Several have asked me to elaborate after my post regarding using
plumbing fittings to connect to hardline. Here goes:
I have hardline with a solid aluminum shield. The shield is ? inch in
diameter.
I purchase a plumbing fitting that has a compression coupling on one end
that is made for ? inch copper tubing. In other words, the ID of the
compression end is ? inch. I use Penetrox and compress the connection to
the hardline shield. The other end has inside threads for ? inch OD
pipe. I drill out the threads with a ? inch drill. The body of a PL-259
is ? inch. I then solder the PL-259 in place (after removing the center
pin, see below).
I drill out the center conductor pin of a PL-259 with a bit the size of
the diameter of the center conductor of my hardline, which is .172 inch.
The center conductor fits directly, and nicely, into a SO-239. So, I
have a bit of an air dielectric in the brass fittings but works just
fine.
You may have different size hardline, and thusly different dimensions. I
suggest you take a piece of your hardline, a PL-259, and a SO-239 down
to your local professional plumbing supplier and ask them to help.
Gerry Smith, W6TER
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