John,
Not sure if they have switched to crimp or not, but many of the bad reviews
complain about poor solder to the braid. One of several jumpers bought from
Universal Radio some years ago failed. These were RG 213, silver teflon
connectors soldered on. Body started spinning on the cable. Unsoldered the
center pin and it pulled right off. The 4 solder holes in the body looked
perfect, but almost no solder had gotten to the braid.
I suppose it doesn't matter whether it's crimp or solder, either done by a
blind guy in the basement, or some engineers at M.I.T, it has to be the
right connector on the right cable, installed the correct way, using the
correct tools. Otherwise trouble will rear it's ugly head
That's why I avoid using the black coax seal and prefer using silicon
fusion tape followed by good quality electrical tape. That sticky stuff
will keep the water out, but adds zero in strength or stability to the
connection. Also letting coax hang any distance while only being
supported by the connector is another failure waiting to happen at 2 a.m
in January.
73, Steve KW3A
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 12:48 PM
Subject: Re: crimping verses solder
> Cable Xperts used to be good but they with in the last couple years
> started
> using crimp connectors. I have 1 of those around here and the end hasn't
> fallen off but it's RG8U so it shouldn't. I think that cable's in my go
> kit.I probably should put crimp connectors in my go kit as well but I
> really don't trust them all that much.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Forst" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 12:00 PM
> Subject: Re: crimping verses solder
>
>
>> Hi tom,
>>
>> And as has been said, there is something to be said for buying pre-made
>> cables. In fact I had mentioned that in a private e-mail to Gery, who
>> had
>> started this thread a few days ago. of course you are still taking a
>> chance. HRO sells a lot of pre-mades from Cable-Xperts, and while I
>> don't
>> take the E-ham reviews as gospel, there seems to be quite a few unhappy
>> hams who bought that product.
>>
>> A few years ago I redid the whole station with a few hundred ft of Davis
>> RF
>> Bury Flex low los coax. Had a number of custom lengths made up by the
>> Wire Man in SC with pl-259's soldered. Very happy with the results.
>>
>> But I still want to fix things and make other cables as needed, so in
>> comes
>> the crimper.
>>
>>
>> The one I got from the RF Connection was $37.50. Nice to deal with.
>> Even
>> told me to call and he would talk me through if I ran into trouble, but I
>> didn't. You can spen more money and get higher quality tools or ones
>> that
>> do more than just RG8 type. This is for the odd crimp at the odd time
>> and
>> I'm not going to be doing dozens of crimps a week for the next 5 years.
>> So
>> it suits my needs fine.
>>
>> 73, Steve KW3A
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2007 10:13 AM
>> Subject: Re: crimping verses solder
>>
>>
>>> Thanks, Steve. I just may have to invest in one of those crimping
>>> tools.
>>>
>>> Any idea on the cost?
>>>
>>> Also, I assume that you can get the connectors to go with it from the
>>> same
>>> company?
>>>
>>> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Steve Forst" <[log in to unmask]>
>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 10:19 PM
>>> Subject: Re: crimping verses solder
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi Tom,
>>>>
>>>> I use a ratcheting crimper from the RF Connection:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> http://www.therfc.com/
>>>>
>>>> The connectors are 2 piece. There is a ferrule and the main body of
>>>> the
>>>> connector which has the barrel, the knurled part you screw onto the
>>>> so-239 attached.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Slip the ferrule onto the cable and prep the cable end. Slide the
>>>> main
>>>> connector body over the center insulator and under the braid. Crimp
>>>> or
>>>> preferably solder the center pin. Slide the ferrule over the braid.
>>>> Put
>>>> the
>>>> ferrule in the crimper jaws and squeeze a few times till it releases.
>>>> it
>>>> makes a 6 sided crimp.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 73, Steve KW3A
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "T Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 7:49 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: crimping verses solder
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Steve and all:
>>>>>
>>>>> Ok, it's time for me to get enlightened again here.
>>>>>
>>>>> Can someone give me a good source for crimp-on PL259 coax connectors?
>>>>>
>>>>> I personally would only use them in-doors, and would like to get some
>>>>> for
>>>>> my
>>>>> inside radio connections.
>>>>>
>>>>> Over the years, I have used the ones sold by radio shack, where you
>>>>> slip
>>>>> the
>>>>> center conductor into the connector, and then establish a connection
>>>>> with
>>>>> the braid via a set screw, but those inevitably fail after a period of
>>>>> time,
>>>>> not to mention the number of those little screws that I've lost!
>>>>> (grin)
>>>>>
>>>>> I agree that, in the perfect world, everything would be soldered, but
>>>>> I'm
>>>>> not perfect, and neither is the world, and I think crimp-on connectors
>>>>> do
>>>>> have their place for those of us who aren't the greatest solderers.
>>>>>
>>>>> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
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