The next return loss bridge I am going to make, uses semi-rigid coax cable and N
connectors.
De N connectors are part number 82-6099-RFX from Amphenol (datasheet_82-6099-RFX.pdf).
The semi-rigid cable is type RG402 from Pro-power (datasheet
RG402_Pro-power.pdf).
This coax has a copper tubing as outer conductor.
On this page is shown how you attach this semi-rigid coax to these N connectors.
First cut the coax to the desired length.
Eventually keep some extra length, so you can shorten it when you fit it in it's
final position.
Also some extra cm's cable is useful when you want to bend the semi rigid cable
by hand near the end of the cable, because it is quite "rigid".
Figure 1: strip the coax cable over a length of 3.5 mm.
You can do this with a sharp knife.
Be careful not to cut the centre conductor.
Clean the copper tubing where it is to be soldered, with fine sandpaper, Scotch-Brite
or something similar.
And remove all copper particles from the coax.
Figure 2: place the nut over the tubing, and the small Teflon ring over the centre
conductor.
Apply some solder to the centre conductor and in the back of the connector
pin.
Solder the connector pin onto the centre conductor.
The surplus of solder tin comes out of a small hole in the connector pin, you
can later scrape this off with a knife.
Figure 3: solder the nut to the tubing.
Use a hot soldering iron with high capacity (large soldering tip) for this.
The nut should stop exactly where the Teflon ring begins.
The solder should flow all the way through the nut towards the Teflon ring.
Figure 4: for longer coax cables, you better place the coax in the vice, instead of the
connector pin.
But make sure, you not shift the nut from it's place during soldering.
Figure 5: after soldering, clean the front surface of the nut from any solder flux that
has come out.
Figure 6: screw the nut firmly into the connector housing.
Figure 7: bend the coax by hand to the desired shape, try to avoid the use of pliers, as
these can damage the coax.
Cut and strip the other end of the coax to exactly the length you need.
