I swore off ever instaling my own coax connectors 30 years ago, when I had failure after failure and all I got from other hams was sneers instead of help. It's been all store-bought ready-made since then. Needless to say, it's an inefficient workaround at best. Fast-forward a few decades and RU-vid has empowered the real hams to out-shout the posers. Thanks very much, Jim. Not only did I learn how to make my own cables, you updated my coax knowledge significantly. (For example, I am/was still using RG 58!)
That's great Rob. Good that you can do them. I spent part of yesterday with powerpoles. What a pain in the rear. I used them on the motors of the tower installation. I used the really big ones first and then the small ones (rated at 45 amps). I had one melt down. Probably the contact was not fully seated like I thought it was. My power supply is homebrew with a variac. The transformers is good for 50 amps at 24 volts with 1000mfd. I am trying to lessen noise by slowing the motors that raise the tower. So far that works. I will be making lots of coax cables soon from the tower to the radio room. Nice going Rob and great to hear from you. 73, Jim
HI Jim W6LG Thank you so much for this video. It really helped me a lot on picking what type of PL-259 to go with. I am new to the hobby just getting into it and sharing it with my 8-year son too. Love your video and thank you for taking the time to make the Ham Radio Basics videos. They are helping me. Keep up the great work and sharing your expertise and knowledge.
Nice work Jim. As always, love your casual style and your sense of humor. Good recommendations on tools. Lots of junk out there. Your products have always served me well. Great quality and at a fair price. 73, George K2WO
+k2wo1 Wow, thank you George. It is very kind of you to write. I did put the crimp tool on sale at the lowest price of $40 including 2 dies to do almost all sizes of coax. It does not do RG174. That is a mistake in the graphic that I just now saw. 73, Jim W6LG
I enjoy your helpful videos and the amateur radio history lessons you often include. During your fire story when you said "crank-out casement windows with the aluminum frame..." the expression on your face was EPIC! Don't ever say you have a face for radio.
I have thoughly enjoyed your postings. Very practical, Great information and clear and concise information. Having started in electronics back in the late '70's where I delt with FCC part 15. Very refreshing being in the analog world with a great touch of common sense.
While highly frustrated by having to buy too-long coax feed-lines, I was intimidated by the task of building my own. This video changed all that. After half a dozen, I still can't beat your time, but my problem is solved nonetheless. Thanks for the excellent and enabling tutorial. BTW, DX Engineering sells an excellent crimp-on PL-259.
After hearing your reasons for DIY cable connectors, starting @ approx. 1:00 mark in video, it reminds me of what I tell others (most likely too many times) -- if you want something done right, do it yourself. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos and share your knowledge with us. Raymond - WF7BSR (yes, changed email)
Always enjoy your videos Jim; in fact, I'd almost rather listen to yours & K7AGE's videos than talk on the radio. Got my ticket in 1960 at the age of 12 & upgraded to General on my 13th birthday. Back in those days, we had to install all of our own PL-259s. I didn't catch the house on fire but I burned my fingers more than once during the process of installing a connector. Keep up the good work. DE Lynn, K5AVJ
Jim, Thanks for this video. I plan to crimp some coax connections after soldering for years, I don't have the patience any longer. I was hoping to put the connector on in one minute, but since you've proven it takes two minutes, I guess I will have to shorten my nap time by a minute to make up for all this extra time needed. Drat !! So many connectors, so little time !! '74 (That's '73 plus and extra digit to pay for that extra minute ! ) I'm looking forward to your video on how to put up a multi-element HF Yagi on a fifty foot tower in less than an hour. Now that's a video I can really learn from ! So far it's taking me several decades, but I'm making progress. "Hi, H" Keep up the good work. Your videos are extremely helpful, and your shack is a Ham Disneyland !!
