Simple Guide To Install PowerPole Connectors in 2024!

This video shows the method I use for crimping power pole connectors. I present this in a way that should be easy to remember:
4 steps:
Cut It, Strip it, Crimp it, Click it
**********Remember - Black on the Left, Red on the Right, Crimp it DOWN tonight.*********
Reasons why a Ham Radio Operator may choose Power Pole connectors:
Reliability, Easy to use, Pretty much a standard, Versatile, Customizable.
Why are powerpole connectors a standard in ham radio setups? They make everything about your setup stronger, simpler, and safer. Hit like if you’re thinking of upgrading your connectors and subscribe for more talk about getting the most out of your ham radio gear with powerpoles.
LINKS TO ITEMS in the video (where possible, links are affiliate links. i may make money off the sale of the items listed. If you find it cheaper elsewhere, no problem):
**********************************************************************************************
Powerpole connectors - Not used in the video but frequently use - amzn.to/43vvPGg
25 ft Powerwerx 12AWG - amzn.to/49hpekg
25 ft BNTECHGO 12 AWG - amzn.to/49bu5Dt
Felo Stripper - amzn.to/49aVmpA
Crimper - www.westmountainradio.com/pro...
Knife to slice it - Gifted by ‪@hamradiotube‬ Thanks Mike. amzn.to/4a4Woop
***********************************************************************************************
#hamradio
#amateurradio

[@dougdaniels]

An eye glass repair flathead screwdriver helps seat the metal connector into the plastic housing. Also, if you're using thinner wire (e.g. 18 #) with a 30 amp connector, strip back double the wire, fold it over and crimp it.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

This is a great to tip, thanks!

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

I think this video might be the SHORTEST and most straight-forward video about installing Powerpoles... I can NEVER remember which way the internal connector goes... Thanks for the video! 73!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I appreciate it!

[@MrTommy001]

Wish I had seen this video before I did my first PowertPole project.

[@chrismosquad1056]

I have installed and already know how to install power poles, but I want to say I wish there was a nice video around like this when I was learning. Strong work!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thank You!

[@WolfQuantum]

I got a little hands-on instruction when our ham club was set up for an event. I power-poled three or four things up. That was back in early March. Fast forward to today and I was trying to remember which went up and which went down. This was a great reminder. If I was learning it for the first time. This would have been a great instructional video. Instruction "by the numbers" for anyone who served in the Army. At least in the last century like I did. LOL.

[@anthonymarino4260]

thanks for sharing

[@jeffjohansen4945]

Great video very informative!

[@patrikhodel]

Tnx for your help!

[@timel64]

You gad me at Stripers from Germany... But seriously I see many people solder after crimping. Red on Right, contact down, got it. I can't count how many I had to turn 180 deg. I always have to use a small flat screwdriver to get contact to seat. sometimes have to bend contact to get started. But may be due to Amazon knock-offs.

[@KN4VA]

So far one of the best explanations I have seen. Thank you. 73, KN4VA

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thank you!

[@AlvinMcManus]

Best video on this subject for us noobs I've ever seen. Thank you for the clear, concise language and the great mnemonic. 73 de KN6XZI

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks much!

[@mikeangelastro7648]

Good video, thanks!🇺🇸

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Sean, Great tutorial. I learned another mnemonic "Red on right read the A". 73 WJ3U

[@canadavey]

You could tin the wires before crimping them for added rigidity and then hit the crimped connection with a bit more solder to seal the deal. That's what I do. Some will say it's not needed, some will say it's better.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks!

[@JT-py9lv]

*GREAT TUTORIAL*

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ChrisKD9YSW]

Could not make the premier but glad I was able to get to see what it was about. Thanks for the pointers on using powerpoles, just got some so it will be helpful

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Glad I could help!

