Re: basic pl 259 assembley ?
Hi intrepid, the way I install Pl-259's is this, slide the shell part of the Pl-259 on the coax with the correct end first or you'll be doing this twice, then cut off 3/4 of an inch of the cable all the way to the center conductor but do not nick the center conductor, then remove 5/16 of an inch of the outer insulation down to the braid, again avoid nicking, then tin the braid and slide the connector on and solder the center conductor and the braid through the 4 holes, that should do it. <br />The radio will receive without the braid connected, but don't transmit until you get it fixed, depending on the radio it may cook the output stage. It sounds like the braided wire is shorted to the center conductor, that's why it receives without the braid connected and with the rubber insulator you used.
<br /><br />I have one of those shakspear antennas , the 3 ft kind <br /><br />it comes with a pl259 conector , I've tried to put it together but the only way it works is if I do not connect the braided wire to anything , <br /><br />I've soldered in the center wire and the radio works , I think it recieves anyway <br /><br />Should the braid be soldered to the body of the pl259 connector and in my cases since it is not why is the radio working.<br /><br />In fact I have a rubber insulator I've put in the connector to isolate the braid .<br /><br />thaks