soldering vhf cable to male connection

[chwarae]

Hi Everyone,
I'm trying to find the excellent link on the correct way to solder and connect a vhf cable to the male connector that I have inside the boat underneath the mast. The link had lots of photographs and was really helpful. Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Best Wishes,
Harry.

 

[Talbot]

I assume you are referring to Dogwatch's superb tutorial on BNC connectors that was here

 

[Salty John]

Or here if it's a PL259:
http://www.saltyjohn.co.uk/resources/How%20to%20fit%20a%20PL259%20plug%20to%20coaxial%20cable.pdf

 

[shaqra]

I would like to add some further information when soldering the PL259 type of plug.
Most of the latesest types of these plugs have two slots instead of the holes. if you have the four holes type, file out between two of the holes. in other words place body in vice with two of the holes upermost and file out all the metel between them. This will give you more area to solder.
Regards

 

[whipper_snapper]

And solder fast and hot, or you will turn the dielectric to toffee. A small gas torch is better than a soldering iron.

 

[Poignard]

[ QUOTE ]
........Dogwatch's superb tutorial on BNC connectors ......

[/ QUOTE ]

Superb indeed. He deserves an extra Doggy Choc for that!

 

[Chrissie]

Okay, for at least one of us who having just read the proper way to do it and realises she did it wrong, what are the signs/symptoms of a shorted result?
and how can it be remedied?
Cheers

 

[ShipsWoofy]

I stated in the thread I did it wrong, in that the cable I used was too heavy and that the braid should have been brought down the outside of the cone. But the way I did it actually works in that it separates the core from the inner and locked the plug on the cable.

If you have a short it is nothing to do with the method. Inspect and measure the resistance between the braid and the pin, if the aerial is connected this should be a few ohms, otherwise an open circuit. If the measure reads a short then you have most likely got a stray strand from the braid touching the inner.

In the trade, the normal way to find this is.. Look for it!

 

[fluffc]

[ QUOTE ]
And solder fast and hot, or you will turn the dielectric to toffee. A small gas torch is better than a soldering iron.

[/ QUOTE ]
Please, don't /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[whipper_snapper]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
And solder fast and hot, or you will turn the dielectric to toffee. A small gas torch is better than a soldering iron.

[/ QUOTE ]
Please, don't /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Please do!

The last thing you want is an underpowered iron slowly heating the whole caboodle to soldering temp. Fast and hot is the key. The gas torch option on a gas soldering iron is perfect. I have done 100's and seen 1000's screwed-up.

There is a school of thought that you shouldn't solder the braid at all.

Just to be clear - this is for the outer braid on PL259's

 

[Salty John]

With both ends of the cable disconnected a multimeter will show no continuity between the centre pin and the shell, and continuity between the centre pins of each connector and between the outer shell of each connector. If you see a short between pin and outer shell re-do the joint or you can damage your radio.

 

[chwarae]

Thanks for links, exactly what I need.
Best Wishes,
Harry.