LMR 240UF & PL259

[K6JEK]

I'm having trouble putting a regular, soldered PL-259 on LMR 240UF. I can't get the foil off for love nor money.

I have the right adapter, the UG 174 (or whatever), stripped the wire just like they say in the ARRL handbook and as I have been doing for decades with smaller coaxes but can't peel the foil off the center conductor as I have done with other foil under braid coaxes. It is really on there.

Is there a trick to it? I can't imagine I can leave it on. Seems like it would short at center pin.

Teach me to be so old school and not switch to crimped connectors

[Detroit47]

Heat

[WU2D]

This is great coax.

The blue foil is bonded to the gooey center dielectric material. I typically first score the shield with strippers back where you want to remove the section. Then take a blade and make a cut in the foil just enough to get some sharp long nose pliers on the foil. Grab the edge and rotate and the foil should wrap around the pliers.

Another method is to use very sharp diagonal cutters and trim carefully. It will pull off without destroying the dielectric.

Also you can not use regular RG-58 adapters  ibn the PL259 - use one of the larger diameter old RG-59. It fits perfectly or chuck and drill the 58 adapter to size...

[KC2TAU]

So, wait, the UG-176/U reducers do or do not work with LMR-240UF? I'm working on repairing a few cable assemblies and will be needing reducers.

[WU2D]

Correct no workie.  UG176/U-S - Reducer Adapter, Use w/PL259 Silver Plated for RG8X or LMR240

[K6IC]

Jon,

Personally for LMR Coax, whittle the foil shield off of the foam dielectric with a sharp blade.

BuryFlex (TM/r)  is easier to work with,  as the foil is NOT bonded to the foam dielectric,  but,  often BuryFlex is not as easily obtained.

FWIW,  GL    Vic