[TowerTalk] Soldering Coax Connectors

[Gedas]

I use crimp and traditional clamp type of connectors. I have a question 
on the proper way or technique that should be used to solder the center 
pin of N, BNC, and SMA style connectors onto the coax center conductor 
w/o making a mess.

I do not have any issues with connectors like PL-259's or pure crimp 
type connectors but I still struggle to solder just the center conductor 
of the coax to the center pin w/o making a small mess on the outside of 
the center pin and w/o melting the dielectric. I use a 25W Weller for 
the center pin and have tried various tips. I also have tried different 
solder sizes down to those ideal for SMD work.

How do folks get solder to flow just into the weep hole ? Do you use a 
tiny pointed tip iron and put that tip into the weep hole and hold it 
there until the center pin gets hot enough to melt solder? If so do you 
then keep the iron in the weep hole and dab solder at the tip/pin 
interface and hope it gets drawn in? Or, do folks use a larger sized 
iron tip underneath the center pin to heat it up enough so that solder 
when pushed into the weep hole will melt and cause a good connection?

What about pre tinning the center conductor?

Either way, regardless how careful I am, more times then not I seem to 
get residual solder all over the outside of the center pin and need to 
carefully scrap it off with an X-acto blade after things cool off.

And then of course there is the problem with holding the larger iron tip 
under the center pin too long and start melting the dielectric because 
the center conductor has been over heated.

Gedas, W8BYA

Gallery at http://w8bya.com
Light travels faster than sound....
This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.