OT: Crimped PL-259s, recommendations?

[Carl Clawson-3]

Several posters have mentioned proper connectors and tools for crimping
PL-259s but I am lacking specifics. Do you have recommendations for
brands/models of connectors and tools? If it's affordable, I'd consider
trying it.

Unlike 90% of hams, I don't worship solder. I'm prepared to believe that
crimped connectors can work just fine if done properly. The world is full
of crimped connections of all kinds, and they work fine unless they're done
with a crummy tool. The hardware store cutter/stripper/crimper that uses an
oval shaped recess to mash the connector to a flattish shape is a very good
example of a very bad tool.

73, Carl WS7L
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[Hall, Nathon]

I suspect that the 'crimped vs. soldered' thread will be shut down shortly, but here are my professional observations:

SDI-HD video is one of the most critical applications of coax cable in my job. We would *never* trust this signal to a soldered connector; they're all crimped. Yes, this is a slightly different cable than what we normally use in ham radio, but the extreme bandwidth of SDI-HD is a good test for any termination system. In radio cables outdoor or in high-vibration environments I will usually solder the centre pin of a crimp connector if a hole is provided to do so. This step is optional, but gives me a good feeling.

I have a range of crimping tools available to me: costing $25 - $1000+. I would trust all of them with cables and connectors intended for ham radio.

Soldering a PL-259 is something every ham should attempt at least once; sort of a rite of passage. After that, purchase a crimp tool and don't look back.

--
Nathon Hall   VE7ETS
SOTA VE7 (British Columbia) Association Manager
[hidden email]

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[Phil Hystad-3]

An example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmeC7PrulU8


On Nov 12, 2013, at 9:18 AM, Hall, Nathon <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I suspect that the 'crimped vs. soldered' thread will be shut down shortly, but here are my professional observations:
>
> SDI-HD video is one of the most critical applications of coax cable in my job. We would *never* trust this signal to a soldered connector; they're all crimped. Yes, this is a slightly different cable than what we normally use in ham radio, but the extreme bandwidth of SDI-HD is a good test for any termination system. In radio cables outdoor or in high-vibration environments I will usually solder the centre pin of a crimp connector if a hole is provided to do so. This step is optional, but gives me a good feeling.
>
> I have a range of crimping tools available to me: costing $25 - $1000+. I would trust all of them with cables and connectors intended for ham radio.
>
> Soldering a PL-259 is something every ham should attempt at least once; sort of a rite of passage. After that, purchase a crimp tool and don't look back.
>
> --
> Nathon Hall   VE7ETS
> SOTA VE7 (British Columbia) Association Manager
> [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

______________________________________________________________
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[Mike Reublin]

A good way to get a nasty cut is to use a dull knife. It increases the chances of a slip. A sharp edge bites and holds, and requires a lot less force.

73, Mike NF4L
On Nov 12, 2013, at 1:26 PM, Phil Hystad <[hidden email]> wrote:

> An example:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmeC7PrulU8
>
>
> On Nov 12, 2013, at 9:18 AM, Hall, Nathon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I suspect that the 'crimped vs. soldered' thread will be shut down shortly, but here are my professional observations:
>>
>> SDI-HD video is one of the most critical applications of coax cable in my job. We would *never* trust this signal to a soldered connector; they're all crimped. Yes, this is a slightly different cable than what we normally use in ham radio, but the extreme bandwidth of SDI-HD is a good test for any termination system. In radio cables outdoor or in high-vibration environments I will usually solder the centre pin of a crimp connector if a hole is provided to do so. This step is optional, but gives me a good feeling.
>>
>> I have a range of crimping tools available to me: costing $25 - $1000+. I would trust all of them with cables and connectors intended for ham radio.
>>
>> Soldering a PL-259 is something every ham should attempt at least once; sort of a rite of passage. After that, purchase a crimp tool and don't look back.
>>
>> --
>> Nathon Hall   VE7ETS
>> SOTA VE7 (British Columbia) Association Manager
>> [hidden email]
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> 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:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

______________________________________________________________
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