wrote in message
...
In rec.radio.amateur.antenna gareth wrote:
What's the solution to soldering through to the underlying braid in a
PL259
if the only
soldering iron small enough to engage the holes is a low-power jobbie?

Buy or borrow tools appropriate to the task.


That is the way to do it. Get a big soldering iron that will really put the
heat to it. I have used a Weller soldering gun in the past, but now use a
100 watt iron. I bought a used one at a hamfest. I think you can get some
at the Hobby Lobby store if in the US. They sell them to people that make
things out of leaded glass sort of like the old church windows.

Switch to the silver type connectors as they solder beter. If still using
the plated brass ones, take a file and cut the plating back to the brass
where you want to solder. Putting a little liquid flux on sometimes helps,
especially if the braid is all copper and not tinned.

I just about quit soldering connectors. Bought a crimp tool and crimping
them on now. You can get a crimping tool for around $ 20 and the connectors
are aboout the same or less in cost.