Well, I don't run that anymore, I use RG-213, but I fold the braid back and
get it under the reducer when I do use that with just a tiny bit showing out
the inside of the reducer, so you can't notice it when the reducer is in the
pl-259 connector, and I just dab solder at that end there the braid sticks
through, then strip the center conductor and make is so it just is
detectable through the hole in the center pin of the PL-259, then I manage
to get that all nice and neat, but I usually use RG-213 although that's
pretty much the same, I fold the braid back so it's a little bit over the
outer shield so when I screw the PL-259 on it will bite in to the braid and
then I'll put solder through the holes. that's the only pain is getting the
solder in the holes but with practice, I've gotten pretty good at it.
John Miller N1UMJ
Owner: J E M Racing need sponsors and crew help
to chat with me  AOL instant messenger JEMracing3
----- Original Message -----
From: "Louis Kim Kline" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2002 8:56 PM
Subject: Re: soldering PL259 coax connectors


> Well, I am lousy at it, and I readily admit it.  I usually use mini-8 coax
> (usually known as either RG-8M or RG-8X) with the Large solder-type PL-259
> connectors with the UG-176  reducers.  I slide the reducer over the coax
> and I strip the insulation back so that the center conductor is bare.I
> strip enough of the outer insulation away to expose enough braid to fold
> back over the reducer and thread the PL-259 connector over it with the
> center conductor protruding thru the center pin so that the end of the
wire
> is just sticking out of the end of the center pin.  I solder the center
pin
> like that, trimming any excess wire and solder away.  The problem is that
I
> haven't mastered a good technique for flowing solder through the little
> holes in the main body of the PL-259 to make a good connection with the
> braid.  I inevitably get flecks of solder in the threads of the connector,
> or else I don't successfully make contact.  I can kind of make a mechnical
> connection by pinching the wire braid between the body of the PL 259
> connector and the UG-176 reducer, but it is usually a matter of time
before
> the braid starts making intermittent contact.  I've never found a good
> technique for making this connection reliably.
>
> 73, de Lou K2LKK
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> At 08:14 PM 9/14/02 -0400, you wrote:
> >I have been wanting to ask this question for a long time, but keep
> >forgetting to put it out on the list.
> >
> >Do any of my fellow blind hams out there have any experience soldering
PL259
> >coax connectors?  Is there a safe and effective strategy that we could
use
> >to get this done without having to get sighted help?   If you have ideas,
> >spell them out for me, and I may just give them a try.
> >
> >Thanks.
> >
> >Best 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>
> Louis (Kim) Kline, A.R.S.  K2LKK
> e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work Tel.  (585) 697-5753