Whose Using RG400 and a Mini Butane Torch

[NightThumper]

Whose using RG400 for jumpers in the shack and not just building chokes and amp repairs? Also what’s the consensus if it’s possible on the best butane torch for soldering?

Thanks
Brad
KE0XS
South of Pittsburgh

 

[dave457]

Hassle free if you buy premade

 

[buickid]

Skip the solder, unless it's for the center pin. Crimp type connectors are awesome!

 

[NightThumper]

Whelp it appears very few people are using RG400 for jumpers. On that note I’ve decided to take the leap and will be using RG400 for the majority of jumpers in the Shack. Will be using a combination of pre-made and a few custom made jumpers. I really like how the shield is soldered to the adapter in the Amphenol PL259 and the nearly un-meltable/indestructible dielectric. Went ahead and purchased two different butane torches. I’m using these for various circumstances. 1) flood soldering larger Anderson Power Poles, RG400 connector construction, Culinary uses, portable soldering when I’m on the roof, loosening rusted bolts, might even try using it on shrink wrap since it has a special tip for that, and of course how quickly I can burn myself. Yes I have propane, mapp torches, very hot irons and Weller adjustable soldering station with various tips. Everything should be here by tomorrow except for the “bacon wrapped” shrimp which is for the 4th.

 

[Ranch55]

Yes, I do use RG400 coax jumpers in my radio room and on my repair/test bench.
I use 6' and 3' jumpers ......

 

[Crawdad]

Everything should be here by tomorrow except for the “bacon wrapped” shrimp which is for the 4th.

At least you're not eating my kinfolk...........

 

[NightThumper]

So the Torches arrived today. Here is the Culinary torch which could be used for other purposes. This is strictly a torch. Nice feel/build. You have to pull back the red piece to open the butane flow. On first lite it has to be open pretty good as a low level won’t ignite. From there you can go from Full to a small flame. Purchased off Amazon for $29.99. So far I like it a lot. Come with or without a visible fuel gauge.

 

[NightThumper]

Here’s the second torch/soldering iron purchased off Amazon for $35.00. I bought a couple different sizes of conical tips, heat diffuser and small chisel tip. It lights no matter what the setting. Very easy to use and has a cap to cover the top…obviously don’t put the cap on while hot. Also has a visible fuel gauge/indicator. I like this one just as much. The torch isn’t a quote WILD as the Culinary torch,,,but hey were making Crepes…LOL

I think the average reviews on both of them were 4.5-4.6 out of five.

Just waiting now for my RG400 coax to arrive.

To answer your question…NO I haven’t burnt myself….YET

 

[Crawdad]

Hey Thumper, did you buy those for doing PL259s? If so, will be interested in the results you see.

73

 

[NightThumper]

Yes that’s one reason. Especially for soldering the braid to the actual pl259 through the three holes. Especially for the RG400. I’ll let you know how it goes this weekend. I have several cables I’ll be constructing

 

[NightThumper]

OMG…why the hell did I wait so long to embrace RG400. I made a couple of jumpers today using my Weller soldering station with chisel tip and the new butane torch. Used the torch for heating the PL259 and soldering in the three holes, although I only did one. If you get it to hot solder runs everywhere. The highly heat resistant RG-400 and Amphenol connectors were outstanding. So far I haven’t burned myself…LOL

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

OMG…why the hell did I wait so long to embrace RG400.

Perhaps it was the price. Pasternack wants $7.62 per FOOT. Pretty pricey and IMHO definitely NOT worth the price for CB/amateur use except maybe in some UHF and SHF applications involving high power. Learning to properly solder connectors is a LOT cheaper.

 

[NightThumper]

Price wasn’t a consideration. I’m sure my massaging seats, heated/cooled steering wheel, 360 degree camera, and 9 inch Nav center weren’t worth the additional cost to my vehicle. At this point the RG400 is being utilized for jumpers inside the shack. Probably have $500 total invested for the change over from LMR 400/240 ultra-flex. The mini butane torches will serve many purposes including culinary. Amphenol connectors…PL259, adapters, right angle connectors and double male connectors are some the best barr none. When it comes time to change out my antenna coax then heliax or RG316 will be the options, then again maybe LMR400 will continue to suffice.

Agreed that other coax options are fine for the majority of amateur and Cb radio installations. Could have gotten along without two Telepost LP-700’s or a Rigexpert 650. I do subscribe to the “buy once cry one” adage. Should have done that with my first marriage….hahahaha

Properly soldered connectors have served me well for 40 years and will continue to do so. Life is a Kaleidoscope…choose your colors and be happy…for me I choose the Weber Summit grill for all my barbecuing! LOL

 

[Dr_DX]

Perhaps it was the price. Pasternack wants $7.62 per FOOT. Pretty pricey and IMHO definitely NOT worth the price for CB/amateur use except maybe in some UHF and SHF applications involving high power. Learning to properly solder connectors is a LOT cheaper.

$1.25/foot + tax delivered USA seller

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293683010350

https://www.ebay.com/itm/392945812489

Use your Rigexpert and make "tuned" jumpers...

 

[NightThumper]

Dr_DX…same eBay seller I used to purchase the RG400 and some RG316DS along with some pre-made jumpers. The jumpers were outstanding. DonkeyStomper is so funny and painful to watch but I have done what he’s done there with the Antenna Analyzer.

I do use crimp connectors with LMR 240/400 with soldered centers, but never use crimp connectors on any amplifier connections and always use Amphenol PL259’s on any amplifier connections. Same with 45 degree connections or barrel connectors all Amphenol. I try to stay away from any connectors but occasionally you need to. Like going straight from a low pass filter to a common mode choke or a 45 degree when coming off a coupler.

I have experimented on crimp connectors pulling down the crimp sleeve about 1/16 of an inch and then soldering in/around the gap…it works but not sure what I think about it.

Thanks
Brad