[UK-CONTEST] PL259 Connector loss

[Ian White GM3SEK]

G4BUO wrote:
>Hear, hear. Nickel-plated PL259s are really hard to solder to. On my 
>visits to Dayton I used to buy bags of silver-plated PL259s, worked out 
>at less than a dollar each but it is a few years since I went. These 
>plugs take solder very well and it is much easier to make a good 
>soldered connection before the polythene dielectric melts!
>
>The best way to deal wih a nickel-plated PL259 is to throw it in the 
>bin. The second best way is to file away the plating so you expose the 
>brass.
>
>Ok, I am standing by for the emails from those who say you should only 
>ever use N-type!
>

Not from me.  The 'UHF' series has kept its place at HF for very good 
reasons.

Two useful tips for soldering the braid to nickel-plated 259s (thanks to 
'In Practice' contributors over the years):

1. File across the 4 holes with a 3-4mm round file. Cut away the full 
depth of nickel plating inside the hole to leave a thin feather edge of 
bare brass which heats up and takes solder much more easily.

Try that one - it really does work.

2. To help a small iron along, pre-heat the plug body with a hot air 
gun.


But having said that, I don't buy old-style 259s any more. The rubber 
sleeve compression type are well worth the extra money.



-- 

73 from Ian GM3SEK
http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek