very true, that helps also with the solder spreading around in there and making a better connection with the shield. something else I do is with RG-8X where you need the reducer is, that little groove behind the threads and before the part on the end that sticks out a very little bit from the connector, I put solder in that notch, I had 1 of those reducers come loose on me once, if you put solder in there when the connector gets hot it will make very sure that reducer won't come loose.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Colin McDonald 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 6:14 PM
  Subject: Re: coax question


  One thing that i have learned recently regarding shield soldering is...to
  strip the jacket off the shield and to tin the actual shield with
  solder...this way, when you screw the connecter on, its much much easier to
  solder to the connecter because as soon as you apply heat to the connecter,
  the solder on the shield will liquify and create a very solid connection to
  ground.
  Of course, the difficulty lies in stripping the jacket the appropriate
  length back to fit perfectly into the connecter, and also insuring that none
  of the ground shield threads are in contact with the center conducter.
  73
  Colin, V A6BKX