Cellular Antenna Installations - Use The Right Crimp Tool
Around 50% of customer complaints originate from poor connections. Connector crimping is one of the simplest and yet most important processes of any installation, and as poor crimping can result in dropped calls or static, should be done as professionally as possible.
If you are currently using pliers for crimping you are not giving your customers the service they deserve. A hex-type ratchet controlled crimper is the tool you need to do the most professional job. The cost of one of these tools is anywhere from $60 - $400 - which you could easily spend on replacing failed crimps the next time a customer complains.
Cellular TNC and Mini-UHF connectors are fragile. They require a good hex-type die on a tool to generate even pressure on each flat side of the crimp. But this pressure must be applied only once (ratcheted tools ensure this). Applying too much pressure repeatedly on the connector could easily distort the centre conductor, or split the shield or collar resulting in a poor termination.
All good crimpers have a pin crimp space for the centre conductor pin of the connector, which must be securely crimped to avoid static. On a crimp-type connector never solder this pin. In most cases you will overheat the connection and cause the centre dielectric insulator to shrink and retract.
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