SWR before linear

[Shadetree Mechanic]

If you don't solder the braid, it will be ok right up to the point that it's not.

 

[nomadradio]

Sooner or later oxygen gets into the act. The braid will eventually oxidize where it lays against the connector body's surfaces. Heat from high RF current will only speed up the oxygen chemistry. What should be a low-resistance connection from braid to plug has gradually higher resistance. Higher resistance produces yet more heat from the RF current. Gets to be like a downhill snowball.

Solder provides a metal-to-metal current path that the oxygen in the air can't disturb. Makes it last longer.

73