[Elecraft] OT: Installing PL-259's

[Mike Sanders]

Another tip regarding soldering connectors or anything else for that matter.
Use 63/37 mix solder AKA Eutectic. It has a one degree plastic point and
helps prevent cold solder joints. Said before you must use enough heat on
any joint but this solder mix will help. Another Motorola initiative I have
used
Eutectic for 25 years or so now. 73

             K0AZ
       Mike Sanders
EM37cd SW Missouri
     www.k0az.com







-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of AG0N-3055
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 9:51 AM
To: elecraft
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: Installing PL-259's

On Mon, 11 Nov 2013 22:23:37 -0800, Frank Precissi wrote:

> Glad this topic came up, because im about to redo all my pre-made 
> cables and its one of those topics that people like me are afraid to 
> ask because they are sorta newbie-ish (cue the "You should have 
> learned this before you got your ticket" grumps).
> 
> What is your opinion of this method:
> 
> http://www.k3lr.com/engineering/pl259/

I wouldn't touch that method with a (your) ten foot pole.  You have a very
weak point at the point of entry into the PL.  A few flexes of the coax, and
your shield will be broken and non-existent.  Solder through the holes and
allow the black sheath to reinforcingly hold the coax in the connector.  It
should only be trimmed back far enough to clear the holes.

I've never been able to use the tinned shield method.  Too many stray wires,
and/or too large to freely enter the center of the connector without
catching.  I also don't like the idea of enlarging the holes in the PL,
although that seems the least undesirable of the things people have
mentioned.  If you do, at least make sure there are no burrs on the inside
to catch the braid as you thread the coax into the hole.

While on the subject, someone mentioned not being able to get the tip of the
gun (I use a gun) into the channel where the holes are.  Why not? My
300+ watt tip isn't that large.  It should fit fine.  You do NOT put the
tip into the holes themselves.  You heat the outer until the folder will
freely flow between outer, shield, and (if using one) UG reducer.

Make sure solder is FLOWING, not just sitting there stuck on some piece of
flux or something.  It should flow from one hole to the next IN the shield.

Someone mentioned the word waterproof.  PLs are NOT waterproof.  The best
you can do is to make sure moisture can't get into your connection on either
side of your connector.  Fully seal several inches either side, multiple
layers.  I haven't used it in years, but I used to use Scotch Kote.  A layer
of 33 or 88 tape, Scotch Kote, and another layer of tape, each one extending
beyond the last layer does a pretty good job and you'll pull brand new
connections out of it 10-20 years later.

Gary
--
http://ag0n.net
3055: http://ag0n.net/irlp/3055
NodeOp Help Page: http://ag0n.net/irlp
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