Since this subject pops up from time to time, and this method avoids 
soldering  the braid through the little holes,  I thought some might find it 
of interest.    Tim, K3LR posted this discription to the Tower Talk list and 
I asked him if he minded  me posting it to this list.

For what it's worth, K3LR has a world class DXing and contesting station 
with a bunch of towers, over 20 yagis, another 20 verticals, some rx 
antennas,  and all the switches and filters needed to run a high power 
multi-multi station.   Says he has hundreds of PL 259's installed  in this 
manner with no failures  in over 20 years.

Steve KW3A
From K3LR:
I have hundreds of silver plated PL-259s in service at my station. They are 
all
soldered the same way. It is different from what almost everyone else does.
Good soldered shields are very important to me.

I was never sure my shields were well soldered or had melted the dielectric
before using this method (before 1982).

Bill, N4AR taught me how to do this and I have been doing this 
"unconventional
method" ever since.

Using silver plated PL259s makes this system a breeze. I use the ones that 
say
"Made in USA" on the shell.
I will try to describe the method. I need to post some pictures on my web 
site.

Take a fully assembled (shell + body) connector.
Measure the connector against the RG8 (or similar) coax.
Take the outer covering of the coax off with a sharp knife.
Pull the braid back all the way by fanning it out.
Wrap 3 to 4 turns of Scotch 88 black tape around the center conductor 
dielectric
up against the fanned out braid.
Use wire strippers and remove the remaining dielectric from the center
conductor.
Install the fully assembled PL259 onto the center conductor and over the 88
tape.
The back of the PL259 body should rest on the fanned out shield.
Solder the center conductor.
Fan out the shield and cut it to 1/4" long and fold over the back of the 
PL259.
Solder the shield all the way around to the back of the PL259 body.
While the back is still hot wrap 2 turns of 88 tape around the soldered 
shield
to seal it good.

I use a Weller D550 soldering gun for this process

Now you can enjoy a well soldered shielded PL259! I have NEVER had one fail!

There may be a small impedance bump that you might be able to see at VHF 
caused
by this method vs. soldering through the holes, but the N4AR method 
guarantees a
well soldered shield which is much more important to me.

73!
Tim K3LR

http://www.k3lr.com