PL259 - Can get center wires through tapered sleeve

[deblen]

Originally Posted by mikebikeboy

Why is this method considered a sin? Not the traditional or something? A "hack" that works, yet always a considered a hack?

For my situation (winter,commercial fish boats,etc.) it is a method that worked very well. It provided long term reliability & VSWR results that were the same as doing the connectors by the book. You will not find my method in any mfgr's instructions nor in any training course, as far as I'm aware. That makes it a hack,I guess,& a major no-no (sin) for many pro's.
I don't disagree with them.
I'm just reporting my personal experience. YMMV
Cheers/Len

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by waterman46

I'm glad you wrote this. As a ham radio enthusiast with a major interest in antennas, I must have used and re-used PL259's hundreds of times. With RG8 and RG58. When I started the hobby I always soldered. Then after wanting to re-use the connectors several times I just stopped soldering the braid. Makes it easy to clean it up for re-use.



Some coax has teflon dielectric, I believe. If that is the case, it would stand up fine to soldering temperatures. But with the low-loss foam dielectric, soldering the braid, if you heat it too long, does run the risk of creating a near-short condition which could fail later.



On the other hand I have taken apart old connections where the braid was not soldered and seen some braid corrosion, but only in marine conditions.

Ahh good....I’ve given up soldering the braid when field installing a connector too and haven’t had any noticeable problems arise from just folding back the braid.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by mikebikeboy

Why is this method considered a sin? Not the traditional or something? A "hack" that works, yet always a considered a hack?

The main problem is reliability over time, particularly in the presence of motion, temperature extremes, and exposure to weather. There are also potential problems with localized heating and failure with higher transmit power, because all the strands of each conductor aren't connected.


It's really easy to build an antenna and feedline system that is 90% likely to work for a day. Materials and technique don't matter. How long will a connection without solder last? Who knows, maybe a day, maybe a year, maybe five years, depends on the situation and luck.


On the other hand, a properly installed connector will last for the life of the cable.



One of the contributing factors in the loss of the Rebel Heart was thought by some commentators to be an HF antenna system that sort of worked.

[mikebikeboy]

Originally Posted by Jammer

dxengineering.com
theantennafarm.com
rfparts.com

mouser.com - but you need to know exactly what you want
newark.com - same
pasternack.com - lab grade, fantastic service, priced accordingly


Some of those will also crimp the ends in place for you. If you have to fish the cable through holes too small for a connector (and you don't want to drill larger holes) you can have them install just one end.

RF Parts has the best deals! Thanks!

[mikebikeboy]

I just made a pl-259 it wasnt very hard, mine is ugly but I tested it and its fine. Took 5 minutes.

used cheap 60w iron and radio shack 60/40 solder

wanted to try solder before going with the "short cut" methods which I'm sure are fine too.

[mikebikeboy]

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this thread. I went from town idiot to knowing a lot more about this subject and able to solder now. Thanks for all the suggestions, tips and advice.

[mikebikeboy]

I LOVE THIS FORUM