Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have always resorted to buying premanufactured coaxial cable. I recently picked up two spools of 30.5 meters of RG-8x and one 30.5 meter spool of RG-58A/U. They were free. I purchased a large bag of PL-259 ends. This video has helped tremendously. All stations I have set up have always had premanufactured coaxial cable installed. I can not believe I have installed and configured so many radio stations over the years and never knew how to put ends on coaxial cable. However, I am not an amateur radio operator.
Hey dude, really loved this video, thanks so much for breaking it right down in detail. I run an LPFM Rock radio station. Being based in New Zealand, we are disadvantged due to location and were always having to import preassembled LMR-400 runs. Now I have a spool and stock of 50 crimp connectors. Not only is this a huge cost savings (assembly labor & shipping), but it also means I can fix anything on the fly now without having to wait weeks for a delivery. Love your work. This kiwi has subscribed. Rock on Mike🤘
Thanks for the excellent video. Started crimping BNC's a while back but wasn't sure about crimping PL 259's. You answered my question about the center conductor (solder). Bought all the stuff to crimp a year ago and now am replacing an antenna and feedline. So after decades of installing connectors the old way (always hated it; never really got a clean looking job) I'm looking forward to crimping. 73's Bill/KG6DZ
I've done probably a dozen PL259s since becoming a ham.. Never and never until I saw this video did I think to take off the outter piece and thread it on. It made a whole world of difference on my latest crimp.
Great video, thanks! I'm not a ham, but I run GMRS in my race car and really wanted to shed almost 10' of cable after installing a new antenna. Never done it before, but this tutorial was *exactly* what I needed. Got it done and had a chat on one of our local repeaters ~50 miles away, through the back wall of my shop. I think that'll work just fine at the track :D
Thanks for the video! It's not rocket-science, but it has been many years since I've done it. Your quick and clear video gave me the refresher I needed.
73 Sir! Newish Tech here. This video was quite timely. Looking to get some PL259 and coax and do my own cables. Also need to get some Anderson Power Connectors and crimpers as well. Hope to hear ya on the air sometime. Gotta get my General though. Stay safe out there.
@@hamradiotube I'm using RG8. Does anybody in this world know where I can get a simple wall feed through grommet to put it through the wall? They don't fricken exist on Amazon or E-Bay or Radio stores or NOTHING. It's rediculous. RG6 up the rear but no rg8. The most popular size in Radio.
Good afternoon Mike, what a great video. Over the years putting on pl-259 connectors was quite challenging. Especially when you had to solder the shield to the connector because I didn’t want to overheat the connector because I might melt the dielectric. But now since crimping is the way to go it just makes putting on connectors to the coax so much easier. With this information on this video I may want to start putting my own connectors to the coax now. But my thing is if I’m going to get the coax I’m going with M&P coax and their connectors. Again thanks for the info it’s always great to learn something new. WD5ENH Steve
One of your last comments was how you melted things when trying to solder - I don't feel so bad now. Soldering is something new to me - and I melted an N connector the other day. I am trying to build a 2m 1/4wavelength antenna out of coat hangers. I cannot get the vertical wire soldered to that chassis. Gonna keep trying. You put out some great videos. Thank you!! 73 K0JNS
I only use crimped plugs these days too. Good on bnc to rg174 for SOTA runs of light weight cables too, just sweat centre pin before crimping outer ring.
There is nothing, in life, one can not fix without Bob Ross's approach and philosophy to life. The world needs more people with Bob Ross's and Mr. Roger's philosophy and approach to life.
Lol, congrats on getting a Bing search top results listing for your oldest videos. Doubt you'll read this being so busy with M&P coaxial sales. I'm looking for any easy way to strip the foil shield from my Shireen cables.
I really miss Radio Shack. You used to be able to run in and grab PL-259's and many other things and get right back to work. Now everything goes on hold while you wait on Amazon for 2 or 3 days.
West Marine has a good selection of pl259's in store. From cheaper to the expensive gold plated for corrosive environments. Also the mil spec rg213 and a couple other sizes
I haven't put on a PL-259 in years. I've heard good things about these crimp-ons. The problem with soldering was it was hit and miss with soldering the braid. Not hot enough and you risk a cold solder joint. A little too much heat and you damage the coax. Soldering the center conductor was never a problem. It's not always necessary to solder the center conductor. It's "preferable", but if you were out in the field where a solder iron was not readily available you could skip soldering the center if you had to.
