I want to buy a crimper for RG8x and RG8. I don't have any doubt the crimp/solder connections will work excellent. I have been using crimp-on BNCs for years...and they're not only awesome, but I can also get them at Lowes when I get a crazy project in mind and can't wait.
Most folks don't use an adequate soldering iron on PL-259s, and that's where they run into problems. Big Iron, get in and get out, then and cool quickly on a damp towel. Have never had problems doing them like that...but if you sit there with a 40 watt iron all day you're going to screw it up.
I picked up a couple cables a while back from a CB shop....and they had done a terrible job on them. Had to cut the ends off and redo them. I have several pre-made cables that are crimped and they're all perfect.
Garbage...solder wasn't wetted to the PL259, let alone the braid. Popped it off with my fingernail. Braid was trimmed very poorly and showed a dead short at DC.
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