VHF Aerial Coax

Fair comment but I have seen far more failiers of crimp over a "good" solder joint.

As most on here will tend to do things on a "budget" solder has got to be the way to go.

Can't see the average baoter forking out for good quality crimp connectors and the right tool for the job.

Although I take on board what Cannon have said I have just carries out a straw pole here.

Not one member of staff said crimp is the way to go.
These are guys who have been in the industry a long time, as well as engineers there is a lot of Hams here too
Like me have seen lots of bad crimp connection but to be fair have seen some bad solder ones too.

I have also checked the MPT and ETSI specs for installations and can find no ref to crimps being the way to go.
I may have missed it!

Regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741
 
Fair comment but I have seen far more failiers of crimp over a "good" solder joint.

As most on here will tend to do things on a "budget" solder has got to be the way to go.

Can't see the average baoter forking out for good quality crimp connectors and the right tool for the job.

Although I take on board what Cannon have said I have just carries out a straw pole here.

Not one member of staff said crimp is the way to go.
These are guys who have been in the industry a long time, as well as engineers there is a lot of Hams here too
Like me have seen lots of bad crimp connection but to be fair have seen some bad solder ones too.

I have also checked the MPT and ETSI specs for installations and can find no ref to crimps being the way to go.
I may have missed it!

Regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741
 
Fair enough, but you've probably seen the results of using the incorrect tool or technique.

A proper crimp tool for RG58/213/214 can be had from RS for £90 (see stock no 241-8380). Apart from the fact that we have to manufacture all our kit using crimps on all GPS/VHF/UHF antennas, I wouldn't want to go back to soldering even though I've done plenty in the past 25 years in the industry.

Probably the best tip to give to amateurs is to wrap all exposed connectors in tightly wound self-amalgamating tape after assembly, regardless of whether crimp or solder. Also, to properly support all in-line connectors so that they cannot move.

Your preference in your office is probably down to the fact that you're a bunch of dusty old sparkys whereas we're progressive old farts here/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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Tome

In the words of Steve Wright "non taken"

Could not agree more about the tape!

At the age of 35 I don't consider my self that old!!

Kind regards

<hr width=100% size=1>Jon Brooks Icom UK Ltd. 01227 741741
 
What are the pros and cons of PL259 or BNC types of connectors? VHF sets seem to use PL259 - is this because they are more reliable?

I am disappointed with the protection self-amalgamating tape gave to my BNC connector under the deck. The deck gland leaked and water has got in (probably between the cable and the tape) and corroded the silver coating on the connector turning it powdery. I thought that I had wrapped it on good and tight. Any tips? Would vaseline be a good idea on the surfaces of the connectors?


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What are the pros and cons of PL259 or BNC types of connectors? VHF sets seem to use PL259 - is this because they are more reliable?

I am disappointed with the protection self-amalgamating tape gave to my BNC connector under the deck. The deck gland leaked and water has got in (probably between the cable and the tape) and corroded the silver coating on the connector turning it powdery. I thought that I had wrapped it on good and tight. Any tips? Would vaseline be a good idea on the surfaces of the connectors?


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John

You probably don't have it tight enough, and it should overlap onto the coax sheath by about an inch either side. Start one end on the sheath and get it good and tight as you can without breaking it, all round the connectors and onto the other sheath then back all the way again. If you have a deck gland it's a good idea to put a loop of cable below it with the connectors fixed above the loop.

I just undid a join made like this as a temporary measure on a test rig. Been exposed to seawater spray for over a year and both connectors were good as new. Vaseline would probably make it difficult to apply the SA tape.

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I agree I didn't have it tight enough and certainly not an inch onto the cable.

Thank you for your very helpful reply; your have helped restore my confidence in self amalgamating tape, I will try starting the tape on the connector where I can hold the end securely before winding it out onto the cable really tight. I will follow your instructions.

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John

Go for it. You will need to stretch the SA tape to at least half its natural width. If you get it right, it will look good. I mean tightly wrapped with no sign of edges to the tape anywhere.

Tom

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Before I discovered self amalgamating tape, I used to slip a couple of inches of poly pipe over the cable before making the joint, slide the pipe over the joint and then fill with silicone sealant from both ends. Never had any water ingress and it gave mechanical support to the joint.

Didnt work if you ever wanted to part the cable again!

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.
 
Birdseye

That's a great way of doing it for an inline join and probably as good as any professional solution. Bulky as hell though and would probably attract HMCG drug squad inspection.

On a SA tape join, it can be easily undone with a craft knife lengthwise along the connector followed by a peel. Just takes a bit of practise to avoid nicking the cable.

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Agree with tome re.stretching to 1/2 the width....neat end achieved by stretching the last bit round 'til it breaks, then pressing it down- soon moulds into the rest.

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If you need 18 plus metres of coax to a VHF antenna then you should not use RG 58 as has been advised. Unless you use larger coax eg RG/URM213 you will suffer considerable range loss because of the power loss in the transmission line. Using 213 you will normally use PL259 connectors in which case you will find them difficult to solder unless you have practiced soldering them before and possess a heavy iron.

In a marine environment, even for myself because I only do such connections infrequently, I would get a proven technician to do them for me.

John

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