[amsat-bb] Re: Where can I buy pre-made feedline?

[Edward Cole]

At 08:59 PM 12/4/2007, STeve Andre' wrote:
>On Wednesday 05 December 2007 00:53:08 Rick Mann wrote:
> > On Dec 4, 2007, at 9:42 PM, kc6uqh wrote:
> > > Before you give up I suggest you buy the silver plated PL-259' s If
> > > you can't find them, then with a pocket knife or small file remove
> > > the nickel plating, use a good grade of rosin flux 37% Pb 63%Sn
> > > solder. THe aluminum will not solder but the braid is tin plated
> > > copper. You need a 250 Watt soldering gun or 100Watt iron Heat the
> > > first hole add solder then the second etc after the third hole you
> > > will notice the connector is hot enough for the solder to wick into
> > > the holes.
> >
> > Thanks, but I've already spent a small fortune in additional tools to
> > do this. I'm done. I just want to buy well-made cables.
>
>Well, I can't think of a better place than the RF Connection, in
>Maryland.  Ask for Joel, and during the conversation mention "crabs".
>He'll be very puzzled that you said that. ;-)  (we've met him in MD for
>maryland blue crabs).
>
>--STeve Andre'
>wb8wsf  en82
>

One reason to use N-connectors is that they assemble with the 9913 
and LMR-400 foil shielded cables without need for soldering.   Either 
the traditional compression-clamp style or crimp style do not require 
soldering the shield.  The benefit is a better designed RF connector 
will less impedance "bump".  Of course there still is a lot of radio 
equipment that uses the SO-239 receptacle.  In those cases one can 
make up a jumper cable with RG-58 or RG-8 (RG-213) cable, if you find 
assembly of PL-259 on 9913 or LMR-400 is too big a hassle.

I will say that not all PL-259 are equal.  I only use Amphenol PL-259 
at work as they are silver plated and solder much better.  Use of 
alcohol to de-grease metal parts before soldering, use of rosin flux, 
and sufficient heat all help a lot for less frustrating assembly of 
PL-259's.  A fellow technician of mine used to use a round file to 
file across the solder holes to thin the metal for better soldering 
(that works).

I would also say that not all coax is of equal quality.  The cheap 
stuff has too little shield density.  I use that stuff to make ground radials.

...anyway that's my two-cents on the subject!




73,
Ed - KL7UW
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