HI Gerry,

It doesn't really matter which way you hold the connector, but if you have 
the center pin pointed upward, if you use too much solder, the outside of 
the center pin could get covered with solder, and then it will not fit in to 
a female coax connector until you file off the extra solder.

Bob, K8LR, [log in to unmask]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gerry Leary" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "Bob, K8LR" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 6:20 AM
Subject: Re: Quick question on soldering PL259 connectors


do you hold the connector tip up or in a horizontal position?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob, K8LR" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 7:57 AM
Subject: Quick question on soldering PL259 connectors


> Tom,
>
> Here is what I do.  I hold the soldering gun on the side close to the end
> of
> the tip of the coax center pin and put the solder feeding in to the end of
> the tip of the center conductor.  Then I squeeze
> the gun's trigger and when the solder starts to melt for about half an
> inch,
> your done.
>
> Bob, K8LR, [log in to unmask]
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: "Bob Tinney" <[log in to unmask]>; "Bob Tinney (alternate)"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2012 7:35 AM
> Subject: Quick question on soldering PL259 connectors
>
>
> Hey, Bob.
>
> As you know, I have been working at the process of soldering PL259
> connectors, and I have made some great strides here.
>
> The stripping and crimping tools from The RF Connection have been
> extremely
> valuable, and I think I have the process down, except for the last step.
>
> I can get the cable stripped, and the connector crimped onto the coax with
> no problem, but how exactly do you solder the center conductor to the tip
> of
> the PL259?
>
> Can you describe your process of doing this for me?
>
> I have a 90-watt soldering gun here, and a soldering jig from Radio Shack
> to
> hold my work, but I can't seem to figure out a consistently successful way
> to get a good solder connection between the connector tip and the center
> conductor of the coax.
>
> Thanks, and 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