PL-259s for Belden 9913

[MegaChrisGT]

Greetings! I bought 100ft of 9913 cable to run to my antenna. I also picked up a pair of PL-259 connectors from Radio Shack to install on both ends of the cable. Unfortunately they don't seem to be big enough to get onto the cable. The center conductor won't pass through the hole in the end of the PL-259. Anybody know if PL-259s are available slightly larger to accomodate 9913 cable? Should I just drill these out? Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Hoofy]

I have used 9913 for many years but I usually use 'Amphenol' brand connectors and have never had a problem like you discribe.

 

[RISC777]

Anybody know if PL-259s are available slightly larger . . .

Like an Amphenoal UHF male PL-259?

 

[MegaChrisGT]

I have used 9913 for many years but I usually use 'Amphenol' brand connectors and have never had a problem like you discribe.

Thanks for the info, just ordered a few, we'll see how they work.

 

[KC4ZEX]

I've installed a few over the years. Just used the standard RG 8 connectors.

 

[VernM]

I can't recall, but if the 9913 center connector is twisted copper, you must use care to not disturb its cross-section when you cut it as the wires out of normal shape do become hard to insert into the center connector of the PL-259s.

 

[kb2vxa]

Hi Mega and all,

Vern, the center conductor of genuine Belden 9913 is 13 AWG solid copper rather than the 14 AWG stranded found in RG-8U and therein lies the problem.

"Cheapo" PL-259s like Rat Shack don't fit but there is a cure, one of two actually. You can drill out the pin but BE CAREFUL and use a drill press and it's vise or you can not only damage the connector or hurt yourself badly when the bit binds in the work and the connector spins or goes flying off like a large caliber bullet. That can still happen if it's not perfectly aligned with a drift pin before drilling. My fix is simpler and safer, I whittle the wire down with a very sharp stainless steel pocket knife.