Tinning a VHF connector?

[RIN]

Just fitted a new Glomex VHF Antenna to the boat and the instructions show the core wire fitted to the vhf plug (gold plated RG58) just shows the word "Tin". Does this mean solder? and is this possible without melting the nylon in the plug? Anyone help?

 

[Oscar24]

Hi RIN,
"Tin" does mean solder.
RG58 is the type of coax,
The gold plated plug you have is likely to be a PL259 type.
You will only be able to solder coax to the PL259 if the plug is a "solder" type. Not all are, some are "twist on" and don’t require soldering.

The nylon insert in the plug, which supports the centre pin, should just push out.

If this antenna is being used to transmit, then i recommend using solder type connectors.

Regards
Peter

 

[rafiki_]

Tinning means to put a small layer of solder on the wire, to ease joining when soldering to the joining wire/cable. It can be done if careful with the soldering iron, and doesn't need much solder either.

I tned to use chocolate blocks to join the VHF/GPS wires as they are very thin, then bind the chocolate block connecter in black tape to make waterproof.

 

[bedouin]

The mechanism for connecting the cable to the connector is really determined by the connector, not the cable. Common methods are crimp, solder or screw, so you need to follow instructions relevant to the connector chosen.

If it is a solder type connector then yes - it is easy enough to solder it without melting the nylon provided that you have a reasonable soldering iron.

For a crimp/screw type you might still choose to "tin" the connector once stripped. You do this by using the soldering iron to heat the core then apply solder to it so that it flows over the connector. That does not need the connector to be anywhere near

 

[bedouin]

I tned to use chocolate blocks to join the VHF/GPS wires as they are very thin, then bind the chocolate block connecter in black tape to make waterproof.

I wouldn't recommend chocolate blocks for a VHF that can transmit - too much risk of a significant loss of power through it, but seem to work fine for GPS and receive-only VHF (AIS etc)