--- Rick Mann rmann@latencyzero.com wrote:
I'm using a small butane torch, and vice grips on either side of the holes. I tried tinning the braided shield beforehand with my electric iron (a nice Metcal), but even that melts the dielectric if I'm not extremely careful (and I don't think it's bonding well to the foil shield).
Just a comment on this. I use the following procedure to solder PL-259s.
1. Always use silver plated connectors. The solder flows better.
2. Use a small soldering iron to lightly tin the shield. I use a 33 watt Ungar with a chisel tip. Solder will flow extremely quickly across the shield with this element. Just do it in quick stripes and don't try to make a thick coating. Thinner is better. You may have to look twice to see where it's tinned and where it's not.
3. Screw the coax into the PL-259 and use a 140 watt gun to solder the holes to the tinned braid. Give enough time between each hole to let the connector cool down. Maybe use a pair of pliers to cool it quicker.
4. Use the iron again to solder the center conductor after it's all cool again.
The key to this is using enough concentrated heat to be able to solder through the hole to the shield, so that you don't have to heat the whole PL-259 to melting temps. Of course, I do have the occasional problem, but this has worked pretty well for me for years.
Bob - AE6RV