Buy a crimp tool and use crimp connectors. Two types of crimp connectors are available, single crimp and double crimp. Single crimp uses a solder-in center pin and crimp shield and the double crimp version crimps both the center pin and the braid. I have a slight preference for double crimp, but either are acceptable.
For connectors and crimp tools, you might look at The RF Connection in Gaitherburg MD. It's owned by a ham, and I've found them good to deal with. http://www.therfc.com/ is their web site. Jack K8ZOA On 1/28/2010 1:35 AM, Brett Howard wrote: > I've done a good portion of building a K2, and completely built a K1... > But amazingly enough I've never solder terminated a coax link... I > guess I've always preferred the look of professionally terminated > cabling. But now I need a few simple short patch cables. In the shack > I have a decent amount 60+ foot or so of RG58/U and then around 120 foot > or so of RG58/AU... Pretty much seems about to be the same stuff with > one stranded center and the other solid center conductor. I feel for HF > use this coax should be ample for a few 18" patches... Anyone disagree? > I may end up using these for VHF as well but doubtful I'd do much of > anything over 150Mhz. I'm not married to using the cordage that I have > on hand but it would be nice to be able to use that stuff.... If there > is something that would fit better feel free to advise. (I've always > been a fan of RG-8x for HAM use and I use RG-217 or better at work > always but like I said I'm not terminating those myself...) > > I've attempted to do this with PL-259 connectors before and was > unsuccessful (but I tried to use a less than optimal soldering iron and > it took too long to get things hot and I ended up with a short in the > end). I've now bought an adequate dual temp weller gun and should have > better success. > > So I guess for the next real question where would one recommend to get > PL-259 and BNC connectors for this job. Should I go for solder on or > crimp on? I'm more than willing to spend the money for a good crimp > tool if need be and its a better option. > > Anyway I'm open to recommendations as to where one should procure the > connectors as well as any tips, tricks, and opinions on what I should > use (so long as the opinions come with explanations). ;) > > Thanks kindly gentlemen. > > ~Brett (KC7OTG) > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