Nice, I like to use anti-oxidant compound on the shield before crimping. I also check continuity and resistance on the cable once finished. Be sure to wait till its 100% cooled.
I basically just bought a sailboat and need to replace a couple connectors and just found out that the ones I got from Amazon are just a tiny bit smaller than what I need, crimp sleeve won’t slide over white jacket. The inside is a little corroded but I have what I have. Guess I need to look at how much new wire cost but budget is getting thin.
Nice one .. well presented These are convienint for things like field and mobile but prefer the tighter screw /solder Also the one thing you forgot was to do a continuity check after fitting off checking for shorts and contact ... every coax lead should be checked before use . John vk3wr
This may be a stupid question lol but I have a hydraulic crimper (12awg-2/0) always used for ring terminals etc but could I use that for pl259 connectors? Or do I need to buy another tool?
I'm new to amateur radio, and got my golden ticket two days ago, and I have a travel trailer prewired for coax connection can I use that for a base or mobile radio hooke up to a antenna and would I have to change out the interior junction box to fit plf259 connector I'm curious to know. KQ4HCU 73
I wish I did this a long time ago. Soldering is good, but too much work when I am helping coworkers or friends run coax. It has always been a hassle and now will be simplified
I could have used this about a week ago. Hehe. I went through 5 connectors, shorting every single one out until I realized my coax cutter wasn't leaving enough of the white casing on the coax...
Search "marine heat shrink" I'm guessing you're already done, but commenting for future people. Side note you will never use regular heat shrink again once you try it. Buy it by the foot and foot and thank me later.
Oh man thats a tough question. They both serve their purposes. I would have to say the compressions might be a bit better because of the gasket inside that could prevent moisture coming up and into the shield. That can totally ruin your coax. I’m 50/50 honestly.
I tried making 3 and my radio doesn’t like any of them 😂 I said screw it and just ordered some pre made. If that doesn’t work at least I’ll know I’m not a moron but then that just means something is wrong with my equipment. I’m brand new to all of this and I’m hitting a wall at every turn it seems
Sweet. Won’t buy that stripper then. Looks like my Anderson crimped might work as well. Seems like I’m going to need too many crumpets if I keep going down this path
I am. But it wasn’t always that way. People will need to know how to crimp a pl-259 until they learn the ways of M&P. It’s a slow process taking over the world you know?
@@hamradiotube Someone should really do a video on the best quality crimp on PL-259 for RG8X. I recently fell down that rabbit hole 🐇 🕳 and haven't found my way out yet. Amphenol? DX Engineering? Silver plated? Brass body? Copper body? Is RG8X so lossy that it doesn't matter anyway?... Thanks ‐N7JSX
@@hamradiotube that's not the same, but your example is basically due to the Webster's dictionary, where Americans adopted all of these shortened versions of words. It's not correct English, however with Americans generally being so ignorant, they believe their version is not only the sole one, but also correct. I also laugh at how you literally pronounce words, particularly of French origin. Even bogan Australians have a better grasp on the English language and it's roots.
@@hamradiotube I just realised that you're the same guy that will not amend or delete your video on the PL259 compression plug installation, even though I clearly pointed out a very important flaw in the process, ie. order of assembly. You are completely new to these plugs, myself, I have been installing them for over a decade. You must correct this, how many times do I need to ask this of you? You reply to me with some dumb arse, irrelevant American spelling, which is wrong, yet do not bother to reply with what is important. There's all these people out there now that have installed their plugs incorrectly, likely risking their equipment. Will you pay for that, you bloody ignoramus?
It's a silent "L" in solder. Other words pronounced with a silent "L" are: Calf, Half, Talk, Could, etc. etc. What's so difficult to comprehend? Different areas of the world pronounce things differently. Generally speaking, solder is pronounced with a silent "L" in the United States, no big deal.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have always resorted to buying premanufactured coaxial cable. I recently picked up two spools of 30.5 meters of RG-8x and one 30.5 meter spool of RG-58A/U. They were free. I purchased a large bag of PL-259 ends. This video has helped tremendously. All stations I have set up have always had premanufactured coaxial cable installed. I can not believe I have installed and configured so many radio stations over the years and never knew how to put ends on coaxial cable. However, I am not an amateur radio operator.
