RG58 Center Pin Solder Question...

[LANKY76]

Hi

Completely new to these forums, and hope this is the best place to post this question, as it is quite a unique one!

To cut a very long story short I have had two coaxial cables repaired in my car - they needed new FAKRA connectors - and due to the cable being a rare RTK031, I found the RG58 connectors fitted fine, although slightly larger than required.

In this dual aerial system, each or both aerials are used when FM signals are weak, therefore both cables need good quality connections on the ends.

When I originally soldered the center pins onto the center conductor, one was perfect and the other was less so - the solder had done its job but I couldn't prevent a blob of solder protruding. Luckily when I fitted the connector this 'blob' wasn't big enough to touch the outer conductor and cause a short.

However my question really is whether this 'blob' of solder will affect the FM signal down this aerial. As far as I know the point of a coaxial cable is for the center conductor and outer conductor to be equidistant throughout the length of the cable. Will this anomaly at the connection end cause any loss or signal problems for me?

Thanks for any help

[KB4QAA]

Wow, I've never heard of that coax or connectors.

There should not be protruding solder on RF connectors. I suggest using a knife to pair down or scrape off the excess or use a small file.

[KF5FEI]

Google is your friend. FAKRA connectors are a square, plastic-housed, push-on antenna connectors on some satellite radio receivers. The cable is apparently 0.125" 50-ohm double-shielded cable used for automotive antennas in Europe.

[LANKY76]

Google is your friend. FAKRA connectors are a square, plastic-housed, push-on antenna connectors on some satellite radio receivers. The cable is apparently 0.125" 50-ohm double-shielded cable used for automotive antennas in Europe.

Thanks,

I suppose the simpler way of asking the question is:

"regardless of coaxial cable type, does any sort of excess solder at the center pin connection increase losses or affect reception compared to a perfectly soldered center pin?"

Thanks again!

[KF6NFW]

I am not familiar with the cable either, but as you describe, This sounds like a strictly receive antenna and coax system,. With that in mind, the short answer is NO. No you will not or should not see any issues with the signal. as long as you did not heat up and cause a short through center conductor insulation to shield. A simple continuity check with any source really will determine such, but best to use a DVM or anaog VM to show such, if you add power like I have seen some attmpt, i hope you are fully aware of the problems of sending a moderate voltage through that coax. So back to the point of topic. hit that glob on end of connector with a jewlers file or a good metal fingernail file also works on small stuff as well.

If you were using system to transmit, i would suggest to properly terminate, as you wont notice it, but it would cause a small signal resistence bump to appear when observed on a Scope. for receice thouggh, this bump still exists, and has same tiny effect but is much less noticble to the equipment.

As long as the center conductor are not shorting to shield or ground, you wont have a problem. and I am also impressed that someone was willing to attempt that, as many aren't conformable about cut and repair, especially on something so different then everything else they know.