[Elecraft] Soldering after Crimping

[Eric Scace K3NA]

   At the W1KM station we have had Anderson PowerPole connectors in 
service for about 4 years.  All were installed with the proper crimping 
tool.  The crimps were not soldered.

   We are starting to see some increase in resistance on some of the 
connections, and have speculated that some oxidation is occurring inside 
the crimped bundle of wires.  Typically 5 connections exist between 
source and sink:
   -- inside the power supply, between the board's wiring harness and 
the external terminal.
   -- between the supply's external terminal and a cable run toward the 
operating position.
   -- at the other end of this cable run, where it connects to a 
RigRunner (PowerPole).
   -- at the start of a second cable run, where it connects to the 
RigRunner.
   -- at the other end of this second cable run, where it connects to 
the radio.
The resistance of these connection, plus cable resistance and current 
draw, determine the voltage drop between supply and the radio's connector.

   To me, it seems a reasonable precaution to allow solder to be wicked 
up into the crimp from the front (not the rear) of the PowerPole pin.  
Properly done, this does not melt insulation nor cause the wire outside 
the housing to stiffen.

73,
   -- Eric K3NA