Hey dude, really loved this video, thanks so much for breaking it right down in detail. I run an LPFM Rock radio station. Being based in New Zealand, we are disadvantged due to location and were always having to import preassembled LMR-400 runs. Now I have a spool and stock of 50 crimp connectors. Not only is this a huge cost savings (assembly labor & shipping), but it also means I can fix anything on the fly now without having to wait weeks for a delivery. Love your work. This kiwi has subscribed. Rock on Mike🤘
Thanks for the excellent video. Started crimping BNC's a while back but wasn't sure about crimping PL 259's. You answered my question about the center conductor (solder). Bought all the stuff to crimp a year ago and now am replacing an antenna and feedline. So after decades of installing connectors the old way (always hated it; never really got a clean looking job) I'm looking forward to crimping. 73's Bill/KG6DZ
I've done probably a dozen PL259s since becoming a ham.. Never and never until I saw this video did I think to take off the outter piece and thread it on. It made a whole world of difference on my latest crimp.
Great video, thanks! I'm not a ham, but I run GMRS in my race car and really wanted to shed almost 10' of cable after installing a new antenna. Never done it before, but this tutorial was *exactly* what I needed. Got it done and had a chat on one of our local repeaters ~50 miles away, through the back wall of my shop.
I think that'll work just fine at the track :D
Awesome, glad it helped.
Thanks for the video! It's not rocket-science, but it has been many years since I've done it. Your quick and clear video gave me the refresher I needed.
Great tutorial. You’ve inspired me to try this myself instead of buying pre-made cables
Thank you. You really made it simple. Now I just have to finally get a decent soldering iron/station. Any suggestions?
Perfect Demonstration. In 8min I've learned how to properly put crimp style connectors on my coax. Thank You - Much appreciated! Subscribed.
Never cared much for crimped R.F. connectors. I always use solder connectors, but this one looks solid. Great video instruction Mike!!!!
Thanks for the no-nonsense how to. Worked a treat!
73 Sir! Newish Tech here. This video was quite timely. Looking to get some PL259 and coax and do my own cables. Also need to get some Anderson Power Connectors and crimpers as well. Hope to hear ya on the air sometime. Gotta get my General though. Stay safe out there.
Take a look at the crimp tool kit from DX engineering. It has crimp dies for coax and Anderson connectors.
I'm sure it's good but my lord is it expensive!?
Just wanted to say I followed your tutorial, and my connection came out perfect first try!
Awesome!
@@hamradiotube I'm using RG8. Does anybody in this world know where I can get a simple wall feed through grommet to put it through the wall? They don't fricken exist on Amazon or E-Bay or Radio stores or NOTHING. It's rediculous. RG6 up the rear but no rg8. The most popular size in Radio.
Good afternoon Mike, what a great video. Over the years putting on pl-259 connectors was quite challenging. Especially when you had to solder the shield to the connector because I didn’t want to overheat the connector because I might melt the dielectric. But now since crimping
is the way to go it just makes putting on connectors to the coax so much easier. With this information on this video I may want to start putting my own connectors to the coax now. But my thing is if I’m going to get the coax I’m going with M&P coax and their connectors. Again thanks for the info it’s always great to learn something new.
WD5ENH
Steve
One of your last comments was how you melted things when trying to solder - I don't feel so bad now. Soldering is something new to me - and I melted an N connector the other day. I am trying to build a 2m 1/4wavelength antenna out of coat hangers. I cannot get the vertical wire soldered to that chassis. Gonna keep trying. You put out some great videos. Thank you!! 73 K0JNS
I only use crimped plugs these days too. Good on bnc to rg174 for SOTA runs of light weight cables too, just sweat centre pin before crimping outer ring.
Before crimping I like to test for an open between the ferrule and the center conductor. Easier to fix if there is a short.
loved your Bob Ross line!
There is nothing, in life, one can not fix without Bob Ross's approach and philosophy to life. The world needs more people with Bob Ross's and Mr. Roger's philosophy and approach to life.
Great Video, I will never solder a Pl-259 again. This is so much easier.
Thank you for this. I was able to do my first UHF connector today!
Can you give me the name/model number (or the link) to the crimpers that you are using in this video.
Lol, congrats on getting a Bing search top results listing for your oldest videos. Doubt you'll read this being so busy with M&P coaxial sales. I'm looking for any easy way to strip the foil shield from my Shireen cables.
May I have the Name and link to the Crimper tool that you used in this video. Thanks
I really miss Radio Shack. You used to be able to run in and grab PL-259's and many other things and get right back to work. Now everything goes on hold while you wait on Amazon for 2 or 3 days.
for real man. internet ruins everything.
