Antenna stud mount with ring connector? How to connect to cable? - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

*inh* · 07-26-2009, 06:53 PM

How would I connect some COAX to it? Do I just leave the sheilding cut and crimp the center conductor to the lug?

**rizzjc** · 07-26-2009, 07:43 PM

Unless the ring is the ground. I'm having trouble picturing the connector you are talking about. Got a photo? Link? The center conductor needs to go to the antenna, and the shield to the ground.

*inh* · 07-26-2009, 08:00 PM

Sorry, thought I linked a pic..

Thats a firestik mount

I would just go with the normal PL-259 plug on the bottom, but im concerned about the weatherproof-ness of that design, seems the ring mount would be more robust.

**rizzjc** · 07-26-2009, 09:09 PM

Yeah, the center on your coax goes to the ring. You'd need to take part of the braid and attach it to the ground, which I guess would be at the "mount surface" shown. That doesn't look like a great way to do it though, but it'll work .... until the wires rust.

The "shoulder washer" is plastic, correct? That's your antennas isolation from ground. But you'd still need to tie your braid on your coax to something. The PL259 might be a safer bet. You can always wrap it or RTV it to keep the weather out.

You don't have any instructions that tell you what to do with the braid?

*inh* · 07-26-2009, 09:20 PM

I haven't bought it yet. Just sourcing parts for order next friday. I'll probably just go with the PL-259 termination for the mount. Thanks for the help =]

Sandy · 09-18-2009, 10:18 AM

IMHO, the Ring Lugs are the best type of connection for the coax for the average CBer.

Ring Lugs are easier to attach, easier to fix, the coax is easier to run through the vehicle without the large PL259 on the end and to radio people the ring Lugs are closer to a 50 ohm match than the standard connector, the PL259.
As I have said before everything in an antenna setup is a compromise even the connector, that is why people use the PL259 it appears easy yo use.

Ring Lug connection on a piece of coax is easy, coax is made up of a (from the center out) center conductor, the foam or plastic insulation, a braided shield and sheathing.

The center conductor and the foam around it connects to the center of the Mounting Stud using a large ring lug.
The braid, should be pulled apart and away from the center foam insulation and then twist the strands together add heat shrink and a smaller ring lug crimped to it. This braid attaches to the mounting plate not the Stud.
Make sure that nothing is shorted between the center and the braid of the coax.
also, make sure the shoulder fiber washers are positioned properly, this is a must, they are insulators and need to be there.
Don't use any type of thread lock, unless it is specifically design for electrical connections and it is conductive.

I hope this isn't too confusing but when you look at the coax and the mount/pic you will see what needs to be done.

Talk to the World...

07-26-2009, 06:53 PM	#1
inh Cooler than Ben! Fort Riley, KS '00 XLS Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,177 Vehicle Specs	Antenna stud mount with ring connector? How to connect to cable? How would I connect some COAX to it? Do I just leave the sheilding cut and crimp the center conductor to the lug? __________________ '96 4x4 4.0 OHV Auto Eddie Bauer -1354 Manual -TT and Shackles -2" BL -33x12.5 BFG A/T tires on 15x8s (RIP) '95 2wd 4.0 OHV Auto XLT -Stock Daily Driver '00 4x4 4.0 OHV Auto XLS See specs on left

07-26-2009, 07:43 PM	#2
rizzjc Scubajoe - Radio Mod Garner, NC '97 AWD V8 XLT Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,817 Vehicle Specs	Unless the ring is the ground. I'm having trouble picturing the connector you are talking about. Got a photo? Link? The center conductor needs to go to the antenna, and the shield to the ground. __________________ *Joe, N1LVN* '97 XLT AWD V8 STOCK Amsoil Synthetics throughout. Amsoil Ea air filter. Bilsteins. Scanguage. Search ExplorerForum

07-26-2009, 08:00 PM	#3
inh Cooler than Ben! Fort Riley, KS '00 XLS Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,177 Vehicle Specs	Sorry, thought I linked a pic.. Thats a firestik mount I would just go with the normal PL-259 plug on the bottom, but im concerned about the weatherproof-ness of that design, seems the ring mount would be more robust. __________________ '96 4x4 4.0 OHV Auto Eddie Bauer -1354 Manual -TT and Shackles -2" BL -33x12.5 BFG A/T tires on 15x8s (RIP) '95 2wd 4.0 OHV Auto XLT -Stock Daily Driver '00 4x4 4.0 OHV Auto XLS See specs on left

07-26-2009, 09:09 PM	#4
rizzjc Scubajoe - Radio Mod Garner, NC '97 AWD V8 XLT Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2,817 Vehicle Specs	Yeah, the center on your coax goes to the ring. You'd need to take part of the braid and attach it to the ground, which I guess would be at the "mount surface" shown. That doesn't look like a great way to do it though, but it'll work .... until the wires rust. The "shoulder washer" is plastic, correct? That's your antennas isolation from ground. But you'd still need to tie your braid on your coax to something. The PL259 might be a safer bet. You can always wrap it or RTV it to keep the weather out. You don't have any instructions that tell you what to do with the braid? __________________ *Joe, N1LVN* '97 XLT AWD V8 STOCK Amsoil Synthetics throughout. Amsoil Ea air filter. Bilsteins. Scanguage. Search ExplorerForum

07-26-2009, 09:20 PM	#5
inh Cooler than Ben! Fort Riley, KS '00 XLS Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,177 Vehicle Specs	I haven't bought it yet. Just sourcing parts for order next friday. I'll probably just go with the PL-259 termination for the mount. Thanks for the help =] __________________ '96 4x4 4.0 OHV Auto Eddie Bauer -1354 Manual -TT and Shackles -2" BL -33x12.5 BFG A/T tires on 15x8s (RIP) '95 2wd 4.0 OHV Auto XLT -Stock Daily Driver '00 4x4 4.0 OHV Auto XLS See specs on left

09-18-2009, 10:18 AM	#6
Sandy Wannabe Elite Explorer Boston Area 2003 Ranger Edge Join Date: Mar 1999 Posts: 1,403 Vehicle Specs	IMHO, the Ring Lugs are the best type of connection for the coax for the average CBer. Ring Lugs are easier to attach, easier to fix, the coax is easier to run through the vehicle without the large PL259 on the end and to radio people the ring Lugs are closer to a 50 ohm match than the standard connector, the PL259. As I have said before everything in an antenna setup is a compromise even the connector, that is why people use the PL259 it appears easy yo use. Ring Lug connection on a piece of coax is easy, coax is made up of a (from the center out) center conductor, the foam or plastic insulation, a braided shield and sheathing. The center conductor and the foam around it connects to the center of the Mounting Stud using a large ring lug. The braid, should be pulled apart and away from the center foam insulation and then twist the strands together add heat shrink and a smaller ring lug crimped to it. This braid attaches to the mounting plate not the Stud. Make sure that nothing is shorted between the center and the braid of the coax. also, make sure the shoulder fiber washers are positioned properly, this is a must, they are insulators and need to be there. Don't use any type of thread lock, unless it is specifically design for electrical connections and it is conductive. I hope this isn't too confusing but when you look at the coax and the mount/pic you will see what needs to be done. Talk to the World... __________________ SandyB, N1MAU/W1IO NnF000@gmail.com Do It Right The First Time !