Reddit reviews Channellock, 911, Cable Cutter, Shear Cut, 9-1/2 In

Never a fan of knives as I can never use them with gloves on. Some guys carry a gerber or leatherman but that is more for convenience.I carry channellock cable cutters for getting myself out of an entanglement.

As for lights, I have a streamlight survivor LED that I love. I got the battery one and just leave it on my coat.

Answers:

1. A cable cutter https://www.amazon.com/Channellock-911-Cable-Cutting-9-5-Inch/dp/B00004SBDG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=cable+cutter&qid=1556237766&s=hi&sr=1-3 makes a nice clean cut; electrician's side cutters squishes the cable https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-J2000-48-Diagonal-Cutters/dp/B0006M6Y8O/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1YQ9ZDYTGHD0N&keywords=side+cutters+klein&qid=1556237820&s=hi&sprefix=side+cutter%2Ctools%2C182&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1 (I use side cutters as my next move is to put an end on it anyways)
   
   
2. Solder, Crimp or Compression connectors plus appropriate tools. Everyone has their favourite and it can become a religious war so I'll say no more. If crimping or compressing, use a ratcheting tool https://www.amazon.com/Hilitchi-Professional-Insulated-Connectors-Ratcheting/dp/B01IQIALJC/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=ratchet+crimp+tool&qid=1556237927&s=hi&sr=1-4 they usually look something like this but note the good handles cost upwards to $100 and the cheap ones (as pictured) aren't worth it as they wear out quickly. You'll also need a set of dies https://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-2656-CrimpALL-8000-Crimper/dp/B000JJGR1S/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=lmr+400+crimp+dies&qid=1556238008&s=hi&sr=1-5-spell for the appropriate size and type of coax. Some websites (DXE, Powerwerx) sell kits of this stuff for Ham use and the value is good.
   
   
3. No rip-off when you consider the value of the tools . . .
   
   
4. You always need a RF connector to attach a cable to anything; you can't splice the stuff and have the impedance remain intact.
   
   
5. Loss is additive in RF and your goal should be to minimize it everywhere and match impedance everywhere. Cheap coax will last a little while, better coax lasts decades - make the investment and you won't be sorry.
   
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A hammer crimper will do the trick. They aren’t exactly pretty but the most expensive one is still cheaper than a off shore hydraulic crimper. I personally have a hydraulic crimper but I work as an installer part time. As for stripping/cutting I use a channellock cable cutter, it goes through 0 AWG like a hot knife through butter. For stripping I close the cutter on the wire sheath and spin it around the wire. Not enough to actually cut through the entirety of the insulation but enough to score it 2/3rds to 3/4ths of the way trough and then pull. It takes a little practice to not cut to far in and cut a bunch of the strands of copper. A razor blade and a steady hand can also be used with great success.

To cut that cleanly without the wire getting unstranded you need one of these. Dont use snips because youll damage them. You can alternatively use a pair of linesman pliers or dykes in a pinch but yeah..they wont cut clean and.theres a tool for that. There may be cheaper options out there, i just listed one.