[Elecraft] KPA/100 RF cable

[Tom Hammond NØSS]

Don Brown wrote:

>Tom's method is good. But I use a little different method Here is how I do it:
>
>  Strip of the outer cover about 1/2 - 3/4 in then push back and remove 
> all of the shield except 1/8 in next to the outer cover. Wrap 2 turns of 
> stripped insulated hook up wire around the shield starting opposite the 
> outer cover winding towards the outer cover. Quickly solder the wire to 
> the shield so you don't melt the center conductor. Bend the wire back 
> away from the end of the coax and slip a short piece of heat shrink over 
> the solder joint and shrink. Now bend the hook up wire back towards the 
> end of the coax and trim it to the same length as the center conductor. 
> Strip the center conductor and the hook up wire, test for shorts and 
> install the pins and housing. This makes a nice looking termination and 
> there is no chance of frayed shield wires shorting out, plus the wires 
> seem to break less often if flexed.

I've used Don's method MANY times before as well.. it works great!

The reason I didn't use it in this application is that it DOES require a 
deft touch with the soldering iron when you are 'quickly' soldering the 
wrapped wire to the shield that's still encircling the center conductor of 
the RG-174.

>The insulation around the center conductor of the RG-174 is all too easily 
>melted IF you apply too much heat... so when Don says, "Quickly solder the 
>wire to the shield so you don't melt the center conductor", he means "QUICKLY".

If you are an experienced builder/solderer, there's no reason not to give 
Don's method a try... it does generally yield a 'cleaner' looking result.

Thanks Don,

Tom  N0SS