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1-9 of 9 messages
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mounting PL259 connector on LMR400
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by KE5BCG on October 31, 2005
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I have carefully spread the braid so that it's all a single strand "thick" and just can't get the core of the PL259 to go over it. The teflon core looks like it's too thick.
I'm working bare-handed and just not making any progress. How much force can I apply? Something must be wrong here.
Thaks
Pete
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RE: mounting PL259 connector on LMR400
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by K5LXP on October 31, 2005
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LMR-400 uses different PL-259 connectors than RG-8. Outfits like CablExperts, Tessco, et al sell them.
Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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RE: mounting PL259 connector on LMR400
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by WB2WIK on October 31, 2005
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Wait a min, that's not quite true. Any standard PL-259 fits LMR-400 exactly, and perfectly without any modification to the cable or the connectors. I've installed hundreds of these on LMR-400s and use ordinary Amphenol 83-1SP PL-259s.
You *don't* peel back the braid of LMR-400 for this operation, where'd you hear that? That won't work at all. The correct procedure is the same as installing a PL-259 on regular RG-213/U.
The braid must remain in place exactly as it was originally, and the only thing you strip is the black vinyl jacket. Leave the braid right where it was, under the jacket and tightly braided over the foil. The best way to prepare the LMR-400 cable end is with a sharp (new) single-edged razor blade, cutting through the vinyl jacket, braid, foil and dielectric all in one single slice and leaving only the center conductor, stripping all else (with a single cut) back about 3/4" from the end of the cable.
Now, you have a copper plated aluminum center conductor sticking out and the rest of the cable fully intact.
Now, measure back 1/2" from the edge of the vinyl jacket and use much less pressure to strip only the jacket, and leave the braid, foil and dielectric intact. This only takes gentle pressure, not the several pounds the first "strip" requires.
Pull off the jacket.
Push the PL-259 over the end of the cable so the center conductor protrudes through the end of the center pin and when you hit an obstruction, that will be the cable jacket hitting the internal threads in the PL-259 body.
Rotate the PL-259 body clockwise while applying gentle pressure to the connector, and it will screw itself on to the cable jacket. About four full rotations are required to fully assemble the connector on to the cable, and when you're done, it won't twist on any more, and you'll see the braid showing through the PL-259 body solder holes.
This entire process takes fifteen seconds if you know what you're doing. It can take forever, and never come out right, if you don't.
WB2WIK/6
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RE: mounting PL259 connector on LMR400
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by VA7IC on October 31, 2005
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I completely agree with WB2WIK. I've put dozens of PL 259's on LMR 400 using the procedure he describes. It takes a little muscle power to get the PL 259 over the outer sheath sometimes. Use a pair of pliers should help to screw the PL 259 on. All of the refernece books I have show that the PL 259 is used for both LMR-400 and RG-213
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RE: mounting PL259 connector on LMR400
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by N6AJR on October 31, 2005
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yep, the cut to the center confuctor, then cut off the jacket 1/2 inch back is the way to go. I use a pair of vicegrips on the connector to screw it on. that stuff is pretty tough..
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RE: mounting PL259 connector on LMR400
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by K5LXP on October 31, 2005
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There are connectors made/sold for the LMR series of coax, just as there are for 9913, and a number of other "RG-8" types of coax. There is a myriad of combinations of center conductor size (.085 to .120), dielectric size and type, and shielding (braid, double braid, foil braid, etc.). When ordering LMR-400 I always order the matching Times connectors and it's never a battle to fit them on. With the flood of cheap import 259's out there, one must also be careful of out of spec product. It may be possible to fit a 'standard' PL-259 on LMR-400 but it sure is easy with the manufacturer's connector offering.
<http://www.timesmicrowave.com/wireless/index.shtml>
Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
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RE: mounting PL259 connector on LMR400
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by N1URE on October 31, 2005
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Ok, It's most likely not the cable or the connector. But, I have found that if you are using wire cutters that are not sharp, they will tend to flatten out the center conductor. This creates the problem you have. So your not crazy (:->). If you use flex LMR it's becomes more of an issue. I have done many �N� connectors with LMR 400 and ultra flex and they require an really clean cut.
Regards
Larry N1URE
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RE: mounting PL259 connector on LMR400
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by WB2WIK on November 1, 2005
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N1URE made a great point.
I don't know if that's the problem here or not, but it is very true that you cannot cut a thick piece of wire using diagonal cutters ("dikes") and have the end of the wire come out round. It's impossible, because side cutters like this pinch the wire off and do flatten it out, creating a larger dimension than the original wire diameter.
Anyone working with cutting wire should own at least one pair of actual wire cutters (not diagonal cutters or side cutters). These look like two opposing half-moons that actually *cut* the wire without pinching it or changing its shape. Good ones can cost $50 or so.
WB2WIK/6
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RE: mounting PL259 connector on LMR400
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by N3NYC on November 2, 2005
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One thing to remember, though, is that LMR-400 is pretty stiff compared to RG-8, and except for the longest runs and situations where the SWR is high (4:1 and up), the flexiblity of the RG-8 may outweigh the lower loss of the LMR-400.
I'm helping an elderly ham get an antenna up, and we (me and my two helpers-- or was I one of the helpers HI HI) had a devil of a time trying to fit a PL-259 on the LMR-400 the OM had bought. Given that: 1) for 40 and 80 meters (the OM's favorite bands) the low-loss characteristic of LMR-400 is gross overkill; and 2) the run from the OM's shack to the antenna was only about 110 feet; and 3) the coax had to make quite a few bends in places where a loop couldn't stick out very far; we suggested he swap the LMR-400 for some good-quality RG-8. He'll have a neater installation, and we'll still have some hair left when we're done.
73 de Hale, N3NYC
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