[South Florida DX Association] PL-259 Installer...

[npalex at bellsouth.net]

Bill,
Interesting product, but I will predict those using it would become very frustrated and discard it as more trouble than value.  The problem is in removing it, as the threads will tend to jam tight and the result is the connector will  unscrew.  Note in the video, the operator uses gloves that appear to have rubber tipped fingers, and the tight grip on the cable side of the connector to keep it from backing off.

I have installed hundreds of PL-259's at Cubex, and the simplest aid for this job is a pair of mini-vise grips ($3-4 at Harbor Freight); adjust the jaws to just securely grip the knurled end of the connector and screw it on.  Press the release lever and it is off.  The other advantage of this tool is you have a clear view of the connector and its progress.  
--
Regards, 
Norm W4QN

-------------- Original message from "Bill Marx" <bmarx at bellsouth.net>: -------------- 


> >From The ARRL Contest Sheet 
> 
> If you savage the body of PL-259 connectors while trying to get them 
> threaded on to RG-213-sized cable, relief is at hand. Craig K1QX found the 
> DX Engineering DXE-UT-80TN at the 2008 Dayton Hamvention. It enables simple 
> threading of PL-259 body onto the vinyl jacket by hand! The instructions for 
> using the tool are available on the DX Engineering Web site, as well. 
> 
> Watch The Video - Click on the reels at the bottom http://www.dxengineering.com:80/Parts.asp?ID=2483&PLID=240&SecID=127&DeptID=36&P 
> artNo=DXE-UT-80P