Excellent. Thank you. I should check that old list I have and see if there was a 74. Likely there was. You probably know 88. I don't know where anything is at the moment because so much is in the garage in boxes on shelves that are sagging under the load. Thanks for watching and commenting. 73, Jim
Im new at it but Im glad to see Im not the only one that forgets the ferrules. Especially when you just finished doing your absolute best solder job. Shrink wrap no problem Ill tape it. I think Im in the camp of crimp ferrules and solder the center. Best of both worlds. Also easier to recover from lol.
followed this video and did my first pl259 install in a 1990 ford ranger where I fabbed a custom mount that mounted a 2-way radio antenna in the factory stereo antenna location and ran an antenna duplexer so that both the radio and the stereo could use the same antenna.
Good video Jim. Being a NASA solder in the past the only thing I could add is to use Flux. I tell the guys in the club "Flux is your friend! Now I hear them telling the new guys the same thing....
I hope you have fully recovered by now. I have been out of the hobby for 20 years now. When I was in I was pretty much limited to the UHF males sold by Radio Shack and wasn't even aware they sold these crimp on type. I never could solder and would either get a cold solder joint to the braid or would end up melting it into the plastic shield around the center conductor. I am glad to know this type of connection exists as I am saving up for a new station. 73 N8PEF
Well, some of my relatives from Russia did go to VK. They were known as Volga River Germans. Guys in VK are some of the nicest guys on the air. Not sure the if my English and Irish went there too. Look for me on 20 meters around 14200. 73, Jim
Installing a GP-3 antennae and didn't want to get the cheap Amazon pre-mades. Running the cable without the connectors is a huge advantage! Thanks for the info.
Thankz so much Jim but don’t go to too much trouble, I hope you are looking after yourself and you are actively fighting DVT. Have a lovely weekend Mate ! Richard vk2ual NSW Fire & Rescue 73z
Thanks. Getting to be a broke bloke! Building a new station has been expensive. The physical building has taken a lot of time and money. Thanks for watching Andrew. Regards, Jim Heath W6LG
Jim, could one use soldering flux? didn't look like you needed it. When I've soldered In the past I've used rosin core solder and flux. I was also curious if one could benefit with using anti oxidation "goop" on the other parts of the connector to help in wet climates in conjunction to the tape? Your videos are great, thanks!
Thanks Paul. As it turns out, and I just learned this today, hit the thumbs up or down. RU-vid measures that response along with some others in their formula. Thanks Paul for writing. 73, Jim Heath W6LG now in Rocklin, CA....100 degrees predicted high with 14% humidity. Fire season is here!
@@ham-radio where do you get your pl259. The crimping tools. Glad to see that you are getting better. Been fighting pneumonia off and on for about 3 months.
Just found your ch. Very timely! I'm setting up an new coax/antenna system from ZERO. Receive only at this time. Thinking of going with LMR 400 into a SO 239 to a "wall socket " type fixture,where the SO239 is in the room in a fixed location,and I can swap-out radio gear as needed. I'll need lighting suppression and all...any suggestions?? Thanks!
Towards the end of the video you disassemble a balun made with 6 ferrite cores. Could you elaborate on that design. Is that the same 1:1 current toroid balun that many people sell for antenna feed lines
Thanks. I am working on more videos at this time with some new video equipment I have cobbled together. Hopefully the audio and video will be a little better. Thanks Fraise! 73, Jim
Biggest issue here is no electronics outlet and tools are cheap locally sell. I would be very interested in supplier of pl259's bulk as always running put and waiting week for more.and who made that tool?
It would be very helpful to provide links to the products or at least a brand names of what you used in the video. I'm trying to get away from the soldered pl-259 plugs and adapters.