[@ChrisKD9YSW]

@@HAMRADIODUDE your one of a kind and hopefully one day our paths will cross

[@ArthurHerronW6HER]

I learned it as “Red on the right with the tongue on top”….great video Sean🤟🏻

[@bigfootape]

Or if you're not sure, look through the end of the PP shell. Tongue should be toward the metal spring.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ThinKkBIGG]

Wikipedia: ''For use in amateur radio, the community has adopted a standard color code, polarity, and specific physical arrangement for assembling pairs of Powerpole connectors. One red and one black powerpole housing can be physically arranged in 4 topologically different mechanical orientations (red left, red right, red top, red bottom-when viewed from contact side with tongue up), 2 of which are mechanically incompatible (connectors won't mate with ARES) and 1 is electrically incompatible (will mate but reverse polarity) with the ARES standard; there are also additional unusual configurations in which one housing is rotated 90 degrees. The standard is red positive and black negative. When viewed from the contact side, a mnemonic for remembering the arrangement is: "Red [on] Right - Tongue [on] Top" (note the first letter alliteration).''

[@robertmeyer4744]

That small power workx tool is great .I got the big kit with crimper power poles contacts . removal/insert tool some pins . great set. I have them in a bunch of colors . that little tool can be used to pull them out if you need to. gets between spring and contact. a little twist and easy out it comes. they have them in bigger sizes . up to 350 amp ones. both SB and power pole series. true Anderson is UL listed. the SB ones rated 600V AC/DC . first on market in 1950's . used world wide today. some coolers and power stations like YETI turn them 90 deg when put together . easy to change. the normal ham way is called horizontal . the outher way is veritable like some YETI and outher brands. they sell sockets/plugs that way. power worx has all. great pure copper wire . even Mag wire and PTFE wire. my main source of them. the Amazon ones some ,they have true Anderson as well. . China nock off have a weak spring and not silver plated contacts. they work but loose connection or run hot or just fall apart. the real ones click together and stay together. they have a small clip to hold them in place as well . came in the big kit bag. good stuff. 73's

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Huh that's really interesting! I don't know that I've ever seen a Yeti with powerpoles but now I am going to be on the lookout! As for the weak springs on the knockoffs, I agree!

[@antonnovoselov7935]

Спасибо, Брат, полезное видео

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

My pleasure

[@KevinBasilMagnus-sy7rm]

🎉THANKYOU AWESOMR🎉🎉

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thank You

[@RichardHopkinsLobosSolos]

Now when you were talking about where on the strippers to put the wire, was that nine or nein?

[@ChrisB_NC]

I bought both cheap chinese and the official powerpoles. The cheap ones are good for experimenting or practicing with installation. I use only the genuine powerpoles for all my permanent connections and cables.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I make these quick connect/disconnect radial wires with the aftermarket PP connectors. They do okay, and allow for a quick disconnect in case someone trips over the wire. :)

[@ChrisB_NC]

Great Idea! I will do that! Thanks for all that you do! 73

[@billmcilwee566]

Well explained and good video. Thanks. 73, KF0NNQ.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Glad you enjoyed it and it was helpful! Thanks!

[@brickerhaus]

Now would you solder it? I like to tin the wires sometimes if I have time. Makes it easier to slide the wires into the ferroles. But the good part is, you don't have to if you don't want to. It is only a preference. It might be a good idea on the cheaper ones though if they have corrosion issues.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

As I understand, soldering would seem more durable but could create breaking points because of the extra rigidity.

[@martinsalt1839]

Thanks for the video. Where is the link for the crimp insertion tool please ? I find attaching 15A Powerpoles to thin guage wire virtually impossible because the wire always buckles.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

amzn.to/4cwyhjM . Yes smaller gauge without one is difficult. Like on the xiegu or ic705 power cable. Good luck!

[@andrewrudlang2785]

I am one of those people who also do a dab of solder to hedge their bet 🙃

[@kb9liq]

Picked up a mobile with these on it and not sure if I want to cut them off or start using them. Only other radio I have ever had with them I traded it away instead of dealing with them

[@CC-hk6vy]

Can you please.do.the exact same type video.for PL259 and SO239? Great, simple.. You could have a series like this, the top 10 ham radio non-operating skills, like these. THANKS de WO8USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks for the video Idea. I am certain I can, but will need a bit of time to do it. (Tax season)

[@Pau006]

My red cable keeps buckling, can’t get it in. Any tips?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Sure. Edgar gauge wire Are you using? The powerworks tool, a small flat head or similar may be needed.

