[TowerTalk] "Best" Amphenol PL259 was "PL-259 - can connectors be recycled?"

[Steve Harrison]

A word of caution for those who have not used parts containing PTFE
(teflon) before: PTFE expands when it gets very hot, such as it
experiences during a *prolonged* soldering operation. Still further
heating will see the PTFE part deform noticeably; and when subjected to
an open flame such as a torch while attempting removal of old coax, PTFE
can, and does, burn. The fumes and smoke of burning PTFE are highly
toxic. If heating PTFE coax (such as semirigid) or connectors, try to
limit the amount of time that you apply heat, and be quick about your
soldering operation.

Steve, K0XP


On 7/15/2024 11:02 AM, Kimo Chun wrote:
> I don't intend to create any controversy.
>
> The 83-1SP is "plenty good" for most or all applications in our Amateur
> Radio work. Anything more may be a waste.
> I've mentioned this before but recently cleared up, at least in my mind,
> subtle differences between the "best" two PL-259 models. "Best" is just an
> opinion and unsubstantiated by me.
>
> For what it is worth:
> The 83-1SP is silver plated only on the central connector body. Its
> insulation is not PTFE (Teflon). It is listed in corrected specifications
> as "LCP". My initial search on Google came up with "Liquid Crystal
> Polymer". I don't know if it is applicable. Thus, I don't know Amphenol's
> LCP thermal characteristics which may be relevant in possible heavy heating
> of the connectors during installation, or in this case, removal. Amphenol
> Marketing material incorrectly stated that the 83-1SP had Teflon
> insulation. I found an engineering drawing that listed a "correction" of
> that error. I'll send anyone the pdf drawing if requested. I may be able to
> back trace the Web site I got it from to provide a current link.
>
> The Amphenol RF part number 83-886-2050, PL259 is different in that it does
> have PTFE insulation and is fully silver plated, both body and shell. It
> also includes a small, I believe PTFE, disk/washer that is placed over the
> center conductor before screwing the body onto the coax. I presume it is to
> help reduce the chance of shorting if too much solder is introduced in the
> tip of the connector. Pure speculation. Oh, I believe Amphenol has at least
> two different product lines covering our beloved UHF connectors. Those with
> the RFX suffix are of, I believe, a different product line. Sometimes,
> different materials and, more importantly, different plating is used. Read
> the specs carefully. Silver plated surfaces are much easier to solder.
>
> So, at the risk of disagreement, I consider it to be the "best" PL259,
> albeit more expensive and perhaps harder to source. I recently purchased a
> quantity of 50 (to reduce cost) and found at least two national online
> distributors that had them in stock.
>
> Buying and using these may be worthwhile to some and theoretically they may
> withstand recycling "better" as it is being discussed if, thermally, PTFE
> is better or even necessary than LCP. But spending a few dollars more per
> connector contradicts one concept of recycling, saving money. That is not
> to say that the 83-1SP cannot be used then easily and readily reused /
> recycled by a careful and practiced hand. I've done it successfully, in a
> pinch, but I mostly just use new connectors. I do use many 83-1SP
> connectors as well. No problem.
>
> Most average amateurs may not need 50 or more connectors in their ham
> career while others definitely do. I help maintain 6 towers of a M/M
> contest station plus my own and have other DXpedition and club uses so my
> needs exceed those of others.
>
> My first purchase of these was in 1996 via my company and Motorola Parts
> (where I first discovered them). In quantity 50, I paid, coincidentally,
> $2.59 each.
>
> Just, hopefully, useful information for your perusal.
>
> 73, Aloha,
> Kimo Chun KH7U
> fka Delta Communications, Inc.
>
> Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2024 11:46:41 -0400
> From: Chuck Hartley<chuck.hartley at gmail.com>
> To: Pete Smith N4ZR<pete.n4zr at gmail.com>
> Cc:towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] PL-259 - can connectors be recycled?
> Message-ID:
>          <CAJi5igk_Ux2dGLFY+f88TiVARu5BZNZkittTjPE1oFOnfD-0Ww at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> Pete -
> The good ones with the silver plating are part number 83-1SP with no other
> letters in the part number. There are other PL259 with different
> combinations of plating and insulators that are typically cheaper.
> 73,
> Chuck KM3V
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