PL 259 coax connector

[goboatingnow]

Agree the crimp is best

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Jammer

This.

It's actually not a bad system. The center conductor is easy and forgiving to solder. You crimp the shield, which is the best way, as soldering the shield is difficult.

Not sure which is less reliable - a crimp by someone who doesn’t know how or a solder joint by someone who doesn’t know how.

In either case, the limitation is the operator, not the method but if one knows how to do both, soldering the coax connector is always preferable.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

ETA the tool has a separate stripper

... which you haven't shown, so it's hard to comment on it.

If this stripper is failing, just use a decent knife. Rough guide:

1. Slide the necessary bits (sleeve, heat shrink, knurled ring) on the cable
2. Remove about 1 3/4" of the cable's outer jacket. Use minimal knife pressure; you don't want to nick the braid.
3. Don't worry yet about cutting braid, just tease it open and spread out.
4. From instructions hopefully packed with the connector, figure out how much of the inner insulation needs to come off. Again, just light pressure on the knife so the inner conductor isn't nicked.
5. Now, test-fit everything. There should be lots of the center conductor sticking out; that's good. Don't cut it yet. You can trim the braid now, or do it after crimping.
6. Assuming everything fits, slide the sleeve on as far as possible, and crimp.
7. Now solder the center, and trim it. I always do this last, whether the rest is crimp or solder.
8. Heat shrink.