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Damyankee
Posted on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 - 9:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've got a PL259 connector question. What exactly is the proper installation method? It seems that there must be more than one way... I have a 50 foot jumper purchased from a reputable company where both PL259s are soldered at the barrel on the ground.
I have 2 short jumpers purchased from the same company where neither end has the shield slodered.
I have assembled coax jumpers before but never with 213. The long soldered jumper is giving me flaky ohm/SWR problems on one end. I have Amphenol connectors and will be cutting the soldered end and replacing connector and all. What's preferred here guys???
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Ironmask
Posted on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 - 10:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Damyanke,

I have found this to work best for me.
Hold the new PL-259 next to the coax. Have the coax extend 1/4" beyond the connector. Mark the outer cover just beyond the holes for shield connection. Side away from center pin. Strip off outter cover to the mark. Cut shielding so that about 3/8 is extended beyond cover. Remove plastic even with shield. Don't cut center wire.
Screw connector onto coax until shield braid is showing through holes and center has extended beyond center pin. Solder center wire to center pin. Check that shield braid is showing thru all holes evenly. Solder ALL FOUR holes. Use ohm meter from center to conector to check for bad connection. Cut off extra length of center at the original angle. All this is assuming you have taken the outter sleeve off and slid it over the coax FIRST. I don't remember how many times I have forgotten. Hope this helps!!!
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Damyankee
Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 2:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Ironmask. I was pretty sure that they should be soldered but didn't know if this was necessary since my 3' jumpers weren't. I give your method a try. I hate coax problems!!!
73s - 340Arkansas
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Marconi
Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 11:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If you can solder the shield in the 259 very well, the solder method works best. The big "IF" is, do you have good solder technique and equiptment to get the solder down inside the 259 making good contack with the shield inside and without over heating everything inside.

In order to be correct, the solder in these holes should appear to be a bit concaved suggesting that the solder when inside the 259. If during soldering you don't note the solder seeming to flow, then the connection is not likely to be good or permanent. If the solder just sits there, like a little blob of solder in the hole, it probably is not making the good permanent type connection you want.

An alternanative non-solder shield install is to bring the shield back over the coax cover, screwing the 259 down over the coax, embedding the shield between the connector and the coax outer-cover. I find a little Vasaline on the shield and iside the 259, makes this work easier and it is not so hard on the fine wires of the shield. The Vasaline also serves as a minor moisture barrier for the coax if you get it around where the shield folds back. Then solder the center conductor in the tip. Then check continuity while moving the connector back and forth a bit.

Personally, I have never had a good one of these fail over time.

Marconi

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