West Marine has a good selection of pl259's in store. From cheaper to the expensive gold plated for corrosive environments. Also the mil spec rg213 and a couple other sizes
Yeah I miss going into Radio Shack too.😢
Well presented Mike
I haven't put on a PL-259 in years. I've heard good things about these crimp-ons. The problem with soldering was it was hit and miss with soldering the braid. Not hot enough and you risk a cold solder joint. A little too much heat and you damage the coax. Soldering the center conductor was never a problem. It's not always necessary to solder the center conductor. It's "preferable", but if you were out in the field where a solder iron was not readily available you could skip soldering the center if you had to.
Just the video I was looking for. I do well with visual instructions.
Nice, I like to use anti-oxidant compound on the shield before crimping. I also check continuity and resistance on the cable once finished. Be sure to wait till its 100% cooled.
Hey saw your spot for Huntsville. How long are you going to be there? Just a couple hours or camping?
Great Informative video 7:41
Don't forget to test your coax cable for conductivity once you have completed the job & before you use it.
Finally got you at Huntsville today! Good signal into Florida.
Very cool!
Just wondering which brand of connector you use? Amazon, HRO, Gigaparts, or some other ham retailer???
What crimp tool do you use ? K4QLJ
I basically just bought a sailboat and need to replace a couple connectors and just found out that the ones I got from Amazon are just a tiny bit smaller than what I need, crimp sleeve won’t slide over white jacket. The inside is a little corroded but I have what I have. Guess I need to look at how much new wire cost but budget is getting thin.
How does one "basically" buy anything? You either bought it or not!
Nice work 👌 I need to try this crimped pl259 now 😅
You will never go back to soldering that outer shield again! Crimping is the way.
I really appreciate your informative videos. Keep it up. Thanks.
Nice one .. well presented
These are convienint for things like field and mobile but prefer the tighter screw /solder
Also the one thing you forgot was to do a continuity check after fitting off checking for shorts and contact ... every coax lead should be checked before use .
John vk3wr
This may be a stupid question lol but I have a hydraulic crimper (12awg-2/0) always used for ring terminals etc but could I use that for pl259 connectors? Or do I need to buy another tool?
Nice but my coax has an aluminum shield that will not separate from the dielectric. What am I to do then?
Hello. What is the model and name of an electrician's folding knife?
Thank you.
Really great, simple explanation. Thanks!
You're welcome!
Great video! im just now using crimp connectors! 73!
I like heatshrink with adhesive. It gives me a warm fuzzy.
If the center conductor is tarnished, is the whole length of cable bad, or can you cut back a few inches at a time to see if it becomes bright?
You might could keep cutting it back until you get to nice shiny wire. May or may not happen but anything is possible.
I'm new to amateur radio, and got my golden ticket two days ago, and I have a travel trailer prewired for coax connection can I use that for a base or mobile radio hooke up to a antenna and would I have to change out the interior junction box to fit plf259 connector I'm curious to know.
KQ4HCU
73
I wish I did this a long time ago. Soldering is good, but too much work when I am helping coworkers or friends run coax. It has always been a hassle and now will be simplified
As usual another excellent video!
Are the crimp-on PL259 connectors cable-size-specific?
Oh how the wife is going to love me buying more tools, cable, connectors, etc.
What are you talking about? You've had that tool forever!
I could have used this about a week ago. Hehe. I went through 5 connectors, shorting every single one out until I realized my coax cutter wasn't leaving enough of the white casing on the coax...
Good instructional vid and the Bob Ross happy little accident brought back great memories. 73. Kc0dfi
Nice video. Thanks. So where can I find a table with the crimp sizes for various coaxes? I'm always eyeballing it. 73. Bob, WK2Y
I don't know, but I'll expect a full report on your findings when you get one.
DX Engineering has one. The typical ferrule crimps are:
0.213" - RG-58
0.255" - RG-8X, LMR-240
0.429" - RG-213, LMR-400
@@bigfootape thanks
Appears that 0.255 should have been used in this video not 0.213.
Such a friendly Elmer! 73
Mike you get any mail from me yet? Lol I guess I could email you to find out. I was at hamfest in Dallas yesterday. Met Jason finally. Good times.
I did, thank you! I emailed you. Did you not get it?
Thanks Mike!
Excellent! Thank you! :)
Very helpful, thanks
Thank You. Very Helpful
You're welcome!
Dumb question from a dude still studying for tech. What glue do you use? Thanks
I'm not using any glue
He didn't use glue, but the heat shrink tubing he used has a "heat activated glue" inside it, making the connection more watertight.
