The way I solder 259's probably isn't the best.  If I have rg8, I just wrap 
the shield back to make contact with the outside of the connector and solder 
the center conductor only.  I don't try to get solder in the side of the 
connector because I'm afraid of shorting the shield.

For RG58, I wrap about 16 turns of maksing tape around the coax and fold the 
shield back against that instead of using a reducer.  That's a technique I 
learned from LMF, for those of you on the list who remember Steve.

Steve, K8SP
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2006 10:13 PM
Subject: Re: coax question


>    Good observations, Richard.
>
> Maybe I need to start trying to figure out a reasonably "fool proof" way 
> of
> soldering PL259's onto coax.  Actually, I seem to recall a discussion on
> this list about how blind guys like us solder PL259's.  Maybe that would 
> be
> a neat topic to resurrect if someone has come up with a good, safe, and
> effective strategy that consistently gives good results.
>
> Best 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Richard Webb" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 12:17 AM
> Subject: Re: coax question
>
>
>> HI folks,
>>
>> I bought a 100 ft. run just to have it when I evacuated
>> Katrina to SAn Antonio, because K-COmm was right there, and
>> I wanted to get a g5rv up and operational as soon as I lit
>> somewhere long enough.
>> AS it was I was able to recover the tag end of my 500 foot
>> roll from my tool shed behind my burned out house in SLidell
>> La.
>>
>> I quit buying coax in anything less than 500 foot rolls, I
>> also buy a goodly supply of Amphenol pl-259 connectors.  NO
>> radio shack junk for this operation anymore, no wondering if
>> I"ve got enough coax.
>> YOu can asve lots of money buying from your local
>> electronics wholesaler if you're willing to go this route.
>> mEanwhile I calculate my price per foot and if a ham needs
>> some for an antenna project on a weekend at short notice
>> I"ll whack off the amount he needs and only charge what I've
>> got in it.  THis way I've got a fund to replace it minus
>> whatever I've used of course.
>> IF you or a friend are handy with a soldering iron you're in
>> business, save the money.
>>
>> Also beware!  I've seen premade coax runs that weren't done
>> properly and had to be redone.  Quite a premium to pay if
>> not done right in the first place.  TAkes all the advantage
>> away from it.
>>
>> 73 de nf5b
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Richard Webb,
>> Electric Spider Productions,
>> Eads Tn.
>>
>>
>> Braille:  support true literacy for the blind.
>>
>
>