Installing a PL-259 (UHF male) on RG-58, RG-59, RG-8X and others (014)

Installing a UHF male (PL-259) on smaller coax like RG-58 and RG-8X using a reducer has never been very satisfying. I was never very impressed with the long term electrical and mechanical reliability ... until now!
Follow these simple instructions to install a a PL-259 on your smaller coax to produce a very reliable connection that will last a LONG time and give you warm fuzzies!
Here is a link to the original document authored by Dan Richardson, K6MHE:
drive.google.com/file/d/16glY...

[@sa5vox465]

FINALLY someone that gives a proper instruction how to deal with this weird reducer version of the PL259!! Thank you Ralph!
I have never been a fan of these and have had some ideas "how to" but none that made sense but this solution does. Great video! 👍🙂

[@eie_for_you]

Thanks! I had struggled with those pesky things, too, until I discovered this method. Glad it helps!

[@XBKLYN]

In 46 years of installing these things both professionally and as a ham I've never seen this technique. I just tried it on a run of RG8X and it looks 100% factory with no overheated dielectric or melted outside jacket. Great technique, I'm a convert. Thanks Ralph!

[@eie_for_you]

Well, my friend, I cannot take the credit. I learned it from someone else and loved it so much, I just had to share. I'm glad you like it too! 🙂

[@Joesam701]

Thank you Ralph! This is the BEST video I can find on TH-cam for soldering RG58 to a PL259 connector and I now feel confident in doing the project myself! 🙂

[@eie_for_you]

Glad it helped! :-)

[@HarishKottayam]

Thank you so much for this video.. finally I understood all the errors i used to do while prepping rg58 and pl259.. 🙏🙏

[@eie_for_you]

You are very welcome! 🙂

[@1oldtexan922]

I learned this back in 1970 as a helper in a radio shop ran by WB5MPX

[@eie_for_you]

The crazy thing is that I only learned this in the last 10 years. I'm glad I did! 🙂

[@1oldtexan922]

@@eie_for_you makes the job much easier.

[@johnregan9644]

Thanks for posting this. Just what I was looking for!

[@eie_for_you]

You are very welcome! 🙂

[@GREGGRCO]

My old boss decades ago would scrap off the plating around the holes, up and down, on the main body. The body would heat up instantly. I love how strong the mechanical connection is to the insert. Great video. Thanks again.

[@eie_for_you]

I've done this to some extent. We want nice, clean solderable metal available to the process. Of course, if we have the more expensive silver plated connectors, a good solder paste cleans things up nicely and keeps the advantage of the silver plating. 🙂

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

Best explanation and demonstration i have seen.

[@eie_for_you]

It sure makes a better connection and WAY easier, too! Glad you liked it.

[@TacticalSBR]

Thank you. I need to make several test leads and am now confident that they will be quality-made. -73 KQ4RCR

[@eie_for_you]

You are welcome! I think you will love how they come out! 🙂

[@bobt219]

THANK YOU!!!

[@eie_for_you]

You are welcome! 🙂

[@kc4tlm]

Thanks for the technique I can't wait to try this out later today. 73 DE KC4TLM

[@eie_for_you]

You are very welcome! I find it works very well and gives a nice, mechanically robust installation. 🙂

[@GREGGRCO]

Excellent ! Thanks, Ralph !!

[@eie_for_you]

You are very welcome! 🙂

[@josephknudson5097]

Thank you for your help. God bless you.

[@eie_for_you]

You are very welcome! 🙂

[@bruceholsted2127]

Good trick with that reducer.

[@eie_for_you]

It sure makes for a much more robust connection! 🙂

[@renju81rtc1]

Very nice usefull.....😁

[@eie_for_you]

Thanks!

[@danieljohnson8437]

Howdy Ralph.

[@eie_for_you]

Howdy! :-)

[@terryboyle]

please provide the make of the connectors you used and if possible a link to purchase them. Thank you VA3TBQ

[@eie_for_you]

Well ... I tend to go with Amphenol RF connectors. Certainly not the least expensive.
Here is a list of potential UHF connectors as listed on DigiKey:
www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/coaxial-connectors-rf/coaxial-connector-rf-assemblies/437?s=N4IgjCBcoEwBxVAYygMwIYBsDOBTANCAPZQDaIAzHAOwCcALDCALqEAOALlCAMocBOASwB2AcxABfQgDYADIhApIGHAWJkQMKtICs81iE7c%2BQsZMJxZEaIrRY8hEpHL0w1CjB0t2XSLwEi4lLgukw2SioO6s4g9LJ6skwGRn4mgeYgALTWyHaqjhpgYF7MEsFh5ACqABIAYgAESETCwrhIHET82N4gXjZsUGDsA5BgsrJlQA
Here is a link to the list of reducing adapters at Digikey:
www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/coaxial-connectors-rf/coaxial-connector-rf-accessories/342?s=N4IgjCBcoCwOxVAYygMwIYBsDOBTANCAPZQDaIMYcAzAKzUgC6hADgC5QgDKbATgJYA7AOYgAvoTAAOGIhApIGHAWJkQ1AJy14s5iHaceAkeMJSADBGjy0WPIRKRylGgCZaTVh0jc%2BQ0RIgALRWyLbKDmpgYB6MYvFAA

[@johnbauman4005]

Is "soldering paste" aka flux?
Thx!
John

[@eie_for_you]

Good evening John!
Solder Paste is, yes, flux, but is in paste form. This this
www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/chip-quik-inc/RA891/12352196

[@rt83021]

What solder paste did you use?

[@eie_for_you]

I have some really **OLD** stuff I use. Digikey has these that would work:
315-RA691-ND
or
315-RA891-ND

[@rt83021]

@@eie_for_you I have some Oatey No.5 here, I read that the only difference between No.5 and N0. 95 flux is the 95 has some solver powder in it. Apparently it works for electronic per a model railroad site.

[@doc145]

No that is flux for plumbing. Never use that on wiring or PCB’s.

[@eie_for_you]

@@doc145 True that ... just looked it up.

[@eie_for_you]

@@rt83021 this is plumbing flux not for electronics circuits. Leaves too much corrosive residue behind.