How To Solder CoaxTerminals

1970Columbia34 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007

I am putting new RG8U Coax cable in our mast and I am wondering what is the process in soldering the terminals on, I am sure i can handle the job just need to know the process and what to use. Thanks.

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007

Strip wire... coat with rosin-based flux paste... heat with iron... when hot...apply solder..

1970Columbia34 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007

Well thanks i figured it would include steps like that that, but hope for some more detail Dog....Thanks.

sCOTT

k1vsk · #4 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007

I'd be surprised if there aren't a number of specific directions incl. pictures which can be found by searching coax connectors or PL-259.
It's pretty intuitive. A couple of suggestions and one caution.
The caution is to heat up the connections only sufficient to allow the solder to flow. Overheating can cause the dielectric to melt.
The suggestions are to be judicious in how you strip back the outer braid so as to not break lots of the strands. Also, check the continuity before making final connections as a short between the inner and outer conductors will cause the transceiver to be very unhapppy. Almost all solders sold today already have the flux in them so no need to make a big mess by adding more. Finally, don't use the crimp-on type which apparently you already know.

goose327 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007

Scot, I've done a boatload of'em but can;t even come close to explaining how.
Here's a GREAT link.
http://sanantoniohams.org/antennas/soldering.htm
He does it exactly as I do.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007

Sorry bout that...haven't had lunch yet.

BTW, Do you have a coax cable stripper...they make a very specific tool for doing this, and it usually has three blades, to cut the various layers with. If you don't have one, installing coax ends is a royal PITA. I would recommend you get one, but make sure it is for the right kind of coax cable.

Also, I would generally not use RG8U, but upgrade to the RG213, which is made to more stringent MilSpec ratings.

Goose's link looks pretty good, but the photos could definitely be improved.

duffer1960 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007

You'll need a good hot soldering iron with a medium to large sized tip to hold the heat while you heat the center tip of the connector, then the outer ground shell. If the tip of the iron is too small, the large surface area of the connector will suck the heat right out of it and the iron will not be able to heat things back up (Imagine placing a hot penny on a metal plate versus a clothes iron heated to the same temperature placed onto a metal plate; which one do you think will cool off faster?). The iron also needs to be hot enough, to heat the area up quickly so that the whole end of the cable doesn't heat up over time and melt the inner dialectric material. Cut everything to the lengths specified in the instructions that came with the connector, make sure they fit, then pre-tin the center conductor before assemble. When ready to assemble, put your parts together and heat the connector/cable with the iron. Heat until the solder melts on the connector/cable contact point, and let the solder wick into where it is supposed to go. DO NOT heat the solder on the soldering iron tip then place this on the connector hoping this will work; you will end up with a cold solder joint that will fail. All components to be assembled must be heated, along with the solder for the solder to bond correctly. It's actually easier than it sounds. The one thing you should make sure you do is slid any furrels, grommets, shrink wrap or whatever onto the cable BEFORE you solder anything. There is nothing I hate more than doing a great solder job only to realize that whatever else is supposed to be on the cable, on the OTHER side of the now soldered connector, cannot be slid on over the connector, so you now have to unsolder your just-done-perfect solder job and start all over.

TrueBlue · #8 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Goose's link looks pretty good, but the photos could definitely be improved.

Spoken like a dedicated photography instructor.

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007

The point of having photos is to clarify or better illustrate...those photos fail in their mission.

goose327 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-07-2007

Maybe we could get Ians "bow line" to pose with the erected antenna.