How to Repair / Splice Coax Cable

SSTJ

SSTJ

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Long story short: my CB's RG-58 coax has been cut in half. I could buy a new one for $20, but I'd rather learn to repair or splice. Besides, it was too long, so I could use the opportunity to cut it down to the perfect length. Any tips?

I see this, but it's more expensive than a new 15' line itself. Or I could add PL-259 connectors to both ends of the cut and connect them with this, but again that's more expensive.
 
Thanks @Irun. Well, the two links you provided are not much more than a new line of coax. Besides, I can't seem to find any coax pre-cut at the right length (I need 13'). So maybe it's worth it.

But hey, I do already have a cutter. And I also have a pretty nice crimper (for regular butt-end connectors) that has lots of different size "teeth" attachments. Can I use that to crimp the female connectors, or do I really need the kind of crimper you linked?

EDIT: Oh, I see that the crimper is for forcing the female connectors down over the wire, not squeezing it from the sides, like my crimper does for butt connectors. New question: my RG-58 has threaded/stranded copper on the inside, but this looks like it's made for coax with a more solid core?
 
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There are solderless PL-259 coax connectors. Try one on one of the cut lengths. One you have learned how to install them you will never waste money on pre-made coax assemblies again.

3757747.jpg
 
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Thanks @Mr. Bills . Yes, I think that's the same as what I linked in my first post. But $20!? If you know of a way/place to but them in bulk for cheaper, I'm all ears.
 
@Irun , will that method work with my coax that has stranded copper core? Seems like I'd have thin strands of copper poking out of that female connector, but I need something more solid, don't I? At least that's what the pics and vid in the link show.
 
SSTJ said:
Thanks @Mr. Bills . Yes, I think that's the same as what I linked in my first post. But $20!? If you know of a way/place to but them in bulk for cheaper, I'm all ears.
Click to expand...

You should expect to pay $8-13 for one of those repair connectors.

You could take the longest length of coax you have, ensure that it is the correct length for your install, then go to an industrial communications company near you (the guys who install business, ambulance, police radios) and pay them to have one of their installers put a new PL-259 on the cut end. Fast; simple; done right; not much money.
 
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Mr. Bills said:
You should expect to pay $8-13 for one of those repair connectors.

You could take the longest length of coax you have, ensure that it is the correct length for your install, then go to an industrial communications company near you (the guys who install business, ambulance, police radios) and pay them to have one of their installers put a new PL-259 on the cut end. Fast; simple; done right; not much money.
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll keep shopping around. I like the look of those connectors, and I'd be happy to buy several if they were under $10.
 
Irun said:
Sounds like what you have isn't RG58, but rather RG8. CB cables are sold in both, with RG8, stranded core, being a better cable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WJ4557M/?tag=wranglerorg-20
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No, it's RG-58 alright. Just read the labeling on the outer shield. It was this one, and the core is stranded.

But either way, does this mean that the tools you linked above will only work for something with a solid core? I guess I wonder the same thing about the connector that @Mr. Bills . Seems like these approaches will only work if there is a solid core that can get pushed into these connectors, but all I have is some flimsy strands.
 
SSTJ said:
No, it's RG-58 alright. Just read the labeling on the outer shield. It was this one, and the core is stranded.

But either way, does this mean that the tools you linked above will only work for something with a solid core? I guess I wonder the same thing about the connector that @Mr. Bills . Seems like these approaches will only work if there is a solid core that can get pushed into these connectors, but all I have is some flimsy strands.
Click to expand...
With stranded I've only used solder type, so I'm no help with the crimp style shown. What I've used before was something like these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085MMRZDM/?tag=wranglerorg-20​


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V4R9CH8/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
Something is telling me that the cable is supposed to be 18' in length to be able to achieve proper SWR readings. I also believe that antennas are factory tuned using an 18' cable.
 
Irun said:
With stranded I've only used solder type, so I'm no help with the crimp style shown. What I've used before was something like these:
Click to expand...

Aha, yes, makes sense that you'd have to solder when using strand-core wire. Well, now I need to buy a soldering iron ... this is adding up.
 
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derekmac said:
Something is telling me that the cable is supposed to be 18' in length to be able to achieve proper SWR readings. I also believe that antennas are factory tuned using an 18' cable.
Click to expand...

Yep, I've read that, but I've also read that it just ain't true. My antenna is tune-able, and once I get my coax to 13', I'll re-tune it. But let's not get off topic, because this comment is sure to spark a lot of passionate replies, whereas in this thread I'm just interested in how to splice.
 
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SSTJ said:
Aha, yes, makes sense that you'd have to solder when using strand-core wire. Well, now I need to buy a soldering iron ... this is adding up.
Click to expand...
If you pay a little bit more, but learn a lot more, it's worth it! ;)
 
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Irun said:
I quit using soldering irons years ago. Now I use this. It also works great for heat shrink tubing, when doing electrical wiring.

https://www.harborfreight.com/butane-micro-torch-63170.html
Click to expand...

You are so bad for my wallet. But yes, this looks great. Works on solder, huh? Interesting. Never would have thought to use a flame instead of an iron.

This isn't the first time I've wanted to solder, so I might go ahead and take that approach. Besides, seems like it's that or just waste the cable and buy a new one. I do like Mr Bill's connectors, but they won't work for my stranded core.

While I have you, do you have any recommendations on other, more general wire connectors, like butt-end connectors? I just have a few that I got from my local hardware shop, but don't know if I'm missing anything that you might know of in terms of good brands, etc. For instance, what do you think of those transparent heat-shrink wraps that have a dab of solder in them too? Any good?
 
SSTJ said:
Yep, I've read that, but I've also read that it just ain't true. My antenna is tune-able, and once I get my coax to 13', I'll re-tune it. But let's not get off topic, because this comment is sure to spark a lot of passionate replies, whereas in this thread I'm just interested in how to splice.
Click to expand...
It ain't true. Just sayin'
 
SSTJ said:
You are so bad for my wallet. But yes, this looks great. Works on solder, huh? Interesting. Never would have thought to use a flame instead of an iron.

This isn't the first time I've wanted to solder, so I might go ahead and take that approach. Besides, seems like it's that or just waste the cable and buy a new one. I do like Mr Bill's connectors, but they won't work for my stranded core.

While I have you, do you have any recommendations on other, more general wire connectors, like butt-end connectors? I just have a few that I got from my local hardware shop, but don't know if I'm missing anything that you might know of in terms of good brands, etc. For instance, what do you think of those transparent heat-shrink wraps that have a dab of solder in them too? Any good?
Click to expand...
I keep it simple. Separate connectors, flux, solder, and heat shrink. Most connectors are decent, so I don't worry about them much. The key is a good soldered connection, coupled with the heat shrink wrap to strengthen it. FWIW, it takes a little practice with the torch. To much flame and you'll burn the wire insulation. If you're worried, practice on some regular wire first. You'll get it!
 
splicing coax can cause some signal loss. but if it's just braided shielding over a solid core, cable Tv fittings could splice it.
 
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