Hi,Thank you for writing. I am sending this same response to many. On Tuesday, November 2nd in the morning at 0300 I was taken by ambulance to the local hospital with severe shortness of breath. I had been having a problem breathing for more than a year. A blood test in the Emergency Room showed my D-Dimer score of 12,281. A D-Dimer of over 500 is considered high. I was told that I set a new record in the ER at 12K. My oxygen level was about 82%. A CT scan showed I had a bilateral pulmonary embolism with almost total blockage. I was close to dying. A powerful blood thinningmedication was injected many times over the next several days. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I was sent home Saturday evening. I was on oxygen full time for a few days and mostly at night. I must use a walker. I can only walk a short distance on a level surface. Treatment for the blood clots is 6 months. It will take that long for some of them to go away. While in the hospital many came by to ask me questions about how I was able to live the last few months. I had been to 3 doctors recently and not correctly diagnosed. The outlook is good. I must follow the doctor's orders carefully. I do not feel strong enough to have vistors and don't want to risk infection at this time. My wife is taking excellent care of me. I will beuploading a video about Pulmonary Embolism soon. All of us who sit for a long time are at risk. Again, thanks for your message. 73, Jim W6LG
Wow, very happy you are recovering. Good luck and keep up the great videos you provide. I really enjoyed the brief history on the name of the pl259 connector . This is the type of information you can't find any where except from word of mouth. Thanks again and speedy recovery.
Jim, Hope you are well by now! Remember to use your legs a lot. Many PE’s are the result of a DVT clot that throws off. Moving your legs10 minutes every hour will help cut DVT formation way down. Use any one of the long haul air flight methods. I’m sure you’re already doing this now but get your platelet levels checked regularly. Thanks for a great video on PL-259s!
Thanks for a good how-to video. I have never made a coax connection before (I'm 70) and I am running a coax for VHF radio on my small sailboat, up inside the aluminum mast 27 feet to connector on marine VHF antenna. This is one of those things that is easy the second time. Your video is very good help - thank you. How do I attach the female end? Does aluminum mast affect coax signal? Coax runs alongside 12 volt wires, do they affect coax signal? Does this coax carry both analog and digital signals? (old analog radio on boat, new ones are digital, useful or not. (I'm a Luddite) Male-female fittings at top & bottom of mast are exposed to salt water spray. How protect that male-female connection? That nifty grayco / rayco tape? Coax at base of mast comes out the side of mast, 6 inches of cable to another 6" of cable coming up through the deck from inside cabin where cable goes to marine VHF radio. I may coil an extra 3 feet in cabin to allow for moving radio, is that ok. After all that I don't know if antenna works/spreads signal). So many details: and I thought "just run another wire"! That's my adventure updating to VHF radio that works! Bud Budster, luddite in Virginia 7-10-2019
Hi JIm thanks for the video. I'mnew at this so pardon my basic questions. I want to install a roof-mount antenna on my car, for which I think I will need to install the PL-259 after the wire has been threaded through the vehicle. The cable is RG58/AU and it comes with a loose PL-259. Which wire stripper do I need - two blades or three? Do you have a video with this detail? many thanks, 73's WA2JOE Joe in NJ.
Hi, I sell the 2 bladed coax prep tool and that works fine. I think this video has what you need. If not, I can make another video with more detail if you want. 73, Jim W6LG www.hamcq.com
I have the problem of getting soder to flow on a pl 259 connector on the coax on gap antenna that is in my yard. I have a lot of nerves . my hand s shake. but I'm taking my mate out to try again as soon as I get some coax connectors. I have them on order.
