempted public humiliation of me is
>> done, let's get back to TT. I agree with Hank W6SX.
>> 
>> vy 73,
>> Bryan WA7PRC
>> 
>> 
>>      Date: Tue, 10 May 2016 16:15:58 -0700
>> From: Bob K6UJ
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Soldering Iron, Connectors, Cable
>> 
>> Bryan,
>> 
>> What a smug response.
>> Your decades of experience.....hihi
>> This might come as a shock to you but there are members here that
>> actually have more experience
>> than you and more importantly have more technical knowledge than you.
>> Lose the attitude and help us support one another.
>> 
>> Bob
>> K6UJ
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> You chased Guy, WB5UAA off the EHAM antenna forum with your
>> 
>> On 5/10/16 2:31 PM, Bryan Swadener via TowerTalk wrote:
>> > I apologize for presenting my opinion.
>> > Clearly, someone knows better than I.
>> > My decades of experience must mean
>> > nothing.
>> >
>> > Bryan WA7PRC
>> >
>> >      Date: Tue, 10 May 2016 13:52:50 -0700
>> > From: [Deleted]
>> > To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> > Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Soldering Iron, Connectors, Cable
>> >
>> > On Tue,5/10/2016 1:18 PM, Bryan WA7PRC via TowerTalk wrote:
>> >> The idea that only Amphenol produces good quality connectors is
>> >> not correct. There are others. DX Engineering supplies top-shelf
>> >> connectors and adapters at reasonable cost.
>> > Unless you are in the position of a mfr or vendor to buy and test
>> > samples from known mfrs, or have worked for a mfr who has done that,
>> > you're in no position to know whether a mfr's product is good or not,
>> > let alone "top shelf." The electronic products I've seen from DXE are of
>> > good quality, but I've not seen their connectors or cables.
>> >
>> >> Others have touted The RF Connection as a source of good quality
>> connectors at reasonable cost.
>> > That may be, but they sell a lot of JUNK connectors too. When I got back
>> > on the air around 2003, I filled my parts box with 5-10 each of the 5-8
>> > pin DIN connectors they were selling. They were junk -- metal that
>> > wouldn't take solder, dielectric that melted under minimal heat from a
>> > good iron.
>> >
>> > In the same time frame, I also stocked up on lots of low cost coax
>> > connector adapters, barrels, elbows, and Tees at Chicago area hamfests,
>> > typically paying $2-$4 each. In the four years that followed, I learned
>> > the hard way that those connectors were JUNK -- they fell apart,
>> > overheated, went intermittent, and outright failed -- each time causing
>> > me lots of grief in troubleshooting the problem.  A $12 connector or
>> > adapter seems expensive, until you've crawled through an attic, along a
>> > coax run, or climbed a tower to find a $4 piece of junk.
>> >
>> >>    They seem to have a wide selection.
>> > Yes. They also sell Amphenol, and a broad selection of hard line
>> > connectors they have been able to find. But I will no longer do biz with
>> > them because I learned that they pulled what I consider to be a very
>> > dirty trick on their employee who  I dealt with on a large group
>> > purchase several years ago.
>> 
>> Date: Tue, 10 May 2016 16:22:30 -0700
>> From: Hank W6SX
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Soldering Iron, Connectors, Cable
>> 
>> Hey everyone.
>> 
>> Criticize in private, praise in public.
>> 
>> Technical, non ad hominem, commentary always welcome of course.
>> 
>> 73,
>> 
>> Hank, W6SX
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> 
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