Soldering VHF antenna cable

[eriks]

I was hoping someone could give some advice on this.
I am trying to join two coaxial cables together using soldered PL-259 connectors. The one cable is not having any solder stick to it when I’m trying to do tinning before assembly of the connector. Does it just need flux?
Would it just be easier and smarter just going with crimp fittings instead?

 

[bones]

you would need to flux the wire, if it were me i would crimp or use thread on connectors, soldering is a cold joint and will give you problems down the road with vibration

 

[SteelyDan]

Save yourself the headache and get the gold plated crimp on one lol.

 

[trophywife]

I was hoping someone could give some advice on this.
I am trying to join two coaxial cables together using soldered PL-259 connectors. The one cable is not having any solder stick to it when I’m trying to do tinning before assembly of the connector. Does it just need flux?
Would it just be easier and smarter just going with crimp fittings instead?

pre heat... just like a copper joint.

 

[bigdogeh]

dip the cable end you are trying to tin/solder in liquid flux... dip the solder iron in flux just before adding flux cored solder. (don't use RHOS solder if you can help it...) And make sure you have enough heat... what wattage is your soldering iron?

maybe check out a couple of these video's...
https://www.google.ca/search?q=sold...7oXaAhVE2GMKHY6VB9wQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1320&bih=729

 

[ericl]

http://www.hcarc.us/articles/soldering PL-259 connectors.htm

If this is for an on-the -water application realize that there are reliability issues. Many idiots will tell you they did it & it worked fine, but as a former FAA certified Avionics electronic tech, I would not advise it unless you have not other option.