F-connector has unstretchable outer covering.

[micky]

In the attic, my co-ax F-connector has separated from the coax, and
because of the age, 35 years, and the occaisional heat**, the white
vinly covering doesn't strech enough to replace the F-connector.

What to do?

I can strip the outer vinyl back and then just crimp on the braid.
Would that be okay?

If not, what? Running a new cable is almost beyond me now that I'm 35
years older.



**Roof fan all this time which kept it undder 85 or 90, except a few
days when the fan was broken.

[John-Del]

First determine if it's RG59 or 60, then acquire the appropriate connector. Cut off the old end and strip back to fresh copper and braid. If you don't have a crimping tool and don't want to invest in one, you can get thread on type F connectors.

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Coaxial-Connector-Weather-73512/dp/B003YKG9FS

If you must do it this way, I'd give it a little coating of dielectric grease before threading it all together.

Probably last 10 to 20 more years assuming the cable is in good shape.

[micky]

In sci.electronics.repair, on Sun, 2 Feb 2020 05:22:36 -0800 (PST),

Thanks. When I was doing all this, I bought the hexagonal crimping
pliers that look like pliers. Sometime since, maybe at a yard sale, I
found the one that look like some advanced weapon, and has more
leverage, also with 2 hexagonal holes, but I don't think I've ever had a
chance to use it. This is my chance.

[Michael Terrell]

On Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 8:22:39 AM UTC-5, John-Del wrote:
> On Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 12:41:24 AM UTC-5, micky wrote:

> > In the attic, my coax F-connector has separated from the coax, and
> > because of the age, 35 years, and the occasional heat**, the white
> > vinyl covering doesn't stretch enough to replace the F-connector.
> >
> > What to do?

Cut off an inch or two and install a new connector properly.

You can add a short jumpper and connect it with a F-61 adapter.

You may find that the cable is beyond reuse due to age rather than heat.

Some cheap brands used too little plasticizer, so it has evaporated and the the sheath is cracking. Jersey Specialty and Radio Shack both come to mind for this failure.

I used to maintain CATV head end equipment for a major MSO and I specified what bulk supplies to buy. We only bought Belden or Times coax for our drop and premise wiring.

If the old cable isn't any good and not nailed down I have stripped the end of new and old cable and used a Western Union splice on the center conductors to pull in new coax. It helps to spiral a piece of thin electrical tape over the open part, but if the holes are big enough you can shake he coax and get it through the hole.

> First determine if it's RG59 or 60,

RG6, not 60

[Michael Terrell]

As long as the dies aren't worn the second tool is the one you want. There are even fancier tools with interchangable dies for specific cables and connectors They are quite expensive. We used them for some custom microwave cables at on job.