Ham Radio – A contact sport

In October 2007, I posted that I had purchased a ratcheting coax crimp connector tool for PL-259s.  A year later, results with the crimped connectors have been good. I’m still using the crimped PL259s, but from time-to-time I still need to install a traditional PL259s.

Preparing coax for PL259s has always been a painful task. I’m sure there are some folks who have mastered it, but I’ve always had a difficult time… butchering the braid, mangled center conductors, too much jacket removed… if there’s a way to mess up a PL259 installation, I’ve done it.

In November, I received a birthday present that has greatly helped with coax connector preparation: the DX Engineering DXE-UT-8213 Coaxial Cable Stripping Tool.

I have written a review of the DXE-UT-8213 on the Ham Radio Product Reviews section of the site.

Using the DXE-UT-8213 to simplify PL259 installation

If after reading my review, you are thinking about purchasing this tool, I’d suggest that you first watch DX Engineering’s short video demo.

I’ve found the tool to be almost as easy to use as they show in that video. The tool is not cheap, but it helps remove some of the frustration associated with this task.

The tool is very simple to use. Simply insert the coax (I have the equivalent of LMR-400) in the end labeled 1st cut and twist.

The shield will exit the tool as waste as you twist. Keep twisting until the tool spins freely around the coax. Then remove it.

 

 

 

 

You should see a flush cut down to the center conductor.

After that, insert the coax into the other end of the tool and twist until it spins freely.

This last picture isn’t quite as good as I’d hoped, but this was undoubtedly the best looking coax end I’ve prepared for installing a PL-259. Wow.

Ok, you know the last step. Add the PL259 (push it until the center conductor peeks through the end) and solder. Viola! A great looking PL259 installation.