The PL259 Curse - Fixed!

Have you got any of those annoying PL259 plugs that won't tighten up because they run out of thread on the SO239 socket? I finally lost patience with two good patch leads that I've had for a few years when I was testing some equipment in the shack. I needed a new patch lead and the plugs were simply too long and didn't fit anything...I tried. Just a quick video with a fix if you've got nothing to lose and they're destined for the bin anyway...
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Thanks.
Ian.

[@RB9522]

You have the right fix for this problem. The real problem is that the grey box (balun?) is fitted with M style connectors. They have shorter threads than traditional SO-239 sockets. Those of us in Japan find this problem all the time. Thankfully, the big manufacturers (ICOM, Yaesu, Kenwood, etc.) know to use SO-239 connectors.

[@ianxfs]

@@RB9522 Yes, I’ve tried these on all sorts of sockets, rigs, accessories etc and they just run out of thread. Sorted now 😁

[@garyclark1000]

Hi Ian, Thanks for the video I have just changed my coax in the shack from the heavy rg213 to the bettr and more managable rg400 for high power use. I bought a load of pl259s and had the same issues with short threads on some of my older kit (the kenwood sm200 monitor scope have for example.) My solution was sorted by seeing your video and using my bench belt sander (with the connector un assembled) with a metal sanding belt. It worked a treat! Thanks for the top tip!

[@ianxfs]

@@garyclark1000 Glad you’re sorted Gary 👍🏻

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Thanks for this Ian, I'll be having a look at all my PLs now, some are cheap ones some are M&P ones. 73s

[@ianxfs]

@@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF No probs Steve. Easy fix if you have some iffy ones 👍🏻

[@georgeholman6745]

That has to be the most precision handheld hacksaw work I have ever seen. Had I done the same thing the same way they would have ended up in the trash. I would not have been able to deal with how ugly they would have turned out. (And no, I'm not kidding.)

[@ianxfs]

@@georgeholman6745 Ha ha George. I picked the small one and treated myself to a new blade before going in for the kill 😁

[@Rubedo777]

Exactly my thoughts. That was a pretty amazing piece of hacksawing.73.

[@g7pku_g7pkv_m7eaf]

Thank you so much for making this video Ian. I just checked the box of 10 compression PL-259's that I purchased from M0mat a couple of years ago, and unfortunately they won't tighten up on my Hyendfed antenna that I planned to install this weekend. Fortunately, I haven't soldered them to the coax yet. They do fit my rig and other accessories, though. Hopefully, my neighbour will be able to help me by using his lathe. If not, I'll have to dust off the old Dremel.

[@ianxfs]

@@g7pku_g7pkv_m7eaf No problem. Have fun with the antenna install. Hope all goes. Well 👍🏻

[@g7pku_g7pkv_m7eaf]

@@ianxfs good news, the Dremel worked and I didn't have to cut off the centre conductor. Thanks again for the great video. Keep up the the good work. 73's de G7PKU

[@vincei4252]

Hi Ian, a lathe helps too, much cleaner and smooth cut. Have to do it before cable installation though. Cheers!

[@ianxfs]

@@vincei4252 Thanks Vince. No lathe at this end I’m afraid 🙁

[@adamap2796]

That workbench of yours have seen some service lad 💪😂

[@ianxfs]

@@adamap2796 Yes Adam, I need to treat myself to a new one 😀 I’d love a workshop or even just a fixed workbench, but I haven’t go the space…oh well…

[@adamap2796]

@@ianxfs big garden timber workshop is the answer. Money we’ll spent.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, same idea! You beat me to it!

[@ianxfs]

Nice to get them to conform in the end 😁👍🏻

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Nice video Ian. It seems to me that this is quite a recent phenomena.. I don't remeber this being a problem years ago when i was in business selling this stuff. Nice work around though.

[@ianxfs]

@@ZL1BQDRoly Yes Roly. Not sure of the manufacturing source and I can’t recall where I originally purchased these from.

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

I wonder if it is the plug of socket that is out of spec? The sockets that I find to hand are threaded all the way down.

[@ianxfs]

@@KeepEvery1Guessing Hi, yes it’s the plug. Various sockets on rigs and accessories just run out of thread. Front and rear case mounted. Sorted now anyway 👍🏻

[@peterhatfield]

This item should be titled "The (out of spec) SO239 Curse"

[@ianxfs]

I've tried them on all sorts Peter and they're just too long. Rigs, meters, analysers and adapters....sorted now anyway 🙂

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Done this too Ian although using my bandsaw. Always mean to take my remaining unfitted ones over to my dads and turn the excess off on his lathe for a tidier job. Conversely. If you buy all M0MAT items they all fit without mods.

