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AIR-FORCE ONE
DIY interconnect cable by Guus Das

(page 3)
Preparing the conductor, part 1
 
  • We will use the braided shielding of the 1mm mini-coax.
  • Therefore we need to peel of the outer sleeve without damaging the copper wires. I advise to use a device similar to the one shown left.
  • Drill a small hole, the size of the outside diameter of the cable, in a 5 to 10mm thick block.
  • Attach a scalpel-blade so the point is just slightly over the edge of the hole.
  • Pull the cable slowly through the hole, thus cutting the sleeve.
  • Perform some trail runs prior to the real work.
 


Preparing the conductor part 2
 
  • If all is well, the sleeve can be easily removed.
  • Peel off gently otherwise the cable-part gets all twisted!
  • Best method is to clamp the wire at both ends while peeling the sleeve off.
  • After this, get to the inner cable-parts.
  • With pliers, gently pull it out to get a good grip.
  • Hold the inner part firmly with one hand.
  • Separate the two parts by gently rubbing the shielding downwards between your (clean) fingers. The use of cleanroom gloves is strongly recommended.
  • Each move will separate the parts only a couple of mm's, so be patient.
  • Be careful not to deform the conductor. The shape must stay hollow, see picture right!
  • We now have a silver plated copper braid exposed to air. If nothing is done, this will corrode in time. Even if silver oxide is a good conductor, we want to avoid this.
 


Air-tight assembly of the conductor in the sleeve (1)
  • The hollow conductor has to be closed at the ends.
  • Because the sleeve is bigger than the signal-cable, the gap has to be filled.
  • Both of the above issues are solved using a spiral- wound thin copper wire. Let's call it a "spring".
  • Use a wire with a diameter equal to the gap between the braid and the sleeve. (D_in - d_out)/2.
  • Use a small drill, with a diameter equal to the diameter of the conductor, to wind the spring on.
  • The spring must slide easily over the conductor, but must tight-fit in the sleeve.
 


Air-tight assembly of the conductor in the sleeve (2)
  • Slide the "spring" ~ 20mm over one end of the signal cable.
  • Solder the "spring" with silver solder.
  • Make sure the solder flows all the way through to the center to make the cable air-tight.
  • Also make sure that the solder leaves a smooth surface.
  • Insert the one-side prepared cable into the sleeve.
  • With pliers, insert also the soldered spring into the sleeve. This must be a tight-fit to make it air-tight. If not, make a spring from ticker wire.
  • Mount a spring at the other end of the cable. Solder it very close to the sleeve. Insert this also in to the sleeve.
  • The signal-cable will touch the sleeve only at some incidental points which is part of the concept.
 

 
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