[@Pau006]

@@HAMRADIODUDE 40ah. Small flat head, you suggesting stick that down the back to push it through?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

That's about right. Here's a video example kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z16YXmqQa6-tjpYsi=81qOUfXPKQJj0CNb. Good luck!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

. If you found this helpful, Can you please share this with someone or any groups who may get some benefit out of this? Thanks.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

@@don_n5skt Hey Don, Thanks. Where do you see see a link to my store, so I can correct it? I appreciate it

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Disregard, I found it. THANKS!

[@don_n5skt]

@@HAMRADIODUDE In the description of this video at the bottom. BTW, I removed the comment on purpose because I knew you would correct it.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

@@don_n5skt Thanks so much, I probably wouldn't have seen it, truthfully! Teamwork makes the dreamwork

[@enginedave]

I solder

[@mewintle]

I’ve made a bunch on my own, and they worked. But I used cheap tools instead of the proper ($40) ones. It worked, but it was not easy. I was hoping this video would show me how to do this without having to get such a specialized tool. Nope. The instructions are to just use the special tool and crimp it.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Oh I see. My simple way to memorize and help install powerpoles got confused with a simple shortcut or hack.

[@mewintle]

@@HAMRADIODUDE sorry.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

It's not you, It was my title. I changed it to show it to be more accurate. Sorry for the trouble

[@AlvinMcManus]

9=9mm or almost .5 inch.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Makes sense to me. somewhere around 12.5mm is a 1/2 inch and I as just under. Thanks.

[@ThinKkBIGG]

Tongue UP, Red Right.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I just demonstrated tounge down, red on the right.... what did I miss

[@ThinKkBIGG]

@@HAMRADIODUDESee the article from ''Santa Clara County, California ARES/RACES Anderson Powerpole Connectors'' Since I can't paste the address here... ''Easy way to remember the orientation: "Red on the right, tongues up, away from you." If you use this rule when clamping the black/red wires for soldering, you will be easily able to insert them both into the housings.'' The tongue in the air is the bump not the tip... You showed ''tongue up''. Also see Wikipedia. ''When viewed from the contact side, a mnemonic for remembering the arrangement is: "Red [on] Right - Tongue [on] Top" (note the first letter alliteration).'' Do a Google search and you'll see! 73!

[@ThinKkBIGG]

@@HAMRADIODUDE See the article from ''Santa Clara County, California ARES/RACES Anderson Powerpole Connectors'' Since I can't paste the address here... ''Easy way to remember the orientation: "Red on the right, tongues up, away from you." If you use this rule when clamping the black/red wires for soldering, you will be easily able to insert them both into the housings.'' The tongue in the air is the bump not the tip... You showed ''tongue up''. Also see Wikipedia. ''When viewed from the contact side, a mnemonic for remembering the arrangement is: "Red [on] Right - Tongue [on] Top" (note the first letter alliteration).'' Do a Google search and you'll see! 73!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Here is the link www.scc-ares-races.org/hardware/andersonpp.html It's literally the same thing I am doing, but they are looking at their connector opposite of mine. I don't want to reach around to insert the wire, it doesn't feel natural.

[@ThinKkBIGG]

I don't understand, my message is not displayed. Sorry if there is a duplicate! See the article from ''Santa Clara County, California ARES/RACES Anderson Powerpole Connectors'' Since I can't paste the address here... Quote: ''Easy way to remember the orientation: "Red on the right, tongues up, away from you." If you use this rule when clamping the black/red wires for soldering, you will be easily able to insert them both into the housings.'' The tongue in the air is the bump not the tip... You showed ''tongue up''. Also see Wikipedia. Do a Google search and you'll see! 73!

[@nr3rful]

Never could understand how connections that are so "finicky " became the world standard...😢

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

What do you recommend? Thanks

[@nr3rful]

@@HAMRADIODUDE There are numerous male to female quick disconnect plugs on the market.

[@TurboNorm]

Very helpful for this relatively new ham guy. Thanks. KI5YUU

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Happy to help!