[@ianxfs]

Thanks Colin and for the tip 👍🏻

[@kevlark]

I sorted some I had in my lathe. even some of the compression types that are fully threaded are too long for some SO239's, especially those where the SO239 flange is inside the equipment panel.

[@ianxfs]

@@kevlark Yes agreed. Some are mounted inside and others outside. Annoyingly, these PLs didn’t like either 🙁

[@SuburbanDXing]

Good video, Ian. I had the same issue with Messi and Paoloni PL-259s; they would not stay tight (2 different ones ordered a year apart from each other). I replaced them with crimp-on DX Engineering PL-259s and those work perfectly. I may try this trick to see if that solves the issue, but I do worry about stray cutting fragments. 73! de WX0V

[@ianxfs]

@@SuburbanDXing Strange, you’d think M&P would be spot-on. Yes, need to clean out the debris when finished sawing 👍🏻

[@davidfalconer8913]

What an EXCELLENT info video ! ... FYI , having worked on VHF equipment ( 150 MHz , Ship to Shed ... sorry ( Heh ! ) Ship to shore , SOLAS stuff ... the RCA audio phono systen is OK and VERY CHEAP , for VHF ..... DAVE™🛑

[@ianxfs]

@@davidfalconer8913 Thanks Dave.

[@charleswoods2996]

Thanks! However, if I ever run into such a calamity, I'll use a Dremel tool and not cut the tip off of the center conductor.

[@ianxfs]

@@charleswoods2996 Yes Charles. However, in my case the centre would be too long I think? Anyway, chopped ‘n sorted, so now usable again 👍🏻😀

[@willian.direction6740]

Great Hack well done.

[@ianxfs]

@@willian.direction6740 Thanks William 👍🏻

[@VE1PS]

Would not a rotary tool (Dremel) with a cutting wheel not be a little faster and allow you to avoid the centre conductor? Just a thought.

[@ianxfs]

@@VE1PS yes, that would work too 👍🏻 I wanted the centre to be cut too though to ensure it’s not too long. Easy to check beforehand with a Dremel etc. Thanks 😀

[@paulstubbs7678]

I've also heard of some Chinese vendors selling connectors with a different thread pitch meaning then would only screw on a few turns before stopping, again with everything loose.

[@ianxfs]

@@paulstubbs7678 Oh joy 🙁

[@ehsnils]

The unreliability (nut is grounding conductor) and shortcomings (not watertight) of the PL/SO connectors have made me prefer N connectors wherever possible.

[@ianxfs]

@@ehsnils Yes, I use N types above 30MHz…

[@keithlockstone6721]

I advise everyone to totally change the connector. I had a situation with some of those where the centre pin could rotate. This meant that after a few dozen insertions the coax core broke. Also the insulator that holds the pin is loose within the connector body. Overall a bad design. Keith M0KIL.

[@ianxfs]

@@keithlockstone6721 Thanks for that Keith 👍🏻

[@boxingday11]

Great…. I thought it was just me ending up with this problem, happened a good few times now, I ended up putting them on a bench grinder, just watch your fingers 👍

[@ianxfs]

Yes, a grinder will make short work of ‘em too 👍🏻

[@tommyboy9998]

I hate these style of 259 MORE than i hate XLR Jacks. And that's saying something. Infuriating. Nice fix mind ;)

[@ianxfs]

Right pain.

[@miker8379]

Problem on some radios especially cb’s. Sometimes a 90 degree elbow can be a fix.

[@ianxfs]

@@miker8379 Thanks Mike 👍🏻

[@harrysanders9941]

Tubing cutter??

[@ianxfs]

Yes, possibly. They’re a bit thick and need clamping somehow…Thanks 😀

[@MirlitronOne]

...and while you're about it, change everything to BNC!

[@ianxfs]

@@MirlitronOne I’ve got N-Types above 30MHz and PL259s for HF 👍🏻

[@Destroy_Communism]

No BNC other than QRP or test equipment for me.

[@ScatManAust]

Been there done that too, but why??? Why should we have to resort to this butchery when a PL259 should be a PL259 should be a PL259, at least the critical dimensional features. Another PIA is the thread pitch on some of the sockets I've come across being slightly finer whereby the plug wont screw on fully because of a different thread pitch/ form. Again, where have all the STD's gone in industry

[@RB9522]

There are two types of connectors, M and SO, they have different specs. This won't work: M

[@ianxfs]

@@ScatManAust Yes, odd when there must be a standard to conform to…

[@FishingFan2]

Cheap Chinese rubbish no doubt.

[@ianxfs]

@@FishingFan2 Yes, possibly…

[@charlesharkin2165]

A bench grinder will do allow the collar to rotate against the side of the grind wheel i had ten to grind back does a neat job

[@ianxfs]

@@charlesharkin2165 Great Charles 👍🏻