I hate pl259’s. I feel that their invention was a plot conveived by the New World Order.
But we need them. First, you will need these tools:
I only recommend that human beings attempt to solder pl 259’s. Do not try to make your pets solder pl 259’s.
First, take your sharp instrument and go crazy on the coax like Norman Bates did on that broad in the shower. Expose your braid to about the length of the pl 259.
Cut all that braid off. Do not use your teeth yet.
Now expose the center insulator. Try to make an even cut and do not break the center conductor. You can use your teeth to take of the center insulator once you have made some good cuts. Do not swallow the center insulator.
Put the sleeve on the coax first, so that it will fit on the pl 259.
Now, see the little holes around the 259? That’s where the braid is soldered. Expose some braiding on the coax. You do not need to expose very much on coax where you do not need a reducer. For R8X and RG58/U, you will need a reducer.
If you do expose too much braid wrap what you have left in electrical tape. Sometimes it is easier this way, especially on thick coax where it’s hard to get the pl 259 on. All that is need is about a half inch of braid.
Put the pl259 and do not break the center conductor in the process. Check to make sure your braid is showing in the holes. Trim the conductor to the tip of the pl 259. Hold the coax between your knees. Solder the center conductor into the tip.
Rest your knees. Smoke a doobie or cuss at people on the radio.
Hold the coax between your knees. Solder the braid. Really picky guys will want to use a 100 watt soldering iron or a butane torch. I am a very half assed person, and can solder things so the customer can't tell the difference with a 23 watt iron, if it is a good connector. THe owner of Wild Willy's Wattage Cottage taught me this. For the most part these things are very forgiving, and they don’t have to look or be perfect.
Any extra solder that is around the PL 259 you can peel off with your teeth. Do not swallow the solder.
Since I am half assed, I do not have an ohm meter either. Put the coax on your radio. Check to see if your SWR isn’t over 3. If it isn’t then it’s ok.
That will be 5 dollars sir.
*hands
*teeth
*knees
*steak knife, razor blade, sharp instruments
*vice grips, pliers, whatever
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