PL 259 Connectors ?

[k8niv]

Good morning all, I'd like to no where do you all find the good brand of PL 259 connectors, crimp type, these days ?...

Have tried a few different ones but still having a issue with a shorted pl on my cables and it has been getting old for sometime now......have even bought new coax cable down through the years from well know places who sales the coax and installs the pl connectors for you, and still having issues with a short in it......even the weather sealing stuff they use falls off/comes loose and slides off the end of the connector...

Reason I had my connectors installed is due to having issues with both my hands, not working like they used too.....

Is there any advice you all can give me for installing my own connectors on the coax ?....
Really need to find something that I can get to work, nobody around these days local that does stuff like this anymore this day and time...

 

[K4EET]

Hi @k8niv and great question! Have you reached out to any local ham clubs? There might be one or more members that are gurus with installing the coax connectors that would be willing to help you out in solving your problems.

With respect to your specific problem of shorts in your coax, both purchased and with self installed connectors, two thoughts come to mind:

1. For self installed connectors that immediately end up shorted, do you have a good quality set of needed installation tools as well as plenty of practice installing connectors?

2. For pre-made cables that end up shorted, again are you buying quality assemblies from reputable companies? The assembly would most likely be tested for shorts before being shipped to you. So the question arises, are you adhering to good installation practices such as strain relief, bending radius, etc.?

 

[buddrousa]

Good crimp connectors require good crimppers
Also crimp connectors are made for specific coax you need to order the correct ones for the coax you have. I still use RFI Brand when I have to use them as that is the brand crimppers I have

 

[KJ4DHF]

https://www.amphenolrf.com/rf-connectors/uhf-connectors.html?termination_style=629343

https://www.amphenolrf.com/tools/crimp-tools.html

 

[AK9R]

A short circuit in a coaxial cable connector is often due to improper installation. You have to be very careful that a single strand from the braided shield doesn't go the wrong direction as the connector is installed thus causing a short. Unless you are buying garbage connectors, a short is usually not the fault of the connector.

I've purchased pre-made coaxial cable assemblies from Cable X-perts (not sure they are still in business), DX Engineering, and ABR. All three companies provided a good quality product that was properly assembled and trouble-free.

 

[trimmerj]

Weller 150 or better watt gun, solder, small tubing cutter. Good Instructions in AARL Antenna Handbook. Very easy to install uhf connectors on rg8 size cable

 

[K6GBW]

I switched to 100 percent crimp on connectors over ten years ago. I use the RF Industries brand for the most part. So far I've never had a problem with them. My crimpers also allow me to put on BNC, TNC and UHF Mini's easily. Eliminating the need to solder has been fantastic. I was nervous about it at first, but after using them I'm convinced they are the way to go. Buy good tools and learn how to carefully prep the coax and they go right on in seconds.

Look for RF Industries RFU0508X connectors. You can get them at rfparts.com

 

[mmckenna]

+1 on the RF Industries brand. I've been using those for years at work without any trouble.

And I agree with AK9R, a short is not the connector, but more than likely the installer.

I've got some fancy higher end crimpers at work, but at home I have a set similar to this:

https://www.amazon.com/ConnectoRF-Ratchet-Crimping-Coaxial-Stripper/dp/B076TN118K/

It does just fine for hobby type use and I've never had an issue with it.

Buy yourself a handful of extra connectors and practice. The connector manufacturers provide installation instructions and dimensions for stripping the coax. If it helps your confidence, ohm everything out before doing the final crimp.

Just be aware, good connectors are not cheap, and cheap connectors are not good. You get what you pay for.

PL-259 Connectors - RF Industries - PL-259 Connectors

Are you looking for the best PL-259/UHF Connectors for RG58 connectors? Shop all PL-259 UHF connectors today at The Antenna Farm

theantennafarm.com

 

[KF0NYL]

I don't like trying to solder PL259 connectors. I seem to struggle with them even with my good Weller soldering station. I can solder 28-30 gauge wires to tiny model railroad N scale digital decoders but big stuff drives me crazy.

I just ordered the Powerwerx CoaxKit from Ham Radio Outlet for $90. I will be crimping connectors from now on once the kit arrives.

 

[K6GBW]

And if you wanna be a super cool cat you get yerself a whole roll of heat shrinky stuff to make it all nice and clean and provide a strain relief! All radiomen should take pride in their connectors!

 

[k8niv]

Good info, I didn't buy the tool set to install the crimp type connectors, but did buy the crimping tool, and been using a pair of scissors to trim the loose/strands of the shield wire back out of the way, have some crimp type pl connectors I bought awhile back before I messed up my right hand and been practicing on some old RG 213 coax I have here, problem I have is cutting the clear color insulation off that's around the center copper wire with out nicking it..........and as I put my coax on these antennas I do use a strain relief on them.....

 

[KF0NYL]

I thought about buying the individual crimp dies sine I already have a Powerwerks power pole crimper. But the cost wasn't much different once I added the cost for all the different dies. Plus I won't have to swap dies out very often and have two ratcheting crimpers.

 

[W4AXW]

Have both Amphenol and DXEngineering crimp/solder PL259s in service for about a year now. Requires a bit more investment to get set up for crimp/solder but I'll never go back to all solder. Couldn't be quicker and easier to install. IMO a better shield connection. DXE connectors are quality stuff.

 

[buddrousa]

Just do not use the cheap knockoff Belding 9913 or LMR400 do not buy the cheap clone stuff the 1st thing you will notice is it only has about 1/2 or less of the braid.

 

[k8niv]

I'm using the Times microwave LMR 400UF coax and RG 213 coax cable here on my antennas, this is why I have this crimp tool, I bought this one years ago before the price went up on this stuff, no small coax been used here, in which my coax runs up and hooks to the back of the radio, or antenna switch I have...no amplifier been used...

 

[KF0NYL]

Just do not use the cheap knockoff Belding 9913 or LMR400 do not buy the cheap clone stuff the 1st thing you will notice is it only has about 1/2 or less of the braid.

You can definitely tell a difference between the cheap Amazon/eBay coax versus quality coax as soon as you strip the outer sheath and look at the braided shielding. The braid will definitely be less on the cheap stuff and some will use aluminum instead of copper.

Good luck soldering a connector to aluminum braid.