Need help with coaxial vhf cable connection

[Dick Sorensen]

Got a new vhf antenna to install.....just read the instructions that came with the Shakespeare unit....and they talk about soldering around 'connector drum'....I'm not a great mechanic....done some wiring where I place the soldering gun under two wires and when hot enough, the solder on top and it flows together...how do I solder a 'drum' of metal....help?

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Need help with coaxial vhf cable connection

I think what their talking about is your co-ax barrel connector. I'm not sure why they want you to solder it though? It should be a screw-type if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Need help with coaxial vhf cable connection

Your going to do the same thing with the PL259 coax connector.
Frist mount your antenna in a place where the antenna can lay down on a flat surface.
Next screw the antenna on good and tight.
Drill the holes to get the end of the coax inside the boat where your radio is.
Then it will tell you how to get the coax ready to install the PL259 connector.
If the Coax is RG 8X or RG 58 will likely also come with and adapter you put on the coax.
Then strip and prepair the end of the Coax and the adapter put the outer screw on part on first then the adapter push the braid over the adapter and the center wire thru the end.
Screw it all together making sure no outer braid wire touches the Center wire.
Last step is to solder.
Trick here is to have a soldering iron that has enough power to heat the barrel of the connector and the braid wire quickly and solder thru the holes in the connector Quickly before the barrel get so hot that in will melt the center wire insulation.
Then solder the center wire to the tip and cut off the extra center wire.