Thanks for the re-assurance, John.

Sometimes, you just never know, but a number of people on this list have 
given me some really good advice, based on experience, so that is what I 
went with.

Once again, and I know I've said this many times already, I am so grateful 
for this list.  I appreciate everyone being out there, and hope that I am of 
some help along the way too.

73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, December 17, 2011 8:31 AM
Subject: Re: soldering?


> I've run those PL-259's where you solder the tip and crimp the shield, I
> know commercial radio installers who say they're as good as the ones you
> solder all the way around, and these guys aren't hacks. I'd take anything
> they say as gospel since they often have to redo other connectors from
> professionals, no one ever has to redo theirs that I know of.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 10:46 PM
> Subject: Re: soldering?
>
>
>>        Justin:
>>
>> Your question is exactly the one I have been struggling with over the 
>> past
>> few weeks myself.
>>
>> Specifically, I have purchased some solderless PL259 coax connectors for
>> RG8X coax from a place called West Marine.  They are made by a company
>> called Shakespeare.  I have used one of them already on a 160-meter 
>> sloper
>> that I recently put up, and the connector works fine.  However, it is
>> limited to only 500 watts of output power, which would be a problem if 
>> you
>> wanted to use an amplifier on the 160meter band.
>>
>> After a lot of research and good advice from many folks on this list, I
>> just
>> bought two stripping tools, and a crimp-solder coax crimper from The RF
>> Connection.  This allows me to crimp the braid part of the coax
>> connection,
>> and then simply solder the tip of the coax connector where the center
>> conductor lies.  It should be fairly easy to do and, most importantly, it
>> should allow me to do these kinds of connections independently.
>>
>> I just sent an e-mail to the list outlining the specifics of the tools I
>> bought, and the PL259 connectors that were recommended.
>>
>> I'll keep you posted, but right now, it seems like I'll be able to
>> accomplish my goal of doing these connectors independently.
>>
>> 73 from Tom Behler: Kb8TYJ
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Justin Mann" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 10:36 PM
>> Subject: soldering?
>>
>>
>>> Hi there,
>>> Is it possible that a blind person can solder?  I'm sure that surface
>>> mount stuff is a bit difficult,but can you as a blind person solder a
>>> coax
>>> connection for instance, or put connectors on coax in anyway?  Again,
>>> this
>>> may be a duh question, but as a blind person I'm curious as to how I
>>> would
>>> go about doing this?  I've been afflicted with some helpful hams who say
>>> "That's too hot you'll burn yourself!!" I'd just like to be more
>>> independent as a ham operator.
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>