[TowerTalk] Installing connectors on Comscope CR1873 1 5/8"

[Dick Green WC1M]

Here are some instructions for using the hand prep tool that might be helpful:

https://www.commscope.com/catalog/doc/pdf/14068/Hand_Tool_for_540__780__1480_and_1873_EZfit__Series_Connectors_for_HELIAX__SFX__FXL_Cables.pdf

Instead of coring the cable, like you would do with the automated tool, it looks like you screw the inner half of the connector onto the cable to compress the foam, remove the inner half to check that the dielectric has been compressed properly and  the outer conductor is flared outward (no inward bends), then screw it back on with the tool and screw on the outer half. That's what Andrew does with their ring flare connectors on smaller cables, though without the hand tool.

Like most Andrew and Commscope instructions, the drawings don't fully explain what you're supposed to do, and there's no text. Not clear to me whether it's possible to screw on the inner half of the connector without the hand tool. Might be difficult to keep it concentric with the cable.

I wasn't able to find the hand tool anywhere, only the automated tool, which lists for about $400. You can pick up a used one on eBay for $90:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Andrew-CommScope-FXL-CR-1873-PT-Prep-Tool-For-Cell-Reach-FXL1873-CR1873-Cables/332711841673?epid=1423967633&hash=item4d772bcf89:g:-ZgAAOSwCmFbP8-e:sc:USPSPriority!14202!US!-1

I would hesitate to buy a used one because the blades might be dull. I'd probably opt for this NIB one for $30 more:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Andrew-FXL-CR-1873-PT-Cable-Prep-Tool-for-Cell-Reach-FXL1873-CR1873-Cables/173357162397?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D52885%26meid%3D05026680414b4ca9bbded2462e67084b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D332711841673%26itm%3D173357162397&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

I suspect that's more than you want to pay, but remember that you can resell it on eBay. After only two uses, the NIB one might fetch most of what you paid for it. If you go this route, here are the installation instructions:

https://www.commscope.com/catalog/doc/pdf/5265/Drill_Tool_for_540__780__1480_and_1873_EZfit__Series_Connectors_for_HELIAX__SFX__FXL_Cables.pdf

Hope this helps.

73, Dick WC1M




-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Wininger <ky5rtim at gmail.com> 
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2018 11:10 AM
To: VHFcontesting at contesting.com; towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Installing connectors on Comscope CR1873 1 5/8"

I will be installing 7/16 Din connectors on a 90ft run of ComScope Cell Reach 1873 shortly.

Don't have an installation/coring tool so will be preping cable manually.

Haven't found any info on the web . Maybe not looking in the right place(s).

Any insight or info would be much appreciated.

Tim , AB4B