Get the best quality connector. Some are garbage and the dielectric melts. Teflon is good. So silver plated PL250 with Teflon and a big Weller soldering iron. A small portable vise that you can clamp to the table outside will help. Also, also, name brand solder. Get both the wire and metal hot first. Both need to be clean. 73, Jim
Thank you, Jim...Great Video! I need lots of practice, with soldering...afraid to make a mistake. For practice purposes, can you desolder, and keep retrying? 73s, from N. Kentucky! KI6CMR
You can do it! Crimping is the best way to attach the shield. You can solder the pin. And that part is easy. Desoldering generally won't work all the well. 73, Jim
so what happened to Beldin RG8U ? in the 70’s I had a ton of RG8U and I wish I knew where it all went. how about a video on different types of ferrite cores, rods and snap on’s
I almost died from blood clots caused by MDS and Neutropenia with severe osteoporosis. I am hoping that the MDS does not become AML as happens to about half who have the disease. In my case, the MDS is trilineage and more likely to cause too many blasts. The short answer: I became too ill to work and had to retire. In my videos you don't see me on O2 and using a walker. 73, Jim W6LG
Thanks Tariq! Great to hear from you my friend. Things here are not so great at this time. There are large fires burning in CA. It is raining ash. We need it to rain water. It likely won't rain for another 2 months. Temperatures have been around 40c with very low humidity. Also the virus has been a big problem with thousands of SK in CA. In the US something like 175K died with around 1 million infected at sometime. So I am staying inside my QTH as much as possible. I have heard a few VU but no AP so far this year. I am just now back QRV. Inshallah we will have a QSO sometime. Take care my friend. 73, Jim in CA
@@ham-radio Best wishes to you and your family. It's been raining a lot here. I wish I could send some rain clouds there too. I hope it rains soon there. Many prayers for you and your family. 73, Tariq
Here is another possibility for you www.ebay.com/itm/2X-Waterproof-Clear-Rubber-Silicone-Electrical-Bonding-Tape-Repair-Patch-Seal/281447410507?epid=2254498659&hash=item418792ab4b:g:8ccAAMXQstJTlhUV
Suggestion: It's super clear that you have a high level of interest and enthusiasm for the history, backstories, etc. Your whole audience may not, or they may just be focused on getting the task accomplished that led them to your video. Consider focusing on the task earlier, and saving the context and commentary for later. Or consider including a time stamp so people who want to focus on the task can skip the history. If I want to know how to do something, I don't necessarily want to know all the history right up front. It was 5:44 into your video before you began working on the task... Just a thought.
thanks for asking. I had to close everything due to health problems than occurred out of the blue. The of what is seriously wrong is unfortunately, long and involved. I was not expected to survive one of those episodes. Right now we are self quarantined because the first person to die from that virus in the news was.....a neighbor. There are 40 million people in CA and we buy a house near to the carrier of the virus. 73, Jim
Hi Jim, with the dB not a big deal, just stick with 3dB is multiply by 2 and 10 dB is multiply by 10. Not much more to explain really In the UK max power is 26dB eg 20dB is 100W and the 6dB means 4 times that which is 400W. Just wanted to give you the confidence to keep that topic simple..
I am new to Ham Radio and learning. I want to do as much as I can to build what I need to get on frequency as cheap is possible but with good equipment. What is your web site address. I am an old Vietnam Nam Vet medically retired due to heart failure caused by Agent Orange. Limited income. Looking for a place to purchase things that I need that are good quality and a descent price. Who better to purchase from than another Ham. 73’s. KN4HNO.
@@ham-radio Thanks for the fast reply Jim. Its been a tough couple years for you and now settling in to new digs and a new shack. Hope you find time to relax more and can continue to Elmer us if you can.
I would not recommend doing it exactly like that. You do not apply antioxidant To the return ground. And soldering the center lead, in my opinion should be done first
Um, bit a gripe, Jim. I went to this videofor help and it was excellent. BUT... "I sell them on my website." Really? No link on this vid. No link on your home page. No link under Community or anywhere else that I can see. Cannot find what you were talking about?? 2nd point: Why did you not ID the brand and model numbers during the video? I don't even know where to look on my own. "Well, for more info see this video", was not forthcoming in the video either. So, if it was all clearly discussed elsewhere I have to confess that telepathy is not I skill I possess. Aargh! For those Gatekeepers who might flame me for critizing Jim, pls include the appropriate links at least. I am a subscriber.
I came down with serious cancer; Leukemia. Everything had to stop so I could be cared for by my XYL. I must use a wheelchair and a walker. I am being treated with chemotherapy. 73, Jim
@@ham-radio You did not owe me any explanation, but I respect that you offered one. Could you be kind enough to tell me the brand/model of the crimper? If any other subs know it that would be great too. Please accept my best wishes for your health and the informative videos you produce.
hey jim. dale here kf4dcy. i bought a pl259 for lmr600. not the expencive type that cime with instructions. what i paid for cane with no instructions out of china because they cost 4.95ish on ebay. it resembles timewave types. but dont have metal shim rings. and no way to solder it. it having a sealed center pin. and not removable. no way to solder. it's the clamp type, with gland nut. and two rubber o-rings to aid being weather tight.