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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Soldering VHF coax connector?

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Scooter
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/25/2010 : 06:44:03

All,

I am replacing my antenna wire from radio to top of mast. I am having trouble soldering the new plugs onto the coax. I have done soldering before and I'm almost positive my problem is the size of the soldering iron I'm using. (I had 40 hours of PACE soldering training in the Coast Guard. Very interesting class. 8 hours a day for 5 days doing nothing but soldering things from IC chips to large wire. I could tell some stories.... OK just one. The instructor we had was the "hands" in the instructional videos. He said his team removed 900 pound of excess solder from the space shuttle's lap soldered computer boards and other terminals.)

I have a small pencil type iron and, with a large piece of metal like the coax connectors, I need a stronger iron.

Question: Those that have done it often, what do you use to solder the connectors on? Torch, soldering gun? What size and kind? My next step is to talk to some marinas and WM personnel and just ask around.

I have a pretty good idea what will work but I just wanted to ask around here as well as other places. I always get good ideas here.

Getting hot under the collar, err..... connector,

Scott

Scooter
C25 '89 SR/WK #5878 "Square Knot"
Vandemere NC.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 08:49:03

I use gold plated, screw together connectors instead of soldering - it has been a satisfactory approach for 2 decades.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 10:07:00

I'm with Dave, I too have had days of training in the USN including micro soldering. The crimp on connectors made by Shakespeare, while a bit vexing to work with, make a solid connection that I've had no problems with. They're more expensive, but far less frustrating in the long term, and I've had no problems with them thus far (only a couple of years instead of decades).

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 13:02:03

I still use my soldering iron for connectors for boats and trailers. I remember a lot of discussion about using solder but Brother-in-law,Electronic Engineer, had me use it and it works. In fact he did all the mast and trailer wiring and that was 30 years ago.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 18:31:10

I still solder a few things, but it is getting increasingly rare. The advent of adhesive, heat-shrink splices has eliminated any advantage in all but a few situations. The claimed downside to solder is that it makes the joint rigid and creates a vibration/flexing failure point with flexible stranded wire. Personally, I think a splice does the same thing but slightly less abruptly, and they are quick, waterproof, and durable

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 20:05:52

I just made up our new dual DirectTV wire. Used the crimps from Harbor Freight. A Doddle!

(of course, I bought the $27 worth of coax wire stripper and compression tools from HF too.)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=95862

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=98953
Paul

Edited by - britinusa on 01/25/2010 20:07:39

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5377 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 20:43:41

My brother installs home theater in Fairfield county for the hedge fund guys and he only uses crimp connectors for RF. The compression type with heat shrink tubing last a long time and the connections are airtight.

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sailingchefs
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Response Posted - 02/10/2010 : 19:47:01

Hi!
You've probably done this by now, but I did this project last summer. 4 connections, 2 for the mast, 2 in the boat. First off, I busted Shakespeare for having the wrong instructions on the packaging! It said to fold the woven part back over the inner insulator...WRONG! Then I searched PL-259 on Youtube, and found a vid of a ham radio geek doing it in like 3 minutes. Dead easy! (I did mess up one anyway) Your iron should be fine; you just put it against one of the holes for 15-20 sec. to heat up, and the solder will flow right in. Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1nabA6yMoI

Good luck, -G.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.