Phono RCA Leads Make your own You can pay a small fortune for Audio and Video leads, which claim many exotic benefits. However, you can make your own with high-quality cable at a fraction of the price. This article describes how you can make a superb set of leads for just a little effort and very low cost. 
WF65 is normally used for satellite TV and has a very low attenuation at high frequencies, providing negligible attenuation for audio signals and very low for video signals. This cable is available as twin WF65 and single WF65-1 in cut lengths. (Twin WF65 is also available on reels.) Its diameter is approximately 4.5mm, which makes it ideal for use with our phono plugs. Note: gold-plated plugs should be used ONLY with sockets that are also gold-plated. We do not supply gold-plated plugs (but we may do so if there's enough demand). | 
| Slide the plug cover onto the WF65 cable. | | 
| Strip the outer sheath away for about 2 cm. | | Carefully cut through the copper braid, copper foil and white plastic insulation to leave about 5mm length of copper braid-covered white insulator. | | 
| As shown in the photo, the copper braid section must be gripped by the metal "wings" by gently squeezing with pliers. The circular cross-section of the coaxial cable must be maintained and it mustn't be crushed. | | The copper wire core should be passed through the hole in the central tag and carefully soldered to form a good joint. Cut off the excess wire end. If you are really good at soldering, you should be able to fold back the braid and solder it to the metal "wings". This is not essential but it will make the finished job stronger. | | 
| The completed item. | | NOTES 1. The centre tag of the plug is thin and very weak. It snaps easily so, if you plan to make your own leads, please buy extra plugs for practising on. 2. Use a magnifying glass to make absolutely sure that no strand of copper braid can touch the centre tag. 3. The nickel-plated tag and "wings" do not accept solder easily so it's a good idea to "tin" them with solder before you begin the assembly. Shake- or wipe off any excess solder. 4. To strengthen the connection and avoid short-circuits, you could apply hot-melt adhesive. This will also minimise the risk of oxidation (copper oxidises very quickly when exposed to air). Alternatively, you could fill the plug with silicone grease. This will not add strength but it will exclude moisture and air. 5. The WF65 cable is reasonably flexible but is best suited to uses where it will not be moved frequently.
A Better Method? | | 
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| We can offer an 'F' plug to RCA "Phono" plug adapter. | | We can supply WF65 or WF100 cable, single or twin, with 'F' plug fitted or separately. You can screw on the adapter to make a superb RCA "Phono" lead with extremely ow losses and excellent screening. WF65 (thin) is available in white or black. WF100 cable (6mm) is available in white, black, brown, red, yellow and green. |  |
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