How To Make Coaxial Patch Cables

Step 1: To begin, cut the cable so that the end of the cable is nice and clean. Then, after adjusting the cable stripper for your cable type, clip the stripper onto the end of the cable as shown below. You may want to test the stripper on a scrap piece of cable first to make sure the blade is set at the proper height and not cutting through the shielding / ground wire where we will be crimping the connector.

Step 2: Twist the stripper around the wire two or three times. Keep in mind that, depending on how the stripper is setup, you may need to spin the stripper more then 3 times. In any case, spin the stripper until the core has been reached and the jacket has been cut. Then remove the loose pieces of cut jacket, dielectric insulation, and shielding ground wire.

Step 3: Fold the shielding ground wires back like pictured here. This will allow the wires to be pushed back when installing the connector. We do not want the shielding to make contact with the center conductor as this could cause a short at some point down the road. Also make sure the ground wire shielding is not cut through and falling apart.

Step 4: Insert the cable into the connector. Again making sure all the ground wires are pushed back. You will be able to see on the inside of the connector when the dielectric (white section in the picture) is flush with the inside of the connector. This is right where you want it to be. Make sure to twist connector as your putting it on, as this will ensure the ground wires will make contact with the connector.

Step 5:Using a Crimp Tool, crimp down the connector. This specific crimp tool prevents over crimping the connector with a locking device that only allows crimping to a determined level, insuring a perfect crimp. Be aware, however, that other crimp tools may not have this feature.