[Elecraft] APP crimp tool

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Keith N1AS wrote:

They should be crimped but the crimper is $50 or something like that. The
can be soldered but everyone agrees that is not the preferred attachment
method.

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Not so, Keith. Wayne and many others (including myself for what it's worth)
prefer SOLDERING over crimping. Crimping works fine, if you use the right
tool and know how to use it properly, but soldering produces a joint that is
just as good - electrically and mechanically - as the best crimp. 

The one caveat about soldering is that if you have an extreme short circuit
that is melting the wires and starting  a fire the heat might also melt the
solder causing it to run out of the connector causing another poor, high
resistance connection that can create even more heat. That's why soldering
is typically not used in concealed wiring in buildings, aircraft and other
sensitive locations. While crimping is generally used in hidden locations, a
less-than-perfect crimp in a conductor carrying significant current is sure
to cause a hot spot and possible fire. 

Concerns with fires and melting solder shouldn't be a concern with the
connectors plugged into the back of radios in our ham shacks. Hopefully we
have fuses, breakers and other safeguards against fire-causing short
circuits. I never saw any hesitation to solder power leads in other exposed
places in commercial work either. 

The reason some such cables are crimped instead of soldered is to cut labor
costs. Properly done, crimping produces a good connection and one can crimp
several connectors in the same length of time it takes to solder one
properly. The small savings in time is hardly a concern for most of us
working in our ham shacks.

Ron AC7AC