[Elecraft] OT: Installing PL-259's

[Dale Putnam]

A very sharp knife, steady hands, and the method of cut, remedies that problem.FIrst, cut around the coax and the measured length from the end... being exactly how much TOTALvinyl needed off (full length of PL259 with tip included). Then, measure from the cut, using the PL-259 to just past the holes, mark the vinyl. Drop the PL259, then cut through the copper braid and vinyl,NOT the center insulator, yet, after making the full circle around the coax, peel off the vinyl and braid, of the outer end... leave the last cutof vinyl still on... inspect Closely that there isn't any left over braid... Then cut just a 1/16 of an inch towards the end but through the entire center insulator, but DO NOT nick the center conductor. Now, you have only the braid that will be showing under the holes, left covered with vinyl.but it is slit lengthwise already. And the center is sticking out bare.   Two options.. tin the braid.. or not. Either way will work.. the key to tinning .. is DO NOT use much solder.. and be careful with the heat to not melt the center insulator. OR after peeling the vinyl off.. screw the coax into the pl259, snugged up so the center insulator is tight against thePL259. Then.. with either method.. using high heat for a short amount of time.. flow solder through the holes.. this can NOT be done aceptable withthe small Weller gun. It can with the 550. AFTER the solder is flowed on the braid... inspect the center conductor, that the center insulation has notmelted a flowed out of the center pin.. knowing that care of the heating was done, flow solder into the center pin, and solder the center conductor to the pin. Screw on the shell.. OH CRAP.. no WAIT.. slide shell on from far end.. twice.. cause it went on backwards the first time.. and because it is a 200 foot run, take a break for coffee... then, go do the other end.. but remember.. shell first.. because you just finished the first end.
Have a great day, 
 
 
--...   ...--
Dale - WC7S in Wy
 
 

> But just removing the insulating sheath allows the braid to expand to
> larger diameter, causing it to catch on the inside of the connector in
> many/most cases.
>