Search "marine heat shrink" I'm guessing you're already done, but commenting for future people. Side note you will never use regular heat shrink again once you try it. Buy it by the foot and foot and thank me later.
I use these for everything from rg58 up to 9913f7, haven't found anything better 😊
Thanks for sharing
Great video
do you like the crimp or compression pl259s better
Oh man thats a tough question. They both serve their purposes. I would have to say the compressions might be a bit better because of the gasket inside that could prevent moisture coming up and into the shield. That can totally ruin your coax. I’m 50/50 honestly.
@@hamradiotube Thank you! 73's K1CXS
Thank you Sir,!
Like your video, but for some reason my barrel will not go over my coax. Not big enough.
Thanks for the vid!
you bet my callsign doppelgänger.
100. Excellent tips
Nice and quick.
Is that coax RG8X?
ua-cam.com/video/QNmyGA9LHes/v-deo.html
73 Mike!
Thank you 🙏
I tried making 3 and my radio doesn’t like any of them 😂 I said screw it and just ordered some pre made. If that doesn’t work at least I’ll know I’m not a moron but then that just means something is wrong with my equipment. I’m brand new to all of this and I’m hitting a wall at every turn it seems
It takes practice. You'll get it. We all start at zero. It's only up from here. Welcome to the hobby!
I thought the point of crimping was to keep from soldering.
I know my Elmer is rolling over in his grave for watching a video of crimping a pl-259
why are dies so expensive
All the info and no crimping pliers info
Sweet. Won’t buy that stripper then. Looks like my Anderson crimped might work as well. Seems like I’m going to need too many crumpets if I keep going down this path
Mike KG6YTG Good job.
👍👍
I thought you were a M&P guy lol.
I am. But it wasn’t always that way. People will need to know how to crimp a pl-259 until they learn the ways of M&P. It’s a slow process taking over the world you know?
It would be nice if M&P made a connector for RG8X
@@hamradiotube Someone should really do a video on the best quality crimp on PL-259 for RG8X. I recently fell down that rabbit hole 🐇 🕳 and haven't found my way out yet. Amphenol? DX Engineering? Silver plated? Brass body? Copper body? Is RG8X so lossy that it doesn't matter anyway?...
Thanks ‐N7JSX
You could have crimped the end too. No soldering needed.
No no no, the 0.213 is just for RG213 (just a joke before anyone gets triggered.)
213, not .223 lol!!
LoL .213 is for crimping RG58
.429 is for crimping 213. It's also an ammo size. Much bigger than.223
I'm not sure why you use crimpers. I just use me teethes. Smokin Ape showed me.
Lol, I'll bet he does.
I find it difficult to trust a man with such a small wristwatch.
Just say no to cheap & crappy crimp ons.
Why do Americans say sodder? There's clearly an L in there. That one's always had me stuffed.
Same reason you say Al You Mini Um. You add an extra I. It's spelled aluminum. Ah Loo Min Um. Check and mate good sir.
@@hamradiotube that's not the same, but your example is basically due to the Webster's dictionary, where Americans adopted all of these shortened versions of words. It's not correct English, however with Americans generally being so ignorant, they believe their version is not only the sole one, but also correct. I also laugh at how you literally pronounce words, particularly of French origin. Even bogan Australians have a better grasp on the English language and it's roots.
@@hamradiotube I just realised that you're the same guy that will not amend or delete your video on the PL259 compression plug installation, even though I clearly pointed out a very important flaw in the process, ie. order of assembly. You are completely new to these plugs, myself, I have been installing them for over a decade. You must correct this, how many times do I need to ask this of you? You reply to me with some dumb arse, irrelevant American spelling, which is wrong, yet do not bother to reply with what is important. There's all these people out there now that have installed their plugs incorrectly, likely risking their equipment. Will you pay for that, you bloody ignoramus?
@@hamradiotube btw, I say el a min e um.
It's a silent "L" in solder. Other words pronounced with a silent "L" are: Calf, Half, Talk, Could, etc. etc. What's so difficult to comprehend? Different areas of the world pronounce things differently. Generally speaking, solder is pronounced with a silent "L" in the United States, no big deal.
Which is recommended for a vhf marine installation. R8 or r213. Also is dialectic grease a good idea
RG-8X for cable runs that are less than 50 ft. RG-213 for over 50ft
Great video, most informative. KC3JJH
thanks Mike! KK7SWB
I really appreciate your informative videos. Keep it